AZ Gov. Ducey signs Matthew’s Law to protect family pets

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Today, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed new legislation aimed to protect pets after an owner becomes deceased or is incapable of giving them proper care.

HB 2507, also known as “Matthew’s Law”, was signed in honor of Matthew Meisner who lost his life last year. After his death, his relatives were unable to rescue his cats from his apartment because they were considered personal property.

The new legislation allows landlords to release pets to the relative of a deceased or incapacitated tenant, or to safely move pets to a shelter.

It also allows landlords to deem an animal “abandoned” and remove it to a shelter or boarding facility if the landlord is unable to contact an authorized individual to claim the pet, or if the authorized person fails to respond within a day of written contact.