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fka Maine Federation of Humane Societies
🌷 April Newsletter 🌷
Maine Humane Updates
On April 9, we held our second public meeting of 2025 at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. Board President Katie Hansberry provided updates on Maine Humane's current initiatives, along with a summary of key legislative developments related to bills currently in session. Below are the highlights from the legislative update:
LD 124 – An Act to Protect the Right to Food
- Would define “food sovereignty” and “traditional foodways” in statue, which could result in unintended consequences which would be detrimental to animals raised for food. While there are references to processes being “ecologically sound” and “sustainable” a consideration for animal welfare is lacking.
- Position: Oppose (in part)
- Status: Public hearing held by the ACF Committee, waiting for work session to be scheduled.
LD 133 – An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding Nuisance Dogs
- Would amend the definition of "nuisance dog" to include a dog or wolf hybrid that disturbs the peace of an individual by excessive barking, howling or yelping.
- Position: Oppose
- Status: ACF Committee voted unanimously ought not to pass, so the bill is dead.
LD 308 – An Act to Update the Laws Governing the Administration of AWAC
- Would allow AWAC to utilize sub-committees.
- Position: Support
- Status: ACF Committee voted unanimously ought to pass and the bill was signed into law by the Governor.
LD 498 – Resolve, to Improve Standards for Animal Rescue Entities
- Would require the ACF Department to adopt rules that set standards for animal rescue entities that specify staff-to-animal ratios and that govern animals that are returned multiple times.
- Position: Oppose
- Status: ACF Committee voted unanimously ought not to pass, so the bill is dead.
- Would allow licensed vet techs to administer rabies vaccines under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian and allow the state to certify certain individuals as rabies vaccine administrators.
- Position: Support
- Status: ACF Committee voted unanimously ought to pass as amended. Will now go to the House and Senate.
LD 824 – An Act Regarding Pet Fees in Rental Housing
- Would cap pet security deposits and require they be refundable and cap what can be charged for monthly pet rent.
- Position: Support
- Status: Public hearing held, the work session was postponed and will be rescheduled.
Our guest, Lindsay Hamrick, Director of Shelter Outreach and Engagement at Humane World for Animals, joined us via Zoom to share insights into the organization’s work with shelters. She discussed available resources and highlighted current trends in animal welfare. You can view her presentation below.
Additionally, Animal Welfare Program Director Ronda Steciuk and State Veterinarian Dr. Rachael Fiske joined us to lead an informative Q&A session. Dr. Fiske provided an update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and cattle, addressed its occurrence in cats, and shared the HPAI Testing in Feline Patients Decision Flowchart. You can view the presentation slides below.
‼️ SAVE THE DATE! ‼️
We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming public meeting, taking place on
June 11th at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.
This event will feature an in-depth session on behavior training for cats and dogs, followed by an opportunity to enjoy lunch, network with fellow attendees, and tour the facility. We look forward to welcoming you!
The Animal Welfare Advisory Council met on March 26th and discussed several pieces of legislation, including LD 528 An Act to Address the Rise in Rabies in Animals by Appointing Certified Rabies Vaccine Administrators, which was drafted and brought forward by AWAC.
This bill is supported by the Department of Agriculture, including their State Veterinarians, as well as the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Maine Veterinary Medical Association. Rabies is an important public health risk, and increasing vaccinations for companion animals is a vital way to combat the spread overall and risk to people. Rabies vaccines are also required for dogs to be licensed. We want to encourage dog licensing since much of the state’s animal cruelty investigations are funded by those license sales.
The bill would allow for Licensed Veterinary Technicians to administer rabies vaccines under the “indirect” supervision of a veterinarian, rather than “direct” supervision as is the standard now. It also creates a Certified Rabies Vaccinator role that will allow other qualified individuals to complete a training with the State Veterinarian and then be allowed to administer rabies vaccines under the Department of Agriculture guidelines. This will be especially helpful in rural areas of Maine where there are no current resources to hold vaccine clinics.
AWAC has also crafted the flyer promoting the animal welfare license plate. Now is a great time to make the switch as the old chickadee plates get retired. Please help us spread the word about the license plate, which funds animal cruelty prevention as well as the Help Fix ME program! This graphic can be posted to your website, shared via social media, printed as a handout, or as a poster to hang in strategic locations like the towns halls in your communities.
Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st at 1:30 PM.
🐶 Maine C.A.R.E.S Workshop 🐶
The ASPCA is offering a free animal cruelty investigations and response workshop, “Maine C.A.R.E.S.,” on May 20 & 21 in Portland. Attendees will engage in a comprehensive case study from start to finish and develop and practice essential skills in investigation, seizure, evidence documentation, testimony, legal disposition, sheltering, care, and animal placement. They will also learn strategies for effectively managing the complexities of animal-related cases.
ASPCA is hoping to draw participants statewide and will be offering travel stipends for those who are more than 75 miles away.
Continuing Education credits will also be offered.
Maximizing Social Media for Animal Reunification during Disasters or Emergencies for Animal Shelters
Tue, May 6th, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
NEFHS Presents: Bird Care in Shelters with Sheila Blanchette
Wed, May 14th, 2025 11:00 AM
Yes, in My Back (And Front!) Yard: Normalizing and Legalizing Wildlife Gardens
Thu, May 15th, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
🐰 Hoppy Easter Everybody! 🐰
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