HB253 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Connie C. Rowe

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Animals, required rabies vaccines for canidae or felidae, further provided for, possession of certain canidae or felidae, possession of certain large felidae or wolves, prohibited under certain conditions, penalties, Sec. 3-8-2 added; Sec. 3-8-1 am'd.

Summary

HB 253 tightens rabies vaccine rules for canidae and felidae and bans possession, sale, or breeding of large felidae and wolves, with several exceptions and grandfathering for existing animals.

What This Bill Does

First, it makes it illegal to own, maintain, sell, or trade any canidae or felidae that does not have a USDA-licensed or FDA-approved rabies vaccine. Existing owners may keep such animals for the animal's life if the animal is spayed or neutered and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with exemptions for certain institutions. It also bans possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of living large felidae or wolves, with exceptions for exhibitors, research facilities, nonprofits, veterinary hospitals, and law enforcement. The bill includes a grandfathering path for pre-existing animals, sets penalties for violations, and notes a local-funds exemption under the constitution.

Who It Affects

• Owners of canidae or felidae that currently lack a vaccine; they could be illegal to own unless they meet life-keeping exceptions.
• Organizations and individuals who work with large felidae or wolves (USDA Class C exhibitors, zoos, circuses, research facilities, nonprofit sanctuaries, animal protection groups, veterinary hospitals, and law enforcement) who must comply with the new rules or use the defined exemptions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 3-8-1 to require rabies vaccines for canidae and felidae (USDA-licensed or FDA-approved); existing owners may keep the animal for life if spayed/neutered and registered, with exemptions for zoological parks, circuses, colleges/universities, approved refuges, humane shelters, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and veterinary clinics.
• Adds Section 3-8-2 to prohibit possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of any living large felidae or wolf, with exceptions listed below.
• Exceptions in 3-8-2 include: USDA Class C exhibitors (with disaster plan and inventory), a research facility, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary meeting specific criteria, a nonprofit animal protection organization temporarily housing a large felidae or wolf at law enforcement request, a licensed veterinary hospital, and law enforcement personnel.
• Grandfathering provisions allow individuals who lawfully possessed a large felidae or wolf before the act to keep the animal if they meet criteria (records, no new acquisitions after the effective date, no abuse convictions, no revoked licenses, disaster plan, liability insurance, and notification to local law enforcement before sale/relocation).
• Violations of the large felidae/wolf provisions are Class A misdemeanors.
• The act includes a local-funds expenditure exemption under Amendment 621 and 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

Animals