CS/HB 473 - Animal Welfare Summary

• Creates s. 823.151, F.S., requiring animal shelters and humane organizations to adopt written policies ensuring lost and stray dogs and cats are quickly returned to owners, particularly after disasters like hurricanes.

• Mandates shelter procedures including: screening animals for identification within intake, public notice within 48 hours of admission, owner notification attempts within 48 hours, weekend and evening access hours, and microchip scanning before euthanasia.

• Authorizes courts to prohibit animal cruelty offenders from owning, possessing, or having custody or control over any animal for a court-determined period.

• Increases penalties for animal cruelty violations, including minimum mandatory fines and psychological counseling for torture/torment cases, and 6-month minimum incarceration for second or subsequent violations.

• Effective date: July 1, 2018.