HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2782        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3703

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to the regulation of animal shelters..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Amend Chap 129 of the general laws by inserting the following:

Section 39E: Animal Shelters and Rescue (rehoming) Organizations

SECTION 1.

Definitions:

“Shelter” – Any 501 (c)3 organization or other IRS not for profit status organization,  that finds homes for unowned animals.

“Rescue Organization” – A 501 (c)3 organization or other IRS not for profit status organization other than a shelter as defined in this act  that arranges for transfer of unowned dogs and cats to temporary or permanent homes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Department” – Department of Agricultural Resources