New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) announced that her “No Pet Left Behind" bill today was signed into law. It will ensure that no pet gets left behind or locked inside when its owner gets evicted.

“The law may treat animals like property, but cats are not like couches and dogs are not like dining tables,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “Animals are sentient beings, members of the family who rely on human care for survival. Plans must be made for their care in the event of an eviction, and this law will ensure that they are.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal introduced the bill last fall after a Brooklyn family was locked out of their apartment, while their two-year-old pit bull rescue, Tori, was left locked inside in a small cage. The family was not allowed to enter the apartment to retrieve Tori, who had no food or place to relieve herself. It took the family two days to obtain a court order allowing them to enter the apartment and rescue Tori.

“Our companion animals are part of our families and give us unconditional love. No pet should ever be left behind and abandoned like an old couch. Those executing eviction notices and those leaving their home have a responsibility to make sure to check the property so an animal is not left behind to die. I want to thank Assemblymember Rosenthal for her efforts to get this bill passed in the Assembly and I thank all those advocates who attended Animal Advocacy Day and contacted their legislators to be a voice for those who have no voice, our companion animals,” said Senator Jim Tedisco, Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee and Senate Chair of NYS Animal Advocacy Day.

The law will now require a marshal who executes an eviction order to check the premises for companion animals and to coordinate with the person getting evicted for care of the animal. If that person cannot be found, then the marshal would be required to connect the animal with the local municipal animal shelter or society for the prevention of cruelty.