New State Regulations Proposed For Animal Shelters

August 19, 2015

A House Democrat on Tuesday filed a detailed proposal that would set guidelines for animal shelters before stray animals can be euthanized.

The proposal (HB 71), filed by Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens, will be considered during the 2016 legislative session.

The nine-page bill includes numerous requirements such as posting on the Internet photographs and information about each stray animal impounded. If possible owners are identified, shelters would have to undertake “due diligence” in notifying owners, such as trying to contact them by phone and mail.

Among the other requirements, the bill would mandate a minimum holding period of five business days for stray animals that are impounded. Among numerous other provisions, the bill would set conditions for the care of animals in shelters. That would include providing fresh food and water, cleaning of cages and “environmental enrichment,” such as socialization, toys and treats.

by The News Service of Florida


Comments

6 Responses to “New State Regulations Proposed For Animal Shelters”

  1. Susan on August 21st, 2015 10:32 am

    A friendly little dog was turned into the shelter by a woman in my neighborhood that had shown up in her yard. When I found out the dog was at the shelter, I went there to see if I could adopt her. The shelter claimed no record. I went back to the lady’s husband and he verified that his wife took the dog to the Escambia shelter. I remember the shelter worker looking funny and saving a bad word under his breath when I inquired. I believe that they put the dog down without a wait period because I had gone there the 2nd day and it should have been recorded. It is unfortunate that they are not honest with the public and detrimental to finding one’s pet or adopting. This shelter has had a long time bad reputation.

  2. Puddin on August 20th, 2015 6:01 pm

    @Chris. I would hope and pray, for the animals sake, that kind hearted animal lovers worked there. People who are truely dedicated to helping to find lost pets owners, and surrendered pets find loving homes.

  3. chris in Molino on August 19th, 2015 8:24 pm

    @Puddin
    They have to be nasty. Anyone who can work at a place that kills dog’s can’t have much character. I know folks gotta make a living, but personally, i’d work somewhere else for less wage just so in my heart i knoe i’m not part of any dog killings.

  4. Puddin on August 19th, 2015 9:57 am

    I had an experiance similar to Janes. They flat out lied to me, swearing no dog had been picked up in my area in two weeks. That was Saturday,,and they had picked my collared and tagged dog up Thursday. My neighbor had even told them who she belonged to, and I was home at the time they took her. (she slipped through the fence). My niece happen to see her picture on thier web site and I called. The woman was very nasty and refused to wait 3-5 minutes after closing for my daughter to get there. Luckily, my daughter got in before they locked the door and managed to get them to give the dog back. The woman was angry, she sent the doggy police to my house the next week and I got fined for not having her collared (which she was when she slipped out). Luckily, I was able tp prove she was vacinnated, or it would have been even more. I have registered several complaints against that woman in particular with no results.

  5. Jane on August 19th, 2015 5:22 am

    This should have been done long ago and a waiting period should be at least two weeks before they can kill an animal…unless it is suffering and can not be saved. Animal Control picked up my cat and then would not tell me if they had him, then they killed him before I could find him there! The woman I spoke to was quite nasty and said they did not have time for me to look at all the animals…i would have to come back later.

  6. EMD on August 19th, 2015 12:11 am

    I sure hope that goes through.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News