HB 71 - Companion Animal Protection Act

• Establishes minimum care standards for animal shelters including identification checks, lost/found record maintenance, and internet posting of stray animals with owner contact information.

• Requires 5 business day holding periods for stray animals (2 days for redemption, 3 for transfer/adoption) and same holding period for owner-relinquished animals available for full period; excludes cats for sterilization, rabid animals, court-determined dangerous dogs, and animals with irremediable physical suffering.

• Mandates daily care including fresh food and water, exercise, psychological enrichment, twice-daily cage cleaning, and veterinary care including vaccinations, pain management, and antibiotics to maintain reasonable animal condition.

• Requires shelter directors to notify rescue organizations at least 2 business days before euthanasia and offer them opportunity to take the animal; prohibits euthanasia based solely on holding period expiration or breed/age/appearance and requires eight conditions met before euthanasia, including written certification by director.

• Specifies euthanasia procedures must use lethal intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital by licensed veterinarians or certified technicians, with pre-sedation, humane handling, death verification, and prohibition on animals witnessing the process.

• Takes effect July 1, 2016.