§ 17043 Estray Animal Care Liability

• •You must use reasonable care to protect a stray animal you pick up.
• •If the animal dies or escapes while you have it, you are not legally liable.
• •Liability protection only applies while you are holding the animal under this chapter.

You find a lost cat wandering in your yard, bring it inside to keep it safe, but the cat gets sick and dies before you can find its owner.

Because you were trying to protect the cat and used reasonable care, the law says you are not liable for the cat’s death.