ACTION: Notice of Intent to Amend the Animal Protection Act Rule
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4 and § 4-11-14, notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (the “Department”) will be accepting written comments regarding the proposed amendment of GA. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-13-13-.01 through 40-13-13-.10 (the “Animal Protection Act Rules”). The Department will be accepting written comments from May 22, 2026, to close of business (4:30 p.m. ET) on June 22, 2026.
SYNOPSIS AND MAIN FEATURES:
Synopsis:
Statement of Purpose.
The Department is proposing to amend the Animal Protection Act Rules in order to provide definitions for stray and domestic cats in order to better track the treatment and disposition of these categories of animals, clarify compliance requirements, and implement clean up changes.
Rule 40-13-13-.01 Definitions:
The proposed amendments:
- Specify that any animal shelter under contract with the state or a political subdivision of the state must have a written contract and clarify the ways through which animal shelters may intake animals.
- Define domestic and stray cats.
- Clarify the avenues through which rescue groups may intake animals.
- Implement clean up edits.
Rule 40-13-13-.04 Premise Requirements and Performance Standards for Owner and/or Operator:
The proposed amendments:
- Update the recordkeeping requirements to include stray cats in addition to domestic cats.
- Implement clean up changes.
COMMENT PERIOD AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Department will be accepting written comments from May 22, 2026, to the close of business (4:30 p.m. ET) on June 22, 2026. Comments will be considered at 10:00 a.m. on June 10, 2026, at 47 Trinity Avenue, Room G-07, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Please submit written comments to:
Mark Murrah
Georgia Department of Agriculture
254 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone Number: (404) 656-4914
E-Mail: CAECompliance@agr.georgia.gov
Interested persons may call or submit a written request to obtain a copy of the proposed rules. A copy of the synopsis and the proposed rules may be downloaded from the Georgia Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.georgia.gov.
This notice is given in compliance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4.
