Families, lawmakers push for Safe Pet Boarding Act

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) – After a series of tragic pet deaths at local boarding facilities, families have pressed lawmakers over the lack of oversight. Now, they’ve introduced a new bill that would regulate commercial boarding facilities and establish uniform guidelines statewide.

Lawmakers met with mourning families at the Saratoga County Public Safety Facility on Tuesday to discuss the New York State Safe Pet Boarding Act. It would establish clear and consistent oversight for pet boarding facilities across the state. It’s gaining bipartisan support.

They said there’s been an increase in animal cruelty cases that have left families mourning.

Gus was a 2-year-old french bulldog who died at “A Time Four Paws” in Halfmoon in July. His owner Katie Levy said he wasn’t even there a full day. 

“It was a lot of anger and disbelief that you can leave your beloved pet at a boarding facility where they boast about training and experience and doggy day care and all of these things. And within a few hours you’re getting a phone call that your dog has passed away,” said Levy. 

Most recently, 2-year-old pit bull mix Diesel died at Meadowdale Acres in Altamont. But officials said one of the more shocking cases was out of Argyle, where 21 dogs died at Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding.

Lawmakers said consumers assume boarding facilities are regulated, but that’s not the case. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) explains.

“There’s no oversight, there’s no minimum standards, there’s no training, there’s no regulation. I think people would probably be shocked to hear that,” said Santabarbara. 

“I was absolutely shocked. And no idea, no idea that there was no oversight, that there was nothing holding them accountable,” said Levy.

Right now, only some counties have guidelines. Senator Jim Tedisco (R-Ballston Lake) said they want to fix that patchwork system across the state. 

“Today I think we took a giant step coming out of the wild west. See, there’s no uniformity for boarding facilities. That’s what the Safe Pet Boarding Act is all about, bringing it up to a state level, unification of guidelines,” said Tedisco.

The bill would establish a state license for commercial boarding facilities, enable random inspections from Ag & Markets, ensure adequate space with proper ventilation and temperature control, require proper daily nutrition and access to clean water, require animal care training for all staff, require facilities maintain vaccination records of dogs, and allow the state to produce – and share publicly – an annual report card of boarding facilities.

The legislation has support from area district attorneys as well. Santabarbara said they’re seeking dignity for pets and a peace of mind for families because pets are not just animals, they’re family members. 

“These standards that we put in place so that there is actual oversight, there are penalties, there’s enforcement behind it, that if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, you will get penalized. And those businesses probably are not going to be around too much longer after this bill passes,” said Santabarbara, who is introducing the assembly version of the bill.

“We got to get it across the finish line and we have to pass it in the senate and the assembly quick. Get it signed by the governor, so we can make sure we have this unification of care for our companion pets,” said Tedisco.

Tedisco and Santabarbara will be circulating the bills in the senate and assembly, looking for more co-sponsors ahead of the next legislative session.