07/04/2026
Governor Brian Kemp PLEASE SIGN THESE INTO LAW!
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GA LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY: Six of nine animal-related bills passed with overwhelming support in 2026 and are awaiting the Governor’s signature (or 40 days) to become law. MANY THANKS to the lawmakers who sponsored and cosponsored these bills.
HB 1283 (Representative Esther Panitch): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73132
Designated as the “Family Justice Center Act.” Authorizes the establishment and funding of Family Justice Centers (FJC) to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to serving victims of family violence, child abuse, elder abuse, s*xual assault, and human trafficking that co-locate public and private service providers, including law enforcement officers, in a single, safe, and accessible location. Victims of domestic violence often delay leaving abusive households out of fear for the safety of their pets; the FJC’s multidisciplinary approach includes provisions for pets.
Status: Passed House 170-0 / Passed Senate 48-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
SB 587 (Senator Shawn Still): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73645
Provides for the establishment of an animal cruelty database, subject to appropriations, that will be created and administered by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia and updated monthly. The purpose of this free and publicly searchable database will be to assist animal shelters and animal control agencies involved in animal placement determinations in screening prospective owners and preventing animals from being placed in dangerous situations. Those convicted of, or who plead guilty or nolo contendre to, the following offenses will be included in the database: Cruelty and Aggravated Cruelty to animals (O.C.G.A. 16-12-4), Dogfighting (O.C.G.A. 16-12-37), Be******ty (O.C.G.A. 16-6-6), Criminal trespass involving a wild animal (O.C.G.A. 16-7-21.2), and Interfering with, harming of, or aggravated harming of a public safety animal or search and rescue animal (O.C.G.A. 16-11-107). Note. Local ordinance violations will not appear in this registry.
Status: Passed Senate 48-0 / Passed House 163-0
Further amendments are likely needed in 2027 to strengthen the impact of the database.
Comments from animal law attorney Claudine Wilkins: Under the Georgia “First Offender Act” (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60), people convicted of Cruelty, Aggravated Cruelty, or Dog Fighting (felonies) may opt to avoid a permanent conviction by completing certain court-ordered requirements such as probation or community service. Once these requirements are completed, the offender may apply to have their record sealed. SB 587 does require “a person who has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere” to such offenses to be listed on the registry. However, a challenge could be raised based on the First Offender Act. Adding Title 16 felonies to the list of crimes in O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60(j) for which First Offender sentencing is not authorized would prevent any challenges (e.g., all the crimes for which one is required to be on the s*x offender registry are also crimes for which you can’t request First Offender sentencing). In addition, the bill does not specify how long a person would remain on the registry.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT with revisions to address concerns.
HB 1408 (Representative Beth Camp): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73461
Authorizes licensed veterinary technicians to administer the rabies vaccine to animals under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. “Direct supervision” means that the attending veterinarian is onsite where the vaccine is administered.
Status: Passed House 170-0 / Passed Senate 50-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
HB 1195 (Representative Rob Leverett): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72844
Amends O.C.G.A. § 43-50-121 and clarifies the intent that a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) is NOT required for licensed veterinarians or licensed veterinary technicians (supervised by a Georgia-licensed veterinarian) to provide veterinary teleadvice or veterinary teletriage, and resolves confusion about geographic requirements that created uncertainty for practitioners around access to teletriage services. An unintended consequence of the original law was a shutdown of poison control services by Pet Poison Helpline and the ASPCA. The passage of HB 1195 restores those services.
Status: Passed House 172-0 / Passed Senate 47-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
HB 668 (Representative Brad Thomas): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70962
Provides a much-needed update to Georgia law surrounding service animals. Redefines service dogs to include assistance and guide dogs; provides for a criminal penalty for a person who causes death or physical harm to a service dog; revises provisions relating to the use and training of service dogs; and provides for a penalty for persons who misrepresent the need for a service dog.
Status: Passed House 168-0 / Passed Senate 47-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
SB 586 (Senator Rick Williams): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73644
Designated as the “K-9 Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2026.” Amends O.C.G.A. § 16-11-107, relating to interfering with or harming/aggravated harming of a public safety animal or search/rescue animal, so as to provide for commendations of public safety animals and search/rescue animals that are injured or killed in the line of duty.
Status: Passed Senate 49-0 / Passed House 166-1
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
NOTE:
SB 102 passed the Senate in 2025 but did not progress further in 2026. Georgia remains the only U.S. state without a c**kfighting statute!
SB 102 (Senator Randy Robertson): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69979
Amends the dogfighting law (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-37) to add prohibitions on c**kfighting, possession or sales of fighting related equipment, and permitting a minor to attend a dog fight or c**k fight. Cockfighting is illegal by federal law but requires the FBI or federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases. Passage of SB 102 will enable local and state law enforcement to handle these cases.
Status: Passed Senate 49-3 (2025). Did not receive a hearing and vote by the House Judicial Non-Civil Committee in 2026.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
