"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 498-A, sponsored by Council Members Quinn, Comrie, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Nelson, Palma, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Vallone, Weprin, Recchia, Gonzalez, Gerson, James and Speaker Miller. This bill requires animal owners to provide proof of vaccination against certain communicable diseases before placing their pets in boarding kennels or other similar establishments.

"The City's Health Code currently prohibits boarding kennel operators from accepting sick or otherwise potentially contagious animals, unless under the care of a veterinarian.  While this provision has offered some limited protections to pets that kennels will be free from disease, the burden has fallen on kennel operators to make a determination as to whether an animal was sick.  Introductory Number 498-A mitigates this burden by requiring pet owners to provide written documentation from a veterinarian that their animal has been vaccinated against certain diseases prior to being accepted for boarding. This information must be kept on file for 12 months and available for inspection by the Department of Health.

"This is a commonsense measure that will help ensure the safety and health of pets when they are out of their owner's care.

"I would like to thank the City Council and Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Commissioner Tom Frieden for their hard work and leadership on this issue."