"Chiara's Law"; prohibits euthanizing animals in shelters or pounds except for health or safety reasons.

Chiara's Law (S 2784) prohibits New Jersey shelters and pounds from euthanizing animals except when necessary for the animal's health or to ensure safety. It requires shelters to hold impounded animals for at least seven days before considering euthanasia, allowing time for owners to reclaim them. Shelters must first offer animals for adoption and can only euthanize after this period if health or safety risks exist. The law mandates humane euthanasia methods and maintains existing protocols for animals suspected of having rabies.