Provides for the licensing, inspection and regulation of animal boarding kennels; authorizes the department of agriculture and markets to license, inspect and regulate animal boarding kennels.
Impact
The passage of S08510 would amend the agriculture and markets law to include a new framework for the regulation of boarding kennels. Under the new regulations, all kennels would be required to obtain a license, which involves meeting stringent operational standards covering aspects such as facility maintenance, animal housing, cleanliness, and personnel training. The bill also incorporates specific protocols for recordkeeping and the management of animals to ensure their safety and health. Moreover, the state would be empowered to enforce compliance through inspections and could impose penalties for violations.
Summary
Bill S08510, also known as the NYS Safe Pet Boarding Act, seeks to implement comprehensive regulations concerning the operation of animal boarding kennels in the state of New York. The bill is a response to increasing concerns over pet safety and welfare, following several high-profile cases of animal cruelty, including the deaths of multiple dogs at a kennel. The legislation aims to establish minimum standards for oversight, mandating licensing and regular inspections for boarding facilities to ensure the humane treatment of animals under their care.
Contention
Despite the overall intent to increase animal welfare through regulation, the bill may face opposition from kennel owners concerned about the financial and operational burden it imposes. There may be concerns that increased licensing fees and compliance requirements could drive smaller operations out of business. Furthermore, discussions may arise around the feasibility of enforcing such regulations uniformly across various types of kennels, particularly when weighing the balance between owner rights and the necessity for stringent oversight to prevent animal cruelty.
Provides for the disclosure of the cause of death of certain companion animals; authorizes the inspection of pet dealers' facilities upon such deaths; requires the department of agriculture and markets develop a rating system for pet dealers and make certain information available on the department's website; requires pet dealers to reimburse consumers if an animal dies within six months of the sale of such animal.
Requires animal shelters to annually report on intake and disposition of animals and the number of animals turned away by such shelters; requires shelters to submit such reports to the department of agriculture and markets; requires such department to post the reports on their website.
Relates to the registration and regulation of animal breeders; requires each to be licensed; creates a breeder licensing fund; exempts not-for-profit organizations.
Relates to the registration and regulation of animal breeders; requires each to be licensed; creates a breeder licensing fund; exempts not-for-profit organizations.
Requires the creation of a thirteen member advisory board within the department of agriculture and markets on food safety and inspection programs; establishes such board is to advise, counsel and confer with the commissioner of agriculture and markets on matters dealing with enforcement of laws and regulations regarding food safety and protection and shall make recommendations regarding any necessary statutory or regulatory changes.