Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Adirondack) joined Sen. Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake), Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and a bipartisan coalition of state and local officials today at the Saratoga County Public Safety Building to announce the introduction of the NYS Safe Pet Boarding Act (S.8510). This legislation aims to address the alarming rise in animal cruelty cases at pet boarding facilities across the state, including the tragic deaths of 21 dogs in Argyle this summer.

The NYS Safe Pet Boarding Act establishes comprehensive standards to ensure the safety and well-being of pets in boarding facilities. Key measures include but are not limited to:

• Mandatory Licensing and Inspections: All commercial pet boarding facilities must obtain an annual license and undergo both scheduled annual inspections and random checks by the Department of Agriculture and Markets to ensure compliance.
• Staff Training Requirements: Facilities must meet minimum training standards for all staff to ensure proper animal care and handling.
• Recordkeeping and Protocols: Kennels must maintain detailed records for each animal, including owner contact information, health history and vaccination status, with records kept for at least three years.
• General Facility Standards: Facilities must provide adequate space, proper ventilation, temperature control and clean water access, with limits on animal overcrowding and requirements for remote video monitoring when pets are unattended.

“What occurred in Argyle with the harrowing loss of 21 beloved dogs and the near fatal loss of another was nothing short of an absolute tragedy that never should have happened. We simply can't stand idle and allow for this to happen again. Hopefully, through introducing this bill, we will have taken the first steps toward the prevention of another heartbreaking loss to families in the future," said Simpson.