Bill > S2968

This bill makes it unlawful to leave a domestic companion animal, such as a cat or dog, outdoors unattended when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below or 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, unless the animal has access to a shelter with a temperature maintained between these extremes, in accordance with local regulations. It also prohibits leaving such animals outdoors during recommended evacuations due to weather or other emergencies, requiring them to be either taken to a suitable care facility or secured indoors with proper ventilation and protection from flooding, as outlined by the "State Uniform Construction Code Act." Violating these provisions will be considered a failure to provide necessary care, a form of animal cruelty, though these rules do not apply to feral cats. A "domestic companion animal" is defined as a pet acquired for companionship, not for business or agricultural purposes, and excludes livestock.