45:16-8.3 Veterinary facilities to post notice regarding supervision after normal business hours; terms defined.

1. a. Every veterinary facility in the State shall post its normal business hours in a conspicuous location easily visible to the public.

b. (1) A veterinarian overseeing the care of a domestic companion animal at a veterinary facility that does not provide domestic companion animals with supervision after normal business hours by a person physically on the premises shall provide written notification to each person bringing a domestic companion animal to the veterinary facility for care or treatment. The written notification may be provided as a sign posted next to the posting required pursuant to subsection a. of this section, as part of a sign used to meet the posting requirement of that subsection, or on an intake form provided to each person bringing a domestic companion animal to the veterinary facility.

(2) The written notification provided in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include the following specific language:

"This veterinary facility does NOT provide supervision for animals after normal business hours by a person physically on these premises."

This language shall be printed in no less than 12-point font in an intake form and no less than 24-point font on a posted sign.

c. As used in this section:

"Domestic companion animal" means any animal commonly referred to as a "pet," which has been bought, bred, raised or otherwise acquired, in accordance with local ordinances and State and federal law, for the primary purpose of providing companionship to the owner, rather than for business or agricultural purposes.

"Normal business hours" means the times posted at a veterinary facility indicating the hours that the veterinary facility is open for business with supervising staff available.

"Veterinarian" means any person engaged in the licensed practice of veterinary medicine as defined by R.S.45:16-8.1.

"Veterinary facility" means any place or establishment, operated on a for-profit basis, where a domestic companion animal, which is not owned by either the proprietor or care-giving veterinarian, is treated, temporarily sheltered, fed, and watered for veterinary care purposes. "Veterinary facility" may include an animal or veterinary facility as defined in section 1 of P.L.1983, c. 98 (C.45:16-1.1).

d. A veterinarian who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a public reprimand by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and any other penalties the board imposes.

L.2015, c.110, s.1.