STRAY AND OWNER-RELINQUISHED ANIMALS. STATUTE.

Mandates methods and practices for animal euthanasia in all public and private agencies sheltering stray or owner-relinquished animals. Requires mandatory holding periods and conditions that must be satisfied before any animal is killed. Mandates shelters to develop and follow care, cleaning, and disease-prevention protocols. Requires funds collected from dog license revenues to be used for free and low-cost animal sterilization and medical assistance programs. Requires that most animals adopted from specified agencies be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Creates reporting, tracking, and notification requirements. Establishes private enforcement authority. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Probably significant local animal shelter operating costs in the mid tens of millions of dollars annually on a statewide basis, potentially small portion of costs being offset by penalty and adoption revenues. Potential ongoing state administrative costs of a couple million dollars each year. (Initiative 07-0059.) (Full Text