Enables 3-chloroallyl aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid biosynthetic process and negative regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including optic cup morphogenesis involved in camera-type eye development; positive regulation of apoptotic process; and retinoid metabolic process. Located in axon and synapse. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; genitourinary system; nervous system; respiratory system; and sensory organ. Orthologous to human ALDH1A1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]