S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6652--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 11, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. PALUMBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture  --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to develop-
   ing a database for missing domestic animals

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by
 adding a new subdivision 52 to read as follows:
   52. (A) DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A SEARCHABLE DATABASE OF LOST  AND  FOUND
 DOMESTIC ANIMALS.  AN EMAIL OR TELEPHONE NUMBER SHALL BE PROVIDED ON THE
 WEBSITE  TO  ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS LOST OR FOUND A DOMESTIC ANIMAL
 TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT. THE INFORMATION TO BE ENTERED INTO THE  DATA-
 BASE  SHALL  BE THE TYPE OF ANIMAL; THE ANIMAL'S NAME; AN IDENTIFICATION
 NUMBER, IF AVAILABLE; A PHOTO OF THE ANIMAL; AND THE  COUNTY  WHERE  THE
 ANIMAL  WAS LOST OR FOUND. THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONTACT INFORMATION SHALL BE
 KEPT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND NOT MADE AVAILABLE ON  THE  WEBSITE.  THE
 DATABASE SHALL BE SEARCHABLE BY COUNTY AND TYPE OF ANIMAL AND SHALL HAVE
 A  SECTION TO ALLOW FOR OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION THAT MAY ASSIST WITH
 FINDING THE ANIMAL.   THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL  UPDATE  THE  WEBSITE  UPON
 RECEIVING  INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC. ANY INFORMATION ENTERED INTO THE
 DATABASE SHALL BE MAINTAINED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
   (B) THE WEBSITE SHALL ALSO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO ASSIST
 OWNERS SEARCHING FOR LOST OR MISSING ANIMALS:
 
        "THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU LOSE A PET:
 
   1. ACT FAST.
   2. CALL FOR THEM WHILE CHECKING AREAS IN THE HOME WHERE  THEY  MAY  BE
 TRAPPED.

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD11316-04-1

 S. 6652--A                          2
 
   3. SCENT IS KEY; THE PET'S FAVORITE FOOD AND DIRTY LAUNDRY LEFT AT THE
 DOORWAY CAN BE HELPFUL.
   4. SEARCH THE NEIGHBORHOOD SEVERAL TIMES; ASK NEIGHBORS, LETTER CARRI-
 ERS AND ANY DELIVERY PEOPLE YOU MAY SEE.
   5. LOST PET SIGNS; PUT THEM EVERYWHERE.
   6.  USE  SOCIAL  MEDIA  IN  ADDITION TO THE NEW YORK STATE MISSING PET
 DATABASE.
   7. CONTACT LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS AND ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCIES.
   8. BE WARY OF PET RECOVERY SCAMS. A FEW WAYS  TO  RECOGNIZE  THE  LOST
 PETS  SCAM  ARE;  IF  THEY DEMAND YOU WIRE MONEY, THEY REFUSE TO MEET IN
 PERSON, OR THEY WILL MEET BUT FIND AN EXCUSE WHY  YOU  SHOULD  PAY  THEM
 BEFORE  ACTUALLY  SEEING THE ANIMAL.  TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED, NEVER WIRE
 MONEY, DO NOT ASK LEADING QUESTIONS, MAKE THEM PROVIDE THE  DESCRIPTION,
 AND  IF YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT THE PERSON HAS YOUR PET, ARRANGE TO
 MEET IN A PUBLIC PLACE.  IF YOU FIND A MISSING PET AND SOMEONE  CONTACTS
 YOU  CLAIMING  TO  BE  THE PET'S OWNER, YOU MUST VERIFY THEIR CLAIM. VET
 RECORDS, BREEDING PAPERS, EVEN FAMILY PHOTOS  ARE  ALL  VIABLE  WAYS  TO
 PROVE  OWNERSHIP.   THESE TIPS ARE BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. THERE
 ARE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU FROM BEING SCAMMED.
   9. DON'T GIVE UP.
   ANIMALS HAVE BEEN REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS AFTER HAVING BEEN MISSING
 FOR MONTHS.  MAKE SURE YOUR PET ALWAYS WEARS A COLLAR AND AN ID TAG,  OR
 HAS A MICROCHIP."
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.