Minnesota Companion Animal Protection Act Summary

• Establishes minimum holding periods for stray animals (5 business days) and owner-relinquished animals (3 days) before euthanasia is permitted.

• Requires sheltering agencies to provide daily food, water, exercise, environmental enrichment, veterinary care, and twice-daily cage cleaning for all impounded animals.

• Mandates agencies maintain registries of rescue organizations willing to accept animals and notify them at least 24 hours before euthanizing any savable animal; no fees may be charged for transferred animals.

• Prohibits killing savable animals solely due to expired holding periods; killing only permitted when cages are full, foster homes unavailable, registered organizations refuse the animal, and director certifies no alternatives exist.

• Specifies euthanasia must be by intravenous sodium pentobarbital injection performed by licensed veterinarians or certified technicians, with multiple verification methods required to confirm death, and establishes public reporting requirements for shelter statistics.