Saratoga County District Attorney
Office of District Attorney Brett R. Eby
Key Points
- Created in 2025 by action of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors
- Applies to anyone age 18 or older convicted of animal cruelty and residing in Saratoga County
- Animal sellers, adopters, and transferors must check the registry before ownership changes
OVERVIEW
What this initiative does
The Animal Abuse Registry is designed to help protect animals and give the public a clear way to review individuals who are required to register following qualifying animal cruelty convictions. By making this information accessible, Saratoga County can better prevent future abuse, assist those involved in animal adoptions or transfers, and strengthen the community’s response to animal cruelty.
Created in 2025
Who must register
Not retroactive
Required Check
Anyone selling, giving away, or adopting an animal in Saratoga County must check the registry before transfer.
WHY IT MATTERS
Protecting animals and strengthening public accountability
The registry supports transparency, deterrence, and public awareness. It also reflects the County’s broader view that animal cruelty is a serious public-safety issue that deserves a coordinated response.
Transparency
Deterrence
Public registration adds accountability and reinforces that cruelty offenses carry real consequences beyond the initial conviction.
Prevention
Requiring a registry check before animal ownership changes helps prevent animals from being placed with individuals who have qualifying cruelty convictions.
Coordination
The registry works alongside the Animal Crimes Task Force and County partners to improve reporting, resource sharing, and overall animal protection efforts.
HOW IT WORKS
From conviction to public listing
The registry process is designed to make accountability clear and accessible. When an eligible individual is convicted of a qualifying animal cruelty offense and is required to register, that information becomes available through the Saratoga County Animal Abuse Registry. This helps residents, shelters, and others involved in animal transfers check the registry before placing an animal in someone’s care.
Conviction
A qualifying animal cruelty conviction triggers the registration requirement for eligible Saratoga County residents.
Registration
The individual must register with the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office in accordance with the local law.
Public listing
The registrant appears in the Animal Abuse Registry so the public can verify whether restrictions apply.
Check before transfer
Anyone selling, giving away, or adopting an animal in Saratoga County must check the registry before ownership changes.
RECENT MILESTONES
Launch of the registry
The launch of the Animal Abuse Registry marked an important step in Saratoga County’s broader effort to prevent animal cruelty, increase accountability, and give the public clearer access to registry information.
February 19, 2026
Registry officially launched
District Attorney Brett Eby announced the official launch of the Saratoga County Animal Abuse Registry, marking a major milestone in the County’s ongoing efforts to combat animal cruelty and protect vulnerable animals.
Why this matters
Public safety and prevention
The registry provides a public-facing tool for transparency, accountability, and deterrence. It also helps residents, shelters, and others involved in animal transfers make more informed decisions before placing animals in someone’s care.
TASK FORCE & REPORTING
How residents can report suspected animal abuse
The Animal Crimes Task Force page serves as an important companion resource to the Animal Abuse Registry. Together, these efforts help Saratoga County prevent animal cruelty, improve information-sharing among county departments, and make reporting options more accessible to residents.
Animal Crimes Task Force
The Task Force was formed as part of a comprehensive effort to prevent and address cases of animal abuse in Saratoga County and to strengthen information-sharing across departments.
Time-sensitive reports
The current County guidance says that time-sensitive reports should be made by calling the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office at 518-885-6761.
Other inquiries or tips
For non-emergency inquiries, the live page can include the County’s animal-crimes tip email and a button linking directly to the reporting resource.
Related resources
Suggested links: Animal Abuse Registry Law, Animal Crimes Task Force page, Saratoga County Animal Shelter, Sheriff’s Office website, and District Attorney’s Office website.
Continue exploring this initiative
Residents can return to the main Accomplishments & Initiatives page, view the registry, or access related animal-crimes resources.
Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office
25 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
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