Colorado § 12-315-115 Abandonment of animals - definition

Colorado Statutes

§ 12-315-115 — Abandonment of animals - definition

Colorado § 12-315-115

Title 12Professions

Art.Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Veterinary Professional Associates

This text of Colorado § 12-315-115 (Abandonment of animals - definition) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-315-115 (2026).

Text

(1)An animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for treatment, boarding, or other care that is unclaimed by its owner or the owner's agent for more than ten days after written notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, is given to the addressee at the last-known address is deemed to be abandoned and may be turned over to the nearest animal shelter or disposed of in a manner deemed appropriate by the custodian.

(2)The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner, of the animal by the licensed veterinarian, as provided in subsection (1) of this section, shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and any custodian to whom the animal may be given of any further liability for disposal. The procedure by the licensed veterinarian shall not constitute

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

(1) An animal placed in
the custody of a licensed veterinarian for treatment, boarding, or other care that is
unclaimed by its owner or the owner's agent for more than ten days after written
notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, is given to the addressee at the
last-known address is deemed to be abandoned and may be turned over to the
nearest animal shelter or disposed of in a manner deemed appropriate by the
custodian.

(2) The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner, of the animal
by the licensed veterinarian, as provided in subsection (1) of this section, shall
relieve the licensed veterinarian and any custodian to whom the animal may be
given of any further liability for disposal. The procedure by the licensed veterinarian
shall not constitute grounds for disciplining procedure under this part 1.

(3) As used in this section, the term abandoned means to forsake entirely,
or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and
support of an animal by its owner or the owner's agent. Abandonment constitutes
the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the owner to the animal.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1633, � 1, effective October 1. L. 2022: Entire section amended, (HB 22-1235), ch. 442, p. 3106, � 16, effective August 10.