MN SF1204

Establishes the Minnesota Companion Animal Protection Act (sections 346.60-346.71) setting comprehensive standards for public and private animal sheltering agencies and rescue groups.

Requires shelters to hold stray animals for five business days (two days without ID, three days with ID) and owner-relinquished animals for three days before considering euthanasia.

Mandates shelters provide fresh food, water, daily exercise, veterinary care, environmental enrichment, and twice-daily cage cleaning for all impounded animals during their entire shelter stay.

Prohibits killing savable animals unless cages are full, foster homes unavailable, registry organizations unwilling to accept the animal, and all mandated programs are exhausted; requires director certification of no alternatives.

Establishes registry of rescue organizations willing to accept animals; shelters must notify registered groups at least 24 hours before euthanasia and cannot kill animals if any group agrees to take possession within two business days at no fee.

Requires euthanasia only by licensed veterinarian or certified technician using intravenous sodium pentobarbital injection, with multiple death verification methods and humane protocols; prohibits neuromuscular blocking agents.

Mandates public posting of annual statistics and monthly summaries on animal impoundments, adoptions, transfers, returns to owners, deaths, and euthanizations by species and type.