2025 Animal Law Update: New York’s Latest Legislative Changes

1:00 p.m. – 1:05 p.m.

CLE Welcome Remarks

Moderator and Introductions:

Barbara J. Ahern, Esq., Attorney at Law, Troy, NY

1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.

2025 Animal Law Update: New York's Latest Legislative Changes

Every year the New York State legislature considers numerous bills that would benefit the animals among us and passes several of those bills. This program will examine the new laws enacted by the legislature in 2025 that address companion animals, animal cruelty and other issues, including a provision passed as part of the budget to assist animal shelters. In addition, the program will discuss a bill passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor that would have regulated pet insurance.

• Chapter 420, Laws of 2025 (S.1373/A.4910) – provides for voluntary contributions to a municipal animal pound/shelter when a dog license is purchased. (Presented by Aaron E. Meyer, Esq.)
• Chapter 450, Laws of 2025 (A.6556/S.5514) – amends the “red flag” law to take into account acts of aggravated cruelty to animals in the determination whether a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order, preventing the possession of a firearm, should be granted. (Presented by: Joanne M. White, Esq.)
• Chapter 507, Laws of 2025 (A.1672-A/S.6822-A) – prohibits contracts for the purchase or lease of a dog or cat from an online website from containing a provision allowing for repossession of the animal. (Presented by: Susan P. Witkin, Esq.)
• Chapter 653, Laws of 2025 (A.4997/S.4289) – prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial or biomedical purposes. (Presented by: Nora Lawrence Schmitt, Esq.)
• Budgetary Appropriation in the 2025-26 Capital Projects Budget, S.3004-D/A.3004-D, providing funds for grants under the Companion Animal Capital Fund awarded to animal shelters and animal rescues for capital improvements. (Presented by: Marilyn Quinn Anderson, Esq.)
• Veto #34 of 2025 (A.1433-A/S.5324-A), regulating pet insurance and providing standards for pet insurance policies. (Presented by: Maria Proietti, Esq.)

Speakers:

Aaron E. Meyer, Esq., The Willis Law Group, Garland, TX

Joanne White, Esq., Law Office of Joanne M. White, Clifton Park, NY

Susan P. Witkin, Esq., The Law Offices of Susan P. Witkin, PLLC, Plainview, NY

Nora Lawrence Schmitt, Esq., GRAIL, Inc., New York, NY

Marilyn Quinn Anderson, Esq., Law Office of Marilyn Quinn Anderson, PLLC, North Baldwin, NY

Maria Proietti, Esq., Attorney and Counselor-at-Law, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

1:55 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Q&A