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Utah's new law restricts when government-run animal shelters can euthanize animals, requiring that no reasonable alternatives be available before an animal is put down. Before euthanizing an animal, a shelter must first wait out the required holding period, notify other shelters and rescue groups that have expressed interest in taking animals, and give those organizations two business days to request and collect the animal. Exceptions allow shelters to proceed with euthanasia for animals suffering from serious injury or illness, or for dogs legally declared dangerous or vicious — and shelters are not required to transfer animals to rescue groups whose staff have animal cruelty convictions or pending charges.