During the 2022 legislative session, the Education Fund’s sister organization, the New York State Animal Protection Federation proposed, advocated for and passed the Companion Animal Care Standards for Shelters and Rescues (Paulin 6246/Addabbo S.6870). The bill uses the 2010 Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidelines to improve shelter management and care.

It includes, but is not limited to, setting standards for training, record keeping and reporting, physical plant, housing, sanitation, veterinary care, behavior care, euthanasia, transportation and inspection. With the $32M investment the state has made in the physical plants of shelters across NYS with the Companion Animal Capital Fund, the Federation and its members felt it was time to also enhance operational and care standards. Click Here to Read Our Memo. Click here to read the full bill.

For the first time, shelters without municipal contracts and the vast number of rescues in New York State will be overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry. 

CACS Consulting Services

The bill takes effects on December 15, 2025–three years after it was signed. The Federation knew it would take time for the hundreds of shelters and rescues throughout New York State to get prepared to meet these standards. In order to help, the Education Fund has pursued grants to help shelters and rescues across the state. To date, the Education Fund has received $185,000 from the Weiderhold Foundation, $100,000 from the ASPCA and $92,000 from the NY Community Trust. We have worked with over 60 organizations across the state and still have consulting slots available through the NYCT funding for organizations in New York City, Westchester and Long Island.

The Education Fund has launched the Companion Animal Care Standards Act Consulting Services helmed by our veteran animal welfare expert Barbara Carr. Click here to read about these services and to sign up.