Bill > HB586

This bill establishes a new category of animal shelter called a "micro shelter" within the Animal Care Facilities Act in Missouri, defining it as an animal shelter that houses no more than ten animals at any given time, with infant puppies or kittens born to an animal at the shelter not counting toward this limit. The bill adds this new definition to existing animal care regulations and provides that micro shelters will be exempt from licensure and inspection requirements, similar to hobby or show breeders. The director of the department of agriculture will develop a free annual registration form for micro shelters to establish their status. The bill also defines several other terms related to animal care, including "adequate food", "adequate housing", and "adequate water", and clarifies categories of animal facilities such as boarding kennels, commercial breeders, and pet shops. Additionally, the bill introduces a new definition for "infant puppy or kitten" as any dog or cat less than twelve weeks old, which could impact how certain animal facilities are classified and regulated.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB586&year=2025&code=R