summary
Introduced
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal shelter or animal control facility shall not adopt out any dog or adopt out or return to field any cat unless it has been sterilized and microchipped and the adopted dog's or cat's microchip has been registered in a national database with the adoptive owner's information within 7 days after the date of adoption of the dog or cat. Provides that, if an adopted dog or cat comes into the possession of an animal control facility, a law enforcement agency, another animal shelter, or a veterinarian at any time after the adoption of the animal and the facility, agency, shelter, or veterinarian requests information pertaining to the identity and whereabouts of the animal's adopter or the history of the animal, the agency from which the animal was adopted shall provide the information to the requesting facility, agency, shelter, or veterinarian immediately. Provides that an animal shelter or animal control facility must provide to the adopter prior to the time of adoption the following information, to the best of its knowledge, on any dog or cat being offered for adoption: if the dog or cat has bitten or scratched any person; and, for a dog, (i) any behavior noted during interactions with the dog, including during intake, walks, play groups, socialization sessions, medical examinations, and other assessments; (ii) if the dog has killed a companion animal or livestock; and (iii) if the dog has been deemed vicious or dangerous pursuant to the Animal Control Act. Provides that an animal shelter or animal control facility shall not offer for adoption, give away, re-home, or place in a location any dog that has been deemed vicious or dangerous under the Animal Control Act. Removes the requirement that an animal shelter or animal control facility post in a conspicuous place in writing on or near the cage of any dog or cat available for adoption the information required by the provisions concerning adoption.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to require animal shelters and animal control facilities to ensure that any dog adopted out or any cat adopted out or returned to the field has been sterilized and microchipped, with the microchip information registered in a national database under the adopter's name within seven days of adoption. It also mandates that if an adopted animal later comes into the possession of another facility, law enforcement, or veterinarian, the original adopting shelter must immediately provide information about the adopter or the animal's history. Furthermore, shelters must disclose specific information to potential adopters before adoption, including any history of biting or scratching, known behavioral issues for dogs, whether a dog has killed other animals, and if a dog has been deemed vicious or dangerous under the Animal Control Act; importantly, shelters are prohibited from adopting out dogs that have been declared vicious or dangerous. The bill removes the previous requirement for shelters to post this information visibly near the animal's cage.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Assignments (on 01/16/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...