Senate committee hears 'catnapping' bill to set stray-hold rules and legal immunity for shelters

The Senate Committee on Judiciary heard testimony April 28 on House Bill 3,604 A, a measure establishing a legal framework for animal holding agencies that take possession of cats believed to be stray, unowned, or abandoned.

Sponsor Representative Tom Anderson (House District 19) described the measure as a response to growing numbers of stray and feral cats and uneven county capacity for intake and reunification. "I support this bill, which passed on the House floor with strong bipartisan support on April 22," Anderson said, describing the bill informally in his office as the "catnapping bill."

Under the draft, an animal holding agency that complies with procedures would be immune from criminal liability for theft of a cat and from related civil liability. Agencies must record the identity and contact information of the person transferring a cat, verify whether that person believes the cat to be unowned or stray, post a photo and information on the agency website within 24 hours, and hold the cat for three business days if the cat lacks a license or microchip or five business days if it has a license or microchip (or longer if local ordinance requires). The agency must provide necessary medical and preventative care during the holding period.

Veronica Broadley of the Oregon Humane Society testified the bill creates consistent statewide guidance and protects responsible agencies, allowing shelters to reunite owners and to adopt out unclaimed cats without fear of civil or criminal exposure. "The goal of this bill is to establish a legal framework that sets a stray hold period for cats, sets standards for agencies that are taking in the stray cats, and provides a means for an agency to become the owner of the cat if the cat goes unclaimed," Broadley said.

Nikki Terziev of Humane World for Animals said the organization supported the bill: "We are pro catnap, but opposed to catnapping. We would like to see this bill move forward." Committee members asked why the bill focuses on cats rather than dogs; testimony noted Oregon already has an established framework for stray dogs under existing statutes (chapter 609).

Supporters said the measure would reduce shelter liability concerns that currently deter some counties or private agencies from taking in stray cats, streamline reunification for owners, and help address overpopulation through coordinated intake and veterinary care. Opponents on the House floor had raised questions about whether local practices and hold periods would be disrupted; proponents said the bill is limited to agencies that meet the bill’s requirements and does not affect trap-neuter-return programs.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 3,604 A; no committee vote was taken at the hearing. Sponsors asked the committee to consider the bill in a future work session.