The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act prohibits any animal
shelter or pet animal rescue (facility) from releasing a dog or cat to a prospective owner unless the animal has been sterilized, except in cases in which sterilization would jeopardize the life or health of the dog or cat. A facility in an area with limited access to licensed veterinarians may be granted an exemption from the sterilization requirement by the commissioner of agriculture (commissioner). The bill:
•
Removes the exemption from the sterilization requirement due to the health of the animal; and
•
Prohibits facilities that import unsterilized dogs or cats into the state of Colorado from receiving an exemption from the commissioner.
