SB 201

 Enrolled Copy  S.B. 201
1Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments
                                       2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                            STATE OF UTAH
                                     Chief Sponsor: Keith Grover
                                  House Sponsor: Anthony E. Loubet
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This bill deals with the treatment of dogs and cats in an animal shelter.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7      This bill:
8      ▸ defines terms; and
9      ▸ provides that an animal shelter may euthanize an animal only if no reasonable alternatives
10  to euthanasia are available.
11  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
12      None
13  Other Special Clauses:
14      None
15  Utah Code Sections Affected:
16  ENACTS:
17      11-46-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
18
19  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20Section 1. Section 11-46-403 is enacted to read:
2111-46-403 . Disposition of animals in an animal shelter.
22  (1) As used in this section:
23      (a) "Animal organization" includes both an animal rescue group and an animal shelter.
24      (b) "Animal rescue group" includes a private humane society or a private animal welfare
25organization.
26      (c) "Animal shelter" does not include a private humane society or a private animal
27welfare organization.
28  (2) An animal held by or in the custody of an animal shelter that is not adopted, transferred
 S.B. 201  Enrolled Copy
29to another animal shelter or an animal rescue group, placed into a community cat
30program as described in Part 3, Community Cat Act, or reclaimed by the animal's owner,
31may be euthanized:
32(a) if no reasonable alternatives to euthanasia are available; and
33(b) in accordance with the requirements of this part.
34   (3)(a) An animal shelter may euthanize an animal:
35(i) only after:
36(A) the holding period for the animal required by Section 11-46-103 is expired;
37(B) notifying animal shelter and animal rescue groups, except as provided in
38Subsection (5), that have expressed an interest in receiving animals at risk of
39euthanasia;
40(C) no animal shelter or animal rescue group requests the transfer of the animal
41within two business days after the day on which the animal shelter makes the
42notice described in Subsection (3)(a)(i)(A); and
43(D) no animal shelter or animal rescue group collects the animal within two
44business days after the day on which the animal shelter makes the notice
45described in Subsection (3)(a)(i)(A);
46(ii) to prevent unnecessary suffering due to serious injury or disease, in accordance
47with Subsection 11-46-103(3); or
48(iii) if the animal is a dog that has been determined to be dangerous or vicious under
49state or local law.
50(b) The time periods described in Subsections (3)(a)(i)(C) and (D) may run concurrently
51with:
52(i) the holding period required by Section 11-46-103; and
53(ii) any holding period required by an applicable local ordinance.
54   (4)(a) An animal shelter may provide the notice described in Subsection (3)(a)(i)(B) in
55accordance with the animal shelter's established internal policies and procedures.
56(b) An animal organization is responsible for monitoring messages left for the animal
57organization.
58(c) If an animal organization maintains an electronic or other digital forum in which an
59animal shelter may post notices about animals available for placement, the animal
60organization that maintains the forum is responsible for monitoring the forum.
61   (5)(a) Nothing in Subsection (3)(a)(i) requires an animal shelter to notify or release an
62animal to an animal rescue group if the animal shelter knows or has reason to believe
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 Enrolled Copy  S.B. 201
63      that:
64(i) any of the animal rescue group's current directors, officers, or employees have
65been convicted of a crime related to animal cruelty or neglect;
66(ii) any of the animal rescue group's current directors, officers, or employees have
67pending charges related to animal cruelty or neglect; or
68(iii) the animal rescue group is constrained by court order that prevents the
69organization from taking in or keeping animals.
70      (b) Subsection (5)(a) does not impose an obligation on an animal shelter to investigate,
71verify, or monitor:
72(i) the criminal history or pending criminal charges of or for a director, officer, or
73employee of an animal rescue group; or
74(ii) whether an animal rescue group is subject to a court order described in
75Subsection (5)(a)(iii).
76  (6) An animal shelter is not liable for an act or omission under this section if the animal
77      shelter acts in good faith based on the information available to the animal shelter at the
78      time of the act or omission.
79Section 2. Effective Date.
80  This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
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