N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 430: Behavior

§ 430. Behavior. 1. Each animal shelter shall take measures, by way of

written questionnaire, personal interview or other means deemed

necessary by the commissioner, to collect a behavioral history for each

animal in its custody or possession at the time of intake.

2. Routine care and handling of any animal in the custody or

possession of each animal shelter, including the timing of feeding and

sanitation procedures shall be performed on a regular daily schedule.

3. At least twenty minutes of positive social interactions, in

addition to time spent providing feeding, cleaning, basic husbandry or

care with people shall be provided by each animal shelter on a daily

basis for any animal in such shelter's custody or possession except

those so poorly socialized to humans that such contact would be

unpleasant, stressful or pose a safety risk to other animals or humans.

Daily handling and positive exposure to people and other animals shall

be provided for any dog or cat less than four months of age, while

taking appropriate precautions to limit infectious disease. Positive

social interactions shall include but not be limited to petting an

animal, walking, reward based training or interactive play with toys.

Time spent providing basic husbandry and animal care shall not be used

to offset the social interaction time requirements of this subdivision.

4. Each animal shelter shall provide each animal in its custody or

possession opportunity for exercise and exploration in the following

manner:

(a) all cats housed in a cage, kennel, or room that provides less than

eighteen square feet of floor space per cat for fourteen days or longer

shall be permitted at least fifteen minutes per day at least five days

per week outside of their primary enclosure to exercise and explore;

(b) all dogs residing in the shelter for fourteen days or longer shall

be permitted time outside of their primary enclosure to exercise and

explore for at least twenty minutes per day five days per week; or

(c) in the event such activities are not possible due to any animal's

health, behavior, order of the commissioner or legal restriction, the

condition and reason shall be documented in such animal's medical

record.

5. Each animal shelter shall implement additional measures for

enrichment and stress reduction for any animal in its custody or

possession showing persistent hiding, hostile interactions with other

animals, reduced activity, depression or social withdrawal, barrier

frustration or aggression, self-injurious behavior, repetitive non

goal-oriented movement, or stereotypic behaviors. Such measures shall be

documented in such animal's medical record created pursuant to section

four hundred twenty-three of this article.

6. Use of aversive methods in animal training or behavioral

modification is prohibited except in reward-based method situations,

where skilled application of the least aversive method that is expected

to succeed may be appropriate.

7. Animal shelters may perform a systematic behavioral evaluation on

animals prior to rehoming or other placement. In the event such

evaluations are performed, the following requirements shall apply:

(a) staff performing such evaluations shall receive, in advance,

adequate training in the performance and interpretation of the

behavioral evaluation or evaluations; and

(b) documentation of the results of every behavior evaluation

performed shall be added to the animal's record created pursuant to

section four hundred twenty-three of this article.

8. Each licensed animal shelter shall fully disclose all available

information regarding the behavior of any animal in its custody or

possession prior to such animal's transfer to an individual or another

organization as authorized pursuant to section three hundred

seventy-four of this chapter. Such information shall include, but not be

limited to prior history, observed behaviors in the shelter, and the

results of any systematic behavioral evaluations performed.

9. Any animal in the custody or possession of a licensed animal

shelter that is observed to be experiencing mental suffering or

behavioral deterioration shall be assessed and appropriately treated.