Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4029

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Requires that, within 24 hours after the intake of any dog or cat into a shelter, the dog or cat must be scanned for the presence of a microchip and examined for other currently acceptable methods of identification, including, but not limited to, identification tags, tattoos, and rabies license tags. Provides that the shelter director shall give notice of not less than 7 business days to the owner, agent, or caretaker prior to release of the animal to a foster home or different shelter or the adoption or euthanasia of the animal. Requires that, prior to transferring the dog or cat to another animal shelter or to a rescue group or for purposes of euthanization, the dog or cat shall be scanned again for the presence of a microchip and examined for other means of identification. Defines "owner" and "shelter director".

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Animal Welfare Act. In provisions concerning the transfer of animals between shelters, provides that an animal shelter or animal control facility may not release any animal to an individual representing an animal shelter unless the individual is a representative of a not-for-profit, out-of-state organization who is transferring the animal out of the State (rather than just a representative of a not-for-profit, out-of-state organization). Provides that no animal shelter may accept a stray dog or cat unless the animal reported by the shelter to the animal control or law enforcement of the county in which the animal is found by the next business day. Provides that shelters may accept animals from certain organizations. Requires shelters to scan for the presence of a microchip or other currently-acceptable methods of identification within 24 hours of the intake of each dog or cat. Requires shelters to make reasonable attempts to contact the owner, agent, or caretaker of an animal as soon as possible, and to give notice by mail to the last known address of not less than 7 business days before disposing of the animal. Prior to disposal of the animal, requires the shelter to scan for identifying information a second time. Prohibits representatives of an animal shelter from entering private property to remove an animal and from directing other individuals to enter private property and remove an animal unless the individuals are approved humane investigators. Allows animal shelters to charge owners for certain expenses when reclaiming a stray dog or cat. Exempts feral cats from certain provisions. Provides that if the Department of Agriculture revokes a license, the licensee and any individuals associated with that license shall be prohibited from applying for or obtaining a license under the Act for at least 3 years.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes: Removes references to feral cats. Provides that no representative of an animal shelter may enter private property and remove an animal without permission from the property owner and animal owner, nor can any representative of an animal shelter direct another individual to enter private property and remove an animal unless that individual is an approved humane investigator (rather than no representative of an animal shelter may enter private property and remove an animal, nor can any representative of an animal shelter direct another individual to enter private property and remove an animal).

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