Adopt a Shelter Pet Account Community Cats

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Clifford and 15 co-sponsors

Creates an Adopt a Shelter Pet Account to fund community-cat programs, shelter adoptions, and related services (TNR, spay/neuter, vaccinations) with grants and donations.

Governor Signed

At a glance

Title: Adopt a Shelter Pet Account — Community Cats

Final status: Signed by Governor (2025‑04‑17)

Primary sponsors: Mandy Lindsay; Elizabeth Velasco; Faith Winter

Additional cosponsors: S. Woodrow; M. Martinez; D. Michaelson Jenet; T. Story; L. Cutter; N. Ricks; J. Willford; T. Mauro; M. Rutinel; J. Mabrey; L. García; J. Coleman; C. Clifford

Committee referral (House): Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Committee referral (Senate): Agriculture & Natural Resources

Legislative timeline (key steps)

Introduced in House: 2025‑01‑29

House committee and floor action: February 2025 (passed with amendments)

Senate committee and floor action: February–March 2025 (passed with amendments)

House concurred with Senate amendments and repassed: March 28, 2025

Sent to Governor: April 8, 2025

Governor signed: April 17, 2025

Purpose and intent (based on title and legislative context)

The bill’s title — “Adopt a Shelter Pet Account: Community Cats” — indicates the measure establishes or modifies a dedicated state account or program to support community cat (free‑roaming/feral/stray cat) initiatives and shelter pet adoption. The measure is intended to promote humane community cat management, increase shelter adoptions, and provide a funding mechanism for related services.

Likely key provisions (inferred from title; full text not provided)

Because the full bill text was not included, the following summarizes commonly included elements in similarly titled legislation and what readers can reasonably expect this bill to address:
- Creation of an “Adopt a Shelter Pet Account” within the state treasury to receive gifts, grants, private donations, and possibly public funds earmarked for community cat programs and shelter adoptions.
- Authorized uses of the account may include funding trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) programs, spay/neuter and vaccination services, community cat colony management, shelter operations related to cat intake and adoption, outreach/education, and subsidized adoption fees.
- Designation of an administering state agency or allowance for grants to local animal control agencies, shelters, and non‑profit organizations.
- Reporting or accountability requirements for expenditures from the account (e.g., annual reports to the legislature).

Who would be affected

Local animal shelters and humane societies that work with community cats and facilitate adoptions.

Municipal and county animal control programs that operate TNR and shelter services.

Veterinary providers and spay/neuter clinics that receive grant support.

Donors and members of the public who choose to contribute to the account.

Community cat populations and public health/animal welfare stakeholders.

Implementation and next steps

The bill is enacted upon the Governor’s signature; the effective date and implementation specifics (administrating agency, appropriation details, reporting timelines) require review of the signed bill text and any implementing guidance or appropriations bills.

For the precise statutory language, appropriation amounts (if any), and administrative details, consult the enrolled bill text on the legislature’s website or the governor’s office publication.

Bill