Maryland Residents: Support Shelter Reform Bill

This action is ONLY for residents of Maryland

Update–5-3-2016: We did it! Thanks to you, Maryland’s governor signed HB 46 into law on April 26. This new law requires animal control facilities to scan incoming animals for a microchip before the animal is adopted out or killed. They also must make reasonable efforts to notify the owner if a microchipped animal is found. Now Maryland residents who microchip their pets will have a much better chance of being reunited with them if they get lost.

Thank you for helping this law pass and being a voice for the animals!

Update: Great news! Thanks to you, Maryland HB 46 has passed the legislature. The bill requires animal control to scan an animal for a microchip before the animal is adopted out or killed. It also requires animal control to make reasonable efforts to notify an animal's owner of where and how the animal can be reclaimed. The bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk, where it must be signed in order to become law. We’ll keep you posted on how it progresses. Thank you for being a voice for the animals!

Original Issue:

The Maryland Senate is considering a shelter reform bill that would protect pets in shelters by requiring animal control to carefully check all impounded animals for identifiers like microchips, tags, and tattoos before they are adopted out or killed. The bill, HB 46, would also require animal control to make a reasonable effort to notify identified animals’ owners and tell them where their animal is and how to retrieve them. HB 46 would keep pets safer in shelters and help more owners reunite with their lost cats and dogs.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will be meeting on March 30 to discuss the bill.

Before the hearing, contact your Senators and tell them to support HB 46 and protect your pets.