Full Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ August 26, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A27A0093. JUSTINE HARMON v. ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY. Justine Harmon filed a complaint against the Atlanta Humane Society (“AHS”), which the trial court dismissed on February 25, 2026.1 Harmon filed a motion for reconsideration, which the trial court denied on April 6, 2026. Harmon then filed a notice of appeal on April 30, 2026. We, however, lack jurisdiction. A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of entry of the order to be appealed. OCGA § 5-6-38(a). The proper and timely filing of a notice of appeal is an absolute requirement to confer jurisdiction upon this Court. Perry v. Paul Hastings, LLP, 362 Ga. App. 140, 141 (866 SE2d 855) (2021). While Harmon filed her notice of appeal within 30 days of the court’s order denying her motion for reconsideration, the denial of a motion for reconsideration is not itself appealable and does not extend the time for filing a notice of appeal. Mosher v. Mosher, 378 Ga. App. 187, 189 (919 SE2d 831) (2025). Harmon’s appeal is untimely as to the February 25, 2026 final order, as it was filed 64 days after entry of the order. 1 Harmon alleged that AHS adopted out her dog without first scanning for a microchip. In its motion to dismiss, AHS argued that Harmon’s claims were barred by OCGA § 4-11-5.2(c), which limits liability for shelters that fail to detect a microchip or contact the owner of an animal. For these reasons, we lack jurisdiction to consider this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 08/26/2026 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written. , Clerk.