THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEW YORK COMMITTEES

ALBANY Banks
Cities
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
Consumer Affairs and Protection
Racing and Wagering
Steering
MICAH Z. KELLNER
65th Assembly District

Kellner, Advocates Unveil Legislation That Will Save

Thousands of New York’s Shelter Animals
NYC – New York State Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner (D-Upper East Side,
Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island), along with animal rescue advocates, announced
comprehensive legislation that will ensure qualified animal welfare groups access to shelter
animals.

The Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (CAARA) sets minimum standards that allow
rescue groups to recover animals from a shelter, a society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, humane society or pound that are scheduled to be destroyed. Current New York law
only allows for individuals to adopt from shelters, which gives shelters the ability to deny these
qualified groups access to these animals.

“There are tens of thousands animals in New York State shelters waiting to be adopted and most
are healthy, well-behaved, and just in need of a loving home,” Assembly Member Kellner said.
“When a humane organization volunteers to take these animals, they should not be denied. A
shelter should work with them to the fullest extent possible. States like California and Delaware
have already passed similar legislation, and now it is time for New York to step up to the plate.”

In 1998, California passed the Hayden Law which includes a provision this legislation is
modeled after, allowing not-for-profit animal rescue or animal adoption organizations to request
possession of a dog or cat prior to its killing. Delaware passed similar legislation in 2010 that
seeks to find sheltered animals homes, rather than euthanize them. Both bills passed with
overwhelming bipartisan support.

CAARA is a comprehensive measure that goes beyond just giving rescue groups mere access.
For the first time, it sets qualifications and guidelines for both shelters and rescue groups.
Outlining the responsibilities of those who work directly with the animals will help ensure that
the animals receive the proper care. These provisions ensure that animals are given fresh food
and water on a daily basis, exercise and socialization with other animals, clean living
environments, and prompt veterinary care. Additionally, both paper and digital records are
required in order to help facilitate finding these animals a home. To ensure compliance, routine
inspections of the facility are mandated.

Furthermore, CAARA extends whistleblower protections to rescue groups. In many cases, rescue
groups have been denied access to shelters for speaking out against bad practices, whether it be

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for abuse or mismanagement. Every time a group is turned away, it adds to the undue burden on
the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for every animal kept or killed in a shelter.

“Allowing qualified groups to have access is not only the compassionate thing to do,” continued
Kellner, “but it saves taxpayers money at a time when they need it the most.”

“The Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act is a progressive piece of legislation that will
benefit the animals and is in line with our mission of No More Homeless Pets,” said Gregory
Castle, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society. “We are pleased to have been
able to work with Assemblyman Kellner and we believe the key points of this legislation elevate
the standards of care of shelter animals in New York State, provide needed access for rescue
organizations thereby saving many animal lives, and serve as a template for similar legislation in
other states.”

"Not only will CAARA save tens of thousands of animals in shelters across the state every year
at no cost to taxpayers, but it will have impact across the country as others follow New York's
lead and introduce similar laws,” said Nathan J. Winograd of the No-Kill Advocacy Center, the
nation’s first organization dedicated solely to the promotion of a No Kill nation. “Where New
York goes, so goes the nation."

“Alley Cat Allies stands fully behind Assembly Member Micah Kellner and the Companion
Animal Access and Rescue Act. This legislation could help save the lives of countless cats who
would otherwise be killed in New York animal pounds and shelters,” said Becky Robinson,
president of Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats. “The public wants
better from the animal pound and sheltering system, and CAARA would improve accountability
by mandating disclosure of the fates of animals impounded in animal shelters.”

“CAARA will save thousands of lives, and will have a positive financial consequence for
taxpayers, as rescue groups and volunteers save animals at their own expense,” said Peter
Muller, State Director for the League of Humane Voters of New York.

The legislation is sponsored in the New York State Senate by Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I,
Rochester).

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