Government Code section 53074.1
(a)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)
“Evacuation order” means an order from the Governor, or a county emergency management official, county sheriff, chief of police, or fire marshal, under which persons subject to the order are required to relocate outside of the geographic area covered by the order due to an imminent danger resulting from a declared federal or state emergency.(2)
“Pet” means an animal, including a dog, cat, rabbit, rodent, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird, or other species of animal, kept for the purpose of being a household pet.(b)
(1)A pet rescued or originating from an area subject to an evacuation order, that would otherwise be eligible for adoption, shall not be made available for adoption, euthanized, or transferred out of the custody of the local animal control agency or its in-state partner animal shelters, animal rescues, or animal fosters for at least 30 days.(2)
A local animal control agency may transfer a pet to an in-state partner animal shelter, animal rescue, or animal foster during the 30-day period if the local animal control agency maintains records of the location of the pet in order to facilitate owner reunification.(3)
After the 30-day period has passed, a pet described in paragraph (1) shall not be euthanized if an animal rescue organization has previously notified the local animal control agency of their willingness to take custody of the pet and completes that transfer upon the conclusion of the 30-day period.(c)
This section does not apply to a pet that is irremediably suffering, or a pet that was relinquished or surrendered by its owner.
Source:
Section 53074.1, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=53074.1. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 15, 2025).
