New Jersey Bill Would Require Certain Facilities to Accept Relinquished Companion Animals and Establish Safe Harbor Provisions

Assembly Bill 127, the “New Jersey Safe Haven for Protection of Domestic Companion Animals Act,” provides that any person may voluntarily and anonymously deliver a domestic companion animal to a shelter, veterinary hospital, or police station in the State of New Jersey and leave the animal without liability for the care or disposition of the animal. The bill further provides that no employee, veterinarian, or police officer at the shelter, pound, veterinary hospital, or police station, as applicable, may refuse to accept any domestic companion animal. If passed, the bill would take effect immediately.