NJ A1110

Veterinary facilities in New Jersey that do not provide overnight supervision must obtain a signed consent form from pet owners before unsupervised overnight stays of domestic companion animals

The consent form must include information on the frequency of injuries, both fatal and non-fatal, that have occurred due to unsupervised overnight care at that specific facility

Veterinarians who fail to collect the required consent form cannot charge for veterinary services related to injuries sustained during unsupervised overnight care and become strictly liable for any injuries or death

Collecting the consent form does not grant immunity to veterinarians for injuries or deaths occurring during unsupervised overnight stays

The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to for-profit veterinary facilities; non-compliance subjects veterinarians to public reprimand by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners