OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
sHB-6231
AN ACT RESTRICTING THE EUTHANIZATION OF FERAL CATS,
PROHIBITING CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT AS AN ANIMAL
CONTROL OFFICER AND STUDYING THE INVOLVEMENT OF
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS AT ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITIES.
Primary Analyst: LG 4/15/25
Contributing Analyst(s): SB, BP
Reviewer: RW
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $
Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential
Revenue Loss
Minimal Minimal
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $
Various Municipalities Potential
Savings
Minimal Minimal
Explanation
The bill makes changes regarding laws around feral cats and animal
control officers which results in the fiscal impacts described below.
Section 1 prevents an animal control officer from euthanizing feral
cats unless they meet certain requirements. This may result in a
potential savings to municipalities to the extent fewer cats are
euthanized.
1
The section instead requires animal control officers to consult with an
animal rescue or feral cost organization which does not result in a fiscal
1
Any savings is expected to be minimal as euthanasia typically costs approximately
$100 per cat. 2025HB-06231-R000716-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2
impact.
Section 2 prevents anyone from serving as an animal control officer
if they have been convicted of animal abuse which does not result in a
fiscal impact.
Section 4 requires the Department of Agriculture to convene a
working group to develop legislative recommendations on various
practices regarding animal rescue and control which does not result in
a fiscal impact.
Section 4 repeals a law regarding impounding and disposing of
certain cats. This may result in a potential savings to municipalities as
they no longer will be required to (1) impound certain cats, (2) notify the
cat's owner or publish a notice in a local newspaper, (3) have a
veterinarian spay or neuter the cat, and (4) have the cat killed if it
remains unclaimed.
The section also repeals an infraction which results in a potential loss
in revenue to the General Fund.
2
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to inflation and the number of feral cats.
2
From FY 20 – FY 24, 4 charges were recorded and $150 in associated revenue collected
under CGS § 22-332d.