Ohio finished building the state facility in Reynoldsburg quite speedily, to the tune of $2.8 million. Columbus Dispatch reports the enclosures for the largest animals to be 10 x 18 which falls short of the very requirements private owners are forced to abide by February 25, 2013, according to the new temporary caging standards.
SB310 does not go fully into effect until January 1, 2014, yet the state has mandated microchipping and implemented temporary caging standards in the interim. The state of Ohio has said they will work with sanctuaries to place the animals confiscated, but all sanctuaries and AZA zoos testifying at hearings for SB310 admitted the would not take them or the sanctuaries were full and had no money to take them. Some even admitted they knew healthy animals would have to be euthanized due to no place to go.
Many size requirements are above the exempted groups' standards and the other requirements also quite expensive which will force many to relinquish animals long owned and supported by the owner. Ohio has definitely made the life of many Ohio owners much harder, put many out of business and is certainly no friend to these animals.
Animals used to daily interaction, used to certain people, will be thrown into a strange, sterile environment with people contracted to come feed and clean up. Elderly animals simply may not make the change, transporting and stress. Those that do aren't likely to find "sanctuary," with all claiming to be full and lacking funding.
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