Dispositions of Animals - Pound Seizure

POLICY STATEMENT

The National Animal Control Association opposes pound seizure laws (which mandates sale of animals from shelters to research).

BASIS FOR POLICY

• Such laws infringe upon the rights of animal shelters to determine the fate of animals in their care.
  
• Such laws hinder the efforts of progressive animal shelters to promote animal welfare in a collective atmosphere of public trust.
  
• Animal research is clearly a personal decision which should be decided by individual animal owners without involvement of animal shelters.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

The National Animal Control Association encourages repeal of existing pound seizure laws. Owners who wish to relinquish their animals to research facilities should do so directly to the research facility. When local government feels it is necessary to disregard this recommendation, the following should be guidelines for said seizure:

• Only owner-surrender animals be allowed to be seized.
  
• The animal user should provide information concerning the research facility.
  
• After the owner has read this information and still desires to surrender their pet to an animal user, they may do so.

This agreement should be on a written form approved by the local government's attorney.

• There should be a grace period of 24 hours allowing the owner to cancel the agreement before the animal is released.

Reviewed/Revised by the NACA Corporate Office - 09/17/02