Ensuring Lost Companion Animals Can Return Home (SB 573)

California Senate Bill No. 573 was signed into law on September 18, 2020.

The bill prohibits a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group from releasing a dog or cat to an owner seeking to reclaim it, or adopting out, selling, or giving away a dog or cat to a new owner, unless the dog or cat is or will be microchipped, as specified. If the agency, shelter, or group does not have microchipping capability on location, the bill would require that the agency, shelter, or group make a good faith effort to locate available free or discounted regional microchipping services and provide that information to the owner or new owner. The bill would exempt from these microchipping requirements a dog or cat that is medically unfit for a microchipping procedure, or a dog or cat reclaimed or received by an owner who signs a form stating that the cost of microchipping would impose an economic hardship for the owner, as provided. Under the bill, an agency, shelter, or group that violates these provisions on or after January 1, 2022, would be subject to a civil penalty of $100, except as specified.