Animal Protection Act

Submit a Comment on Georgia's Proposed Animal Protection Act Rule Changes

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments on proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Act Rules through June 22, 2026.

The proposed amendments would add definitions for domestic cats and stray cats, update shelter and rescue intake provisions, and revise recordkeeping requirements. However, many animal welfare advocates are concerned that the proposal does not address important categories of cats commonly managed through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, including feral cats, community cats, and community caretakers.

Without clear definitions and guidance, shelters, rescue organizations, veterinarians, local governments, and volunteers may face uncertainty regarding how community cats and managed TNR programs fit within Georgia's animal welfare framework.

We encourage Georgia residents to respectfully share their views with the Department and request that community cats, feral cats, community caretakers, and TNR programs be formally recognized within the Animal Protection Act Rules.

You can review the proposed amendments directly on the Georgia Department of Agriculture website here.

Please use the form below to submit your comment.

Full Name: (Required)

City / State: (Required)

Organization (Optional):

Your Message:

Dear Mr. Murrah and Members of the Georgia Department of Agriculture,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to Georgia's Animal Protection Act Rules.

I appreciate the Department's efforts to improve animal welfare oversight and provide clearer definitions regarding cats entering Georgia's shelter system. However, I respectfully request that the Department address a significant gap in the proposed rules by recognizing feral cats, community cats, community caretakers, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.

While the proposed amendments define domestic cats and stray cats, they do not clearly address free-roaming community cats that are managed through TNR programs across Georgia. These cats represent a significant portion of the outdoor cat population and are regularly cared for by volunteers, rescue organizations, veterinarians, and community caretakers.

Community cats are also the source of many of the kittens and cats that ultimately enter Georgia's already overwhelmed shelters. By reducing reproduction through Trap-Neuter-Return programs, communities can help prevent future shelter intake rather than relying solely on shelters to manage the consequences of unchecked population growth.

There is also a significant financial incentive to invest in prevention. Providing clear recognition and guidance for TNR programs, including clarification that properly managed TNR is not considered abandonment, could encourage greater participation by local governments and animal welfare organizations in effective population management strategies. Prevention-based approaches can reduce shelter intake, improve animal welfare outcomes, and lessen the burden on taxpayers and local shelter systems.

I respectfully encourage the Department to consider adding definitions for:

• Feral Cat – a free-roaming cat that is not socialized to humans and is generally unsuitable for placement as a household pet.

• Community Cat – a free-roaming outdoor cat, whether feral or socialized, that lives in a community setting.

• Community Caretaker – a person who voluntarily provides food, water, shelter, monitoring, or veterinary care for community cats.

I also request clarification that cats returned to their established territory through a managed Trap-Neuter-Return program are not considered abandoned animals when ongoing caretaker oversight exists.

Providing clear definitions and guidance regarding community cats and TNR programs would improve consistency in enforcement, recordkeeping, and animal welfare practices throughout Georgia while supporting humane efforts to reduce pet overpopulation.

Thank you for your consideration and your continued commitment to animal welfare.

Respectfully,