Bill > A08038

This bill establishes a new $5 animal offenses assistance fee that will be added to existing court fees for felonies, misdemeanors, and violations, with the collected funds creating a dedicated "animal offenses assistance fund" managed by the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance. The fund will provide financial support to animal shelters that care for animals seized or surrendered due to abuse or other animal-related offenses, with the commissioner of agriculture and markets responsible for distributing the funds through an application process that assesses shelters' needs for providing care and treatment to abused and neglected animals. The bill broadly defines "animal shelter" to include public and non-profit entities providing temporary or permanent housing for animals, such as humane societies, animal protective associations, and municipal animal care facilities, while explicitly excluding personal residences, boarding kennels, pet dealers, veterinary hospitals, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. The collected fees will help cover expenses like food, shelter, and veterinary care for animals that have been victims of cruelty or neglect, with the goal of supporting organizations that provide critical support to vulnerable animals.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8038