Senate considers SB257 to require licensing and initial inspection of new animal shelters

Senator Poore presented SB257 to require licensing and an initial inspection for any new animal shelter before it begins operations in Delaware, eliminate an exemption for rescue organizations operating from private property, and permit denial or revocation of licenses for individuals with a history of animal-welfare violations.

"With Senate bill 2 57, it requires all new animal shelters that wish to open in the state to apply for a license and receive an initial inspection before they can operate," Sen. Poore said. The bill sets parameters for issuing, renewing, suspending or revoking licenses and allows fines up to $1,000 per violation. The sponsor said the initial-inspection requirement would not apply to existing Delaware shelters that had a satisfactory inspection in the previous year.

Mike Caviani, chief operating officer of the Brandywine Valley SPCA, testified in support as the state's contracted shelter partner, describing recent local examples of neglect and noting the bill would extend protections to non-brick-and-mortar rescue groups.

The committee recorded the testimony and support from shelter partners; no formal questions or opposition were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.