FL H0823

Creates section 823.151 of Florida Statutes requiring animal shelters, humane organizations, and animal control agencies to adopt written policies ensuring quick and reliable return of lost or stray dogs and cats to their owners.

Mandates screening for identification (tags, licenses, microchips, tattoos) upon intake and public notice within 48 hours of animal admission.

Requires notification of identified owners within 48 hours using telephone, email, mail, or personal service, and allows animal control officers to directly return animals to owners in the field.

Establishes minimum access requirements including at least one weekend day per week and after 5:00 p.m. one weekday per week for owners to retrieve animals.

Requires procedural safeguards including record verification and universal microchip scanning immediately prior to euthanasia, and allows temporary extension of stray hold periods after presidential or gubernatorial disaster declarations.

Makes all related records available to the public under chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.

Effective date: July 1, 2018.