2023 New York Laws › AGM - Agriculture and Markets › Article 26-C - Regulation of Animal Shelters › 430 - Behavior.

* §  430. Behavior. 1. Each animal shelter shall take measures, by way
of written questionnaire,  personal  interview  or  other  means  deemed
necessary  by the commissioner, to collect a behavioral history for each
animal in its custody or possession at the time of intake.
2. Routine  care  and  handling  of  any  animal  in  the  custody  or
possession  of  each animal shelter, including the timing of feeding and
sanitation procedures shall be performed on a regular daily schedule.
3. At  least  twenty  minutes  of  positive  social  interactions,  in
addition  to  time spent providing feeding, cleaning, basic husbandry or
care with people shall be provided by each animal  shelter  on  a  daily
basis  for  any  animal  in  such shelter's custody or possession except
those so  poorly  socialized  to  humans  that  such  contact  would  be
unpleasant,  stressful or pose a safety risk to other animals or humans.
Daily handling and positive exposure to people and other  animals  shall
be  provided  for  any  dog  or  cat less than four months of age, while
taking appropriate precautions to  limit  infectious  disease.  Positive
social  interactions  shall  include  but  not  be limited to petting an
animal, walking, reward based training or interactive  play  with  toys.
Time  spent  providing basic husbandry and animal care shall not be used
to offset the social interaction time requirements of this subdivision.
4. Each animal shelter shall provide each animal  in  its  custody  or
possession  opportunity  for  exercise  and exploration in the following
manner:
(a) all cats housed in a cage, kennel, or room that provides less than
eighteen square feet of floor space per cat for fourteen days or  longer
shall  be  permitted at least fifteen minutes per day at least five days
per week outside of their primary enclosure to exercise and explore;
(b) all dogs residing in the shelter for fourteen days or longer shall
be permitted time outside of their primary  enclosure  to  exercise  and
explore for at least twenty minutes per day five days per week; or
(c)  in the event such activities are not possible due to any animal's
health, behavior, order of the commissioner or  legal  restriction,  the
condition  and  reason  shall  be  documented  in  such animal's medical
record.
5.  Each  animal  shelter  shall  implement  additional  measures  for
enrichment  and  stress  reduction  for  any  animal  in  its custody or
possession showing persistent hiding, hostile  interactions  with  other
animals,  reduced  activity,  depression  or  social withdrawal, barrier
frustration  or  aggression,  self-injurious  behavior,  repetitive  non
goal-oriented movement, or stereotypic behaviors. Such measures shall be
documented  in  such animal's medical record created pursuant to section
four hundred twenty-three of this article.
6.  Use  of  aversive  methods  in  animal  training   or   behavioral
modification  is  prohibited  except  in reward-based method situations,
where skilled application of the least aversive method that is  expected
to succeed may be appropriate.
7.  Animal  shelters may perform a systematic behavioral evaluation on
animals prior  to  rehoming  or  other  placement.  In  the  event  such
evaluations are performed, the following requirements shall apply:
(a)  staff  performing  such  evaluations  shall  receive, in advance,
adequate  training  in  the  performance  and  interpretation   of   the
behavioral evaluation or evaluations; and
(b)   documentation  of  the  results  of  every  behavior  evaluation
performed shall be added to the  animal's  record  created  pursuant  to
section four hundred twenty-three of this article.
8.  Each  licensed  animal  shelter shall fully disclose all available
information regarding the behavior of  any  animal  in  its  custody  or
possession  prior  to such animal's transfer to an individual or another

organization  as  authorized   pursuant   to   section   three   hundred
seventy-four of this chapter. Such information shall include, but not be
limited  to  prior  history,  observed behaviors in the shelter, and the
results of any systematic behavioral evaluations performed.
9.  Any  animal  in  the  custody  or  possession of a licensed animal
shelter  that  is  observed  to  be  experiencing  mental  suffering  or
behavioral deterioration shall be assessed and appropriately treated.
* NB Effective December 15, 2025