Senate Bill 419 Summary

• Expands regulatory oversight of animal facilities by adding "animal rescues" and "large-scale breeders" to the definition of entities regulated under Michigan's companion animal sales and adoption law.

• Requires animal rescues and large-scale dog breeding kennels (defined as facilities with more than 15 intact female dogs over 4 months old) to register with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and comply with minimum housing and care standards.

• Establishes vaccination, parasite treatment, and health certificate requirements for dogs and cats imported or sold by pet shops, shelters, rescues, and large-scale breeding kennels before entry into Michigan.

• Requires animal control shelters, animal protection shelters, and animal rescues to mandate spay/neuter contracts for adoptions, with deposits of at least $25 and liquidated damages of $100 or actual costs for contract breaches.

• Allows shelters and rescues to conduct criminal background checks on prospective adopters and deny adoption to individuals with animal abuse convictions unless at least 5 years have elapsed since conviction.