Nonprofit animal shelters; require recordkeeping and the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption.

SB 2879 requires Mississippi nonprofit animal shelters, humane organizations, and animal control agencies to track and publicly share detailed records of all dogs and cats they intake (including surrender reasons and disposition types like adoption or euthanasia) starting July 2025. It mandates that all dogs and cats sold or adopted from these shelters must be sterilized before release, with adopters typically covering the cost unless the shelter’s governing body waives it. Shelters must either sterilize animals themselves or secure a written agreement with adopters guaranteeing sterilization within 30 days, with a refundable deposit to ensure compliance. Violations carry a $500 civil penalty, enforceable by local authorities.