---
title: O.C.G.A. § 4-14-1. Legislative findings and policy.
collection: code
id: 4-14-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 4-14-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-14-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-14-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-14-1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t4-6-(v4)-2013-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=8c0a1199_0#page=163
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-14.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-13-10.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-14-2.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: ANIMALS / STERILIZATION OF DOGS AND CATS IN SHELTERS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 4-14-1. Legislative findings and policy.

The General Assembly finds that the breeding of dogs and cats acquired from public or private animal shelters, animal control agencies operated by political subdivisions of this state, humane societies, or public or private animal refuges in the State of Georgia results in the birth of thousands of animals who become strays, suffer privation and death, constitute a public nuisance and health hazard, and, ultimately, are impounded and destroyed at great public expense. It is therefore declared to be the public policy of this state that preventing the breeding of dogs and cats acquired from such shelters, animal control agencies, humane societies, or public or private animal refuges be encouraged.

## History

Code 1981, § 4-14-1, enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 999, § 1.