WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2879

Nonprofit animal shelters; require recordkeeping and the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Hill

SB 2879 would require nonprofit shelters to sterilize all dogs and cats sold or adopted and maintain medical/sterilization records, aiming to curb overpopulation; died in committee.

Died In Committee
#judiciarya #judiciary #divisiona #publichealthandhumanservices
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2879

Summary — SB 2879

Title: Nonprofit animal shelters; require recordkeeping and the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption
Status: Died In Committee
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Subject areas: Judiciary; Public Health and Human Services

Purpose / Intent

SB 2879 aimed to reduce companion animal overpopulation and improve animal welfare by imposing mandatory sterilization (spay/neuter) and enhanced recordkeeping requirements on nonprofit animal shelters for every dog and cat that is sold or released for adoption.

Key provisions (based on bill title and file information)

  • Mandatory sterilization: Require nonprofit animal shelters to ensure that all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption are sterilized prior to transfer. (The bill title indicates a universal sterilization requirement for adopted/sold animals.)
  • Recordkeeping requirements: Require shelters to maintain records related to the animal’s medical history and sterilization status. Likely records would include vaccination and health information, sterilization certificates or documentation, microchip numbers, and adopter contact information. (Exact record elements and retention periods were not provided in the summary.)
  • Compliance mechanisms: The title implies new regulatory obligations for shelters; the bill likely would have defined enforcement, penalties, or reporting, though the public summary does not specify these details.
  • Potential exceptions or transitional rules: The title does not indicate exemptions (e.g., for medical reasons, juvenile animals, or transfers to rescue organizations), so whether the bill included such exceptions is not specified in the provided materials.

Who would be affected

  • Nonprofit animal shelters and rescue organizations: Primary regulated entities required to sterilize animals and maintain specified records.
  • Adopters/buyers of dogs and cats: May see changes in adoption timing, costs, or documentation required at transfer.
  • Veterinarians and clinics: Potentially increased demand for spay/neuter procedures and related recordkeeping services.
  • Local governments and animal-control agencies: Could see downstream effects on intake, shelter capacity, and enforcement responsibilities.
  • Animals: Intended beneficiary — expected reduction in unwanted litters and euthanasia through increased sterilization.

Potential impacts

  • Public-health/animal-welfare benefits: Likely reduction in shelter intake from unwanted litters and improved traceability for disease control and lost/found animals.
  • Operational and financial burden on shelters: Upfront costs for sterilization and administrative recordkeeping; shelters might need additional funding, staff, or partnerships with veterinary providers.
  • Adoption logistics: Could require animals to be held until sterilized or arrangements for post-adoption compliance, affecting time-to-adoption and potentially adoption fees.

Legislative/procedural history

  • Filed / Received by Secretary of the Senate: March 14, 2025
  • Read first time / Referred to State Affairs: April 7, 2025
  • Other entries in the action log (January–February 2025) indicate committee referrals and a passing/transmission step; these entries are out of chronological order relative to the filing date in the supplied record.
  • Final status: Died In Committee (record shows “Died In Committee” as the ultimate disposition). This means the bill did not advance to become law during the session.

Note: The available filing summary provides the bill’s title and action history but not the full legislative text. For exact statutory amendments, enforcement language, exceptions, or cost/penalty details, consult the full bill text or committee analyses from the legislative session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.