June 24, 2016 - (SACRAMENTO, CA) – On June 21, 2016 the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions passed out Senate Bill (SB) 945, to establish minimum standards of care and safety at pet boarding facilities.  The bill was introduced by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and provides pet boarding operators with clear guidance about the health and safety standards needed at their facilities.

“SB 945 guarantees a minimum standard of care for all pet boarding facilities in California, as well as establishes consumer protections for patrons,” Senator Monning said.  “To many Californians, their pets are like family members and it may come as a surprise to many pet boarding facility patrons that these facilities currently have no health and safety standards.  I am aware of tragedies at pet boarding facilities in my district and this bill seeks to prevent these tragedies by ensuring that a basic level of care is provided for pets.” 

In California, there have been instances where pets were injured or died in a boarding facility, including a recent incident in Monterey where 15 dogs died due to a fire in the facility.   

The standards established in SB 945 include: 

• Animals must have adequate space in their housing to move about freely;
• Pet enclosures must be in good repair;
• Routine care, preventive care, emergency care, disease control and prevention, along with veterinary treatment of pets be provided; and
• The facility operator must maintain either a fire alarm system that reports to the local fire department or a sprinkler system.

Pet boarding facility operators found in violation of these standards would be guilty of an infraction with a fine of up to $250 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation.

SB 945 now goes to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations for a hearing. 
Source: Senator Bill Monning