(1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that homeless dogs and cats, other than cats that were not socialized to people during their behavioral development and therefore do not allow themselves to be handled, deserve appropriate shelter, care, and enrichment by animal shelters and pet animal rescues.(2) Each animal shelter and pet animal rescue shall provide each dog and cat held in its custody with timely veterinary care to address and prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable pain and suffering.(3) Each animal shelter and pet animal rescue shall address the behavioral needs of each dog and cat held in its custody to ensure that the dog or cat is not housed or kept in a manner that fosters stereotypic or self-mutilating behavior.(4) Nothing in this section limits other available potential live outcomes for dogs or cats in the custody of an animal shelter or pet animal rescue.Added by 2021 Ch. 164,§2, eff. 9/7/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1160), ch. 923, p. 923, § 2, effective September 7. 2021 Ch. 164, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3). Ch. 164,§2, eff. 9/7/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1160), ch. 923, p. 923, § 2, effective September 7. 2021 Ch. 164, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3). For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1160, see section 1 of chapter 164, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.
Colorado Legal Code