Those wanting to adopt pets, could face a background check at shelters.

New legislation signed by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley will authorize shelters to do background checks before allowing someone to adopt a pet.

The bills are intended to prevent animal abusers from adopting pets.

Lawmakers initially voted to require criminal history checks but recently amended the legislation to not mandate such checks.

The bills also allow a state agency to write rules establishing minimum standards for large-scale dog breeding kennels and the housing, care and handling of animals.