Companion Animals Act 1998

A council must, before taking action under section 64 or 64A to destroy a seized or surrendered animal—

give written notice to at least 2 rehoming organisations that the animal is available for rehoming, and

take reasonable steps to advertise on a webpage or through a social media platform that the animal is available for rehoming.

The notice given under subsection (1)(a) must specify the period of time, not less than 7 days from the date the notice is given, during which the animal is available for rehoming.

If a rehoming organisation, whether or not the organisation was given written notice under subsection (1)(a), gives the council written notice that it is able to rehome an animal, the council must—

not destroy the animal, and

make arrangements for the collection of the animal.

Subsection (3) does not apply if the rehoming organisation fails to take custody of the animal within—

7 days of giving the written notice, or

a longer period agreed in writing between the council and the organisation.

A council must keep the following records—

for an animal rehomed under this section—a record identifying the animal,

for an animal destroyed under section 64 or 64A—

a record identifying the animal, and

the actions the council took under this section to rehome the animal.

The Departmental Chief Executive may issue guidelines about the giving of information regarding animals rehomed under this section or destroyed under section 64 or 64A to the Departmental Chief Executive or the public, or both.

A council must comply with the Departmental Chief Executive’s guidelines.

This section does not apply to an animal that, in the opinion of a veterinary practitioner, is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep the animal alive.

In this section—