GA Pet Coalition Submits Comments on Proposed Animal Protection Act Rules

Caregiver tends to community cats

The Georgia Pet Coalition recently submitted formal comments to the Georgia Department of Agriculture regarding proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Act Rules.

Our comments focused on ensuring that Georgia's regulations better recognize and support evidence-based management of community cats through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. Among our recommendations, we urged the Department to:

• Add clear definitions for community cats, feral cats, community cat caregivers, TNR program participants, and TNR programs.

• Clarify that volunteers participating in TNR programs are not operating animal shelters or rescue organizations solely because they temporarily trap, transport, or care for community cats during the TNR process.

• Confirm that community cats returned to their original outdoor homes through managed TNR programs are not considered abandoned.

• Revise certain terminology to improve scientific accuracy and regulatory clarity.

These recommendations are intended to provide clearer guidance for veterinarians, animal shelters, rescue organizations, property owners, and the many volunteers who work to humanely manage community cat populations across Georgia.

The Georgia Pet Coalition appreciates the Department of Agriculture's willingness to accept public input and looks forward to continuing to work with state leaders to advance practical, humane animal welfare policies throughout Georgia.