SB 891

Abstract

Animal welfare regulations; keeping of animals; State Animal Welfare Inspector. Directs the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt comprehensive regulations governing the keeping of dogs and cats by any pet shop. The regulations are to require an annual $25 registration for any nonprofit or governmental entity required to register, $250 for any private, for-profit entity required to register, and may establish standards that apply only to a particular category of  currently unregulated entity. The bill creates the position of State Animal Welfare Inspector as an employee of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and directs the Inspector or a representative to conduct at least one annual inspection of each pet shop.

Animal welfare regulations; keeping of animals; State Animal Welfare Inspector. Directs the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt comprehensive regulations governing the keeping of dogs and cats by any pet shop and providing for certain inspections of private animal shelters. The regulations are to require an annual $25 registration by every regulated person or facility and may establish standards that apply only to a particular category of regulated entity. The bill creates the position of State Animal Welfare Inspector as an employee of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and directs the Inspector or a representative to conduct at least one annual inspection of each pet shop and private animal shelter. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.

Animal welfare regulations; keeping of animals; State Animal Welfare Inspector. Directs the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt comprehensive regulations governing the keeping of dogs and cats by any pet shop by July 1, 2022. The regulations are to require a $250 annual registration fee for any private, for-profit entity required to register, and, where necessary, shall establish standards that apply only to a particular category of currently unregulated entity. The bill creates the position of State Animal Welfare Inspector as an employee of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and directs the Inspector or a representative to conduct at least one unannounced, annual inspection of each pet shop.

Animal welfare regulations; keeping of dogs,cats, and rabbits; Animal Welfare Inspector. Directs the Boardof Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt comprehensive regulationsgoverning (i) the keeping of dogs, cats, and rabbits by any commercialdog breeder, dealer, pet shop, or private or public animal shelterand (ii) the keeping of companion animals by zoos. The regulationsare to require an annual $25 registration by every regulated personor facility and may establish standards that apply only to a particularcategory of regulated entity. The bill creates the position of State Animal Welfare Inspector as an employee of the Commissioner of Agricultureand Consumer Services and directs the Inspector or a representativeto conduct two annual inspections of each regulated facility. Finally,the bill directs the State Veterinarian to convene a technical advisorycommittee that includes representatives of potentially affected breeders,dealers, pet shops, shelters, agencies, zoos, veterinarians, and others, as well as representatives of the Office of the Attorney General,to assist in the development of regulations and guidance requiredby the bill.