Deposits for keeping: abandoned animals.

Existing law requires a veterinarian, dog kennel, cat kennel, pet-grooming parlor, animal hospital, or any other animal care facility, as provided, to humanely destroy an abandoned animal, if unable to place the animal with a new owner. This bill, instead, would authorize the euthanasia of the abandoned animal under those circumstances. Existing law prohibits a person from using an abandoned animal for experimentation and prohibits a person from turning over an abandoned animal to a pound or animal regulation department of a public agency. This bill would allow a person to turn an abandoned animal over to a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or nonprofit animal rescue group, provided that the shelter or rescue group has been contacted and has agreed to take the animal.