House Bill 978

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI ABANDONED PETS PROTECTION ACT"; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF ANY DOG OR CAT BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT FIRST HAVING THE ANIMALS PROTECTED AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THE CERTIFICATE OF PROTECTION ISSUED; TO REQUIRE THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE FACILITY HOUSING THE ANIMALS FOR SALE OR TRANSFER; TO EXEMPT ANIMAL SHELTER FACILITIES FROM CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND PRESCRIBE CERTAIN OTHER DUTIES REQUIRED OF SUCH SHELTERS TO IDENTIFY OWNERS' DOGS AND CATS BEFORE TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL DOGS AND CATS RECEIVED FOR SALE OR TRANSFER BE SEPARATED FROM OTHER ANIMALS FOR FORTY-EIGHT HOURS BEFORE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE OR TRANSFER; TO PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE REMEDY TO THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE OF A DOG OR CAT FOUND TO BE DISEASED OR INFECTED WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE SALE OR TRANSFER; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF CATS LESS THAN EIGHT WEEKS OF AGE; TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF AN ANIMAL CARE CENTER TO NOTIFY THE OWNER BY CERTIFIED MAIL OF THE INTENTION OF THE OPERATOR TO TREAT THE ANIMAL AS AN ABANDONED ANIMAL AFTER SEVEN DAYS IF THE OWNER DOES NOT RECLAIM THE ANIMAL OR PAY THE CHARGES AND FEES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE MAILING OF THE NOTIFICATION; TO VEST OWNERSHIP OF THE ANIMAL IN THE OPERATOR OF THE ANIMAL CARE CENTER HAVING CUSTODY UPON A DETERMINATION OF ABANDONMENT; TO REQUIRE OPERATOR OF THE ANIMAL CARE CENTER TO ADVISE OWNER OF THE ABANDONMENT POLICY; TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY AGENT ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER FACILITY OR AN ANIMAL CARE CENTER TO GIVE, RELEASE, SELL, TRADE OR TRANSFER ANY LIVE ANIMAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPERIMENTATION OR VIVISECTION; TO REQUIRE THAT ANIMALS WHICH MUST BE PUT DOWN MUST BE EUTHANIZED USING A METHOD APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE; TO REQUIRE EACH ENTITY ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF SELLING OR TRANSFERRING LIVE ANIMALS WITH OR WITHOUT A FEE OR DONATION TO BE LICENSED AND INSPECTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE; TO ESTABLISH THE FEES FOR LICENSURE AND RENEWAL; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Willie Bailey

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 20 – Mar 6

1. Feb 20Referred to the House committees on Judiciary A and on Appropriations
2. Mar 6Died in committee in the House