Title: Companion Animal Public-Private Partnership Act

Summary: Prohibits animal shelters from euthanizing animals under certain conditions; requires animal shelters to release animals to rescue organizations; provides exceptions.

Full Text:
An act relating to the Companion Animal Public-Private Partnership Act; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; prohibiting animal shelters from euthanizing animals under certain conditions; requiring animal shelters to release animals to rescue organizations; providing exceptions; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Companion Animal Public-Private Partnership Act.-(1) The Legislature finds that public-private partnerships between local government shelters, private shelters, and nonprofit organizations provide millions of dollars in cost savings to local governments in other states that have implemented such partnerships and that such partnerships reduce the costs associated with holding and euthanizing animals to taxpayers by transferring such costs from public agencies to private organizations and reduce the number of a nimals euthanized. (2) As used in this section, the term: (a) "Animal shelter" means a public or private facility that: HB 2020 1. Has a physical structure that provides temporary or permanent shelter for stray, abandoned, abused, or owner surrendered animal s. 2. Is operated, owned, or maintained by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society, pound, animal control officer, government entity, or contractor for a government entity. (b) "Irremediable suffering" means a poor or grave prognosis for being able to live without severe, unremitting physical pain, even with comprehensive, prompt, and necessary veterinary care, as certified in writing by a licensed veterinarian. (c) "Licensed veterinarian" means a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state. (d) "Rescue organization" means an animal rescue organization, animal adoption organization, or organization formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals that is described in s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Cod eand exempt from taxation under s. 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. (3) An animal shelter may not euthanize an animal if a rescue organization has indicated it will take custody of the animal. Instead of euthanizing the animal, the shelter shall release the animal to the rescue organization. (4) This section does not apply to: HB 2020 (a) An animal suspected of carrying and exhibiting signs of rabies, as determined by a licensed veterinarian. (b) A dog classified as dangerous pursuant to s. 767.12, Florida Statutes. (c) An animal experiencing irremediable suffering. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2020.