750-s. Pet disposal forms. 1. Each person who gives to a veterinarian or a pet cemetery owner or pet crematorium owner a pet for disposal shall be provided by such veterinarian or pet cemetery owner or pet crematorium owner with a pet disposal disclosure document, in form approved by the secretary of state, which shall set forth the alternative methods of pet disposal, the cost of each such method of pet disposal, if available, and the nature of or place in which each method of disposal will be carried out. The veterinarian or the pet cemetery owner or the pet crematorium owner, as the case may be, shall give to the person who completes the form a copy of the form and retain a copy of said form. If the person completing the form chooses to have the pet disposed of by a pet cemetery or pet crematorium and makes the arrangements therefor through a veterinarian, the veterinarian shall provide the person with the name, location and telephone number of the pet cemetery or pet crematorium so that the person may obtain information about the pet cemetery or pet crematorium. The veterinarian shall also ensure that a copy of the pet disposal form accompanies the pet when it is removed from the veterinarian's office.
2. A veterinarian or pet cemetery operator may complete a pet disposal form with the oral consent of the pet owner. Such oral consent shall be witnessed and a record of such consent and the completed pet disposal form shall be retained in the veterinarian's records. A copy of such completed pet disposal form shall be sent to the pet owner if requested.
3. If a pet owner is unwilling or unable to complete a pet disposal form then a veterinarian may complete the pet disposal form if two attempts are made to contact the pet owner. However, at least one attempt shall be made in writing and sent by first class mail. If the veterinarian does complete the pet disposal form without the consent of the pet owner then a copy of the completed pet disposal form shall be retained by the veterinarian along with the records of the attempts to contact the pet owner.
4. No pet disposal form shall be required if:
(a) no pet owner can be identified;
(b) the pet remains originate with a municipality;
(c) the pet is abandoned pursuant to article twenty-five-B of the agriculture and markets law; or
(d) the pet is to be disposed of without charge to the pet owner.
Last modified: February 3, 2019