Bill 10.

Summary.

The bill recognizes the work of individuals and legal entities that rescue and care for animals that are homeless, abandoned, mistreated or particularly vulnerable. It defines domestic animal rescue and care as organized, altruistic activities performed without direct financial compensation. It also defines animal caregivers, temporary foster homes, animal protection and welfare foundations, and the register of rescuers and caregivers.

It creates a voluntary Single Register of Rescuers. Within six months after the law takes effect, municipalities would establish a platform allowing digital and in person registration at any time. The register would collect, among other details, a name or legal name, address, care activities, economic activity, education, and the number and species of animals in a caregiver’s charge. Registered persons could access, modify, update and correct their data. The municipal administration would publicize the opening of the register and issue an identification card to registered individuals or the legal representatives of nonprofit entities.

Within one year after the law takes effect, municipalities would design, regulate and implement support measures for registered rescuers and caregivers. These would include training in animal welfare and legal matters; support for ventures and small and medium sized enterprises through seed capital, fairs and employment opportunities; access to public facilities for adoption and educational events; campaigns on rescue, adoption and responsible pet ownership; collaboration with veterinary clinics to provide care at affordable prices; and access to food, medicines, cages and cleaning supplies through grants or partnerships.

Within 6 months after the law takes effect, the entities responsible for the register would regulate minimum requirements concerning suitable space, environmental conditions, hygiene, animal intake, sterilization and deworming. Municipal mayoral offices could inspect compliance with those requirements, verify registered information and review the use of support provided. For noncompliance addressed in Article 9, they would issue a single warning to allow the caregiver to bring conditions into compliance. A repeated violation would lead to cancellation of the registration.

Support would be funded from resources allocated by municipal authorities in each fiscal year, amounting to at least 1% of the final annual budget. Municipalities, the National Police and other competent bodies would coordinate an immediate response when an animal needs rescue or assistance. The central government would support sterilization events and medical brigades, prioritizing homeless animals, cat colonies and critical locations identified by caregivers. Secondary and university students at public and private institutions could perform mandatory community service in temporary foster homes, shelters or foundations run by registered caregivers. The bill amends Law 138 of 2020, titled “Creating the Municipal Animal Welfare Program,” and provides that it would take effect upon promulgation. Its provisions concern municipalities, municipal mayoral offices, the National Police and the central government, as well as caregivers, educational institutions, veterinary clinics, pet stores and animal care businesses.