Stray animals: availability for adoption or release.

Existing law requires a public or private shelter to release an impounded stray dog or cat to a nonprofit, as defined, animal rescue or adoption organization if requested by the organization before the scheduled euthanasia of that animal, except as specified. Existing law authorizes a puppy or kitten under 8 weeks of age that is reasonably believed to be unowned and is impounded in a public or private shelter to, before the euthanasia of that animal, be made immediately available for release to a nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization if requested by the organization, and authorizes a puppy or kitten relinquished to a public or private shelter by the purported owner, or brought in by any other person with authority to relinquish it, to be available immediately for adoption. Existing law requires that a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, potbellied pig, bird, lizard, snake, turtle, or tortoise that is legally allowed as personal property and that is impounded in a public or private shelter be held with the same opportunities for redemption and adoption by new owners or nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organizations as provided for dogs and cats, as specified. This bill would expand the scope of those provisions to apply to nonprofit organizations, as defined, animal rescue organizations, and adoption organizations, rather than nonprofit animal rescue organizations and nonprofit adoption organizations. The bill would authorize a puppy or kitten relinquished to a public or private shelter by the purported owner, or brought in by any other person with authority to relinquish it, to also be made immediately available for release to a nonprofit organization, animal rescue organization, or adoption organization if requested by the organization. Under existing law, a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a crime. Because the above provisions would be part of that code, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.