04/10/2025
Yay but this is a very small step. Let’s keep educating and fighting
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: April 2nd and 4th are the final days of voting by the Georgia legislature. Two animal-related bills have passed both the House and Senate. Five bills have passed one chamber and are awaiting a possible vote in the other chamber by April 4th (known as Sine Die). A full recap of all bills is available on the GA Pet’s Coalition’s website: https://www.gapetcoalition.org/2025-legislation
BILLS PASSED AND AWAITING GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE:
HB 331 (Rep. Beth Camp): * GA Pet Coalition Priority Bill *
Prohibits the sale or barter of dogs, cats and domestic rabbits in certain unregulated locations such as parking lots, roadsides, and seasonal flea markets. Exempts licensed shelters and rescues. Does not prevent transfers that take place at a seller’s residence or place of business, or inside a vet’s office. Allows prearranged transfers at a peace officer’s station.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/search?ch=1&d=1&ln=331&s=1033&p=1
HB 614 (Rep. Jan Jones):
Authorizes the governing authority of a county or municipal corporation to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use or ignition of consumer fireworks within 100 yards of a commercial facility housing equines in a confined area.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70744
BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED ONE CHAMBER:
SB 20 (Senator Kay Kirkpatrick): PASSED Senate 54-2
* GA Pet Coalition Priority Bill *
Provides educational loan repayment of $75k for veterinarians who practice full time for a 3-year contract in shelter medicine and pet sterilization.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/search?ch=2&d=1&ln=20&s=1033&p=1
SB 102 (Senator Randy Robertson): PASSED Senate 49-3
Amends O.C.G.A. 16-12-37 (dogfighting law) to add prohibitions on cockfighting, possession/sales of fighting-related equipment, and permitting a minor to attend cockfight. Cockfighting has been illegal by federal law but requires the FBI or federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases. SB 102 will enable local and state law enforcement to handle these cases.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69979
SB 105 (Senator Jason Anavitarte): PASSED Senate 52-0; PASSED House by Substitute 168-0; awaiting Senate vote on Sub
Authorizes licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; authorizes licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teletriage under certain circumstances; and authorizes licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary telemedicine under certain circumstances. Note. HB 91 was amended to SB 105; eases restrictions on acquiring an in-state license for foreign DVMs.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69961
HB 172 (Rep. David Huddleston): PASSED House 164-4
Amends the existing educational loan repayment program for veterinarians with large animal or mixed animal practices in designated rural areas. Increases loan repayment to $30k/year, guarantees a three-year repayment schedule, and redefines “rural” to mean a population of 50,000 or less (thus increasing the number of qualifying counties). HB 91 amended to current version of bill.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69649
HB 177 (Rep. Sharon Cooper): PASSED House 164-3
Provides protection for household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69656
Shelters and Shelves Rescue is a volunteer ran and donation based 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue dedicated to saving urgent dogs. We are 100% foster based.
