SB51 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Animals, animal shelters, animal control, animal shelter owner, operator, manager, or director required to compile monthly report detailing number of animals entering facility and the disposition, report made available to public upon request, required

Summary

SB51 creates the Animal Census Reporting Act, requiring animal shelters to file monthly reports on animal intake, disposition, and related costs and to make those reports public upon request.

What This Bill Does

Requires defined animal shelters to collect and report monthly data on how many animals come in, where they come from, and what happens to them (adopted, claimed, transferred to other shelters or rescues, euthanized for specific reasons, died, or sterilized). It also requires reporting of care costs (excluding salaries). Reports must be submitted within 30 days after each month ends, kept for at least three years, and made available to the public upon request, in a format the shelter uses (electronic or paper), with a certification statement that the data is true to the best knowledge.

Who It Affects

• Animal shelter owners, operators, managers, or directors who must compile and publish the monthly census reports and related cost data.
• Members of the public who may request access to the reports, which become public records and may be obtained for a reasonable copying fee.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'animal shelter' to include public facilities operated by municipalities, counties, humane societies, or other nonprofits; excludes private individuals providing foster care, rescue groups, and private sanctuaries on personal property.
• Requires a monthly report with: (a) intake numbers by source (owner surrender, strays, other shelters, animal control, other) and (b) disposition details (adopted, released to owner, transferred to other facilities or rescues, euthanized for overcrowding/health/behavior, died, transferred to another entity, sterilized after arrival).
• Requires disclosure of transfer details, including names of receiving organizations, and a record of sterilization after arrival; includes a breakdown of care-related costs (housing, maintenance, feeding, medications, transfer, euthanasia, etc.) excluding salaries.
• Reports must be submitted within 30 days after the end of each month, be publicly accessible upon request, and may be published electronically or on paper; shelters may charge a reasonable copy fee and must keep annual reports for at least three years.
• Each report must include a certification statement from the preparer that the information is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
• Violations do not create civil or criminal liability.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animal Shelters