On October 15, 2015 LD 1023 ("An Act To Revise the Maine Welfare Laws") went into effect.
To save cats, we need to change this law.


We value the lives of stray, feral, and abandoned cats. Each of us dedicates ourselves to doing what we can, when we can. Our mission is to continue our work.

Let's Change LD 1023!

In Maine there are dozens of cat rescuers. We work alone, we work in small groups, some have a dedicated founder and groups of volunteers.

There are two changes to the law in LD 1023 which will create problems for all of us.

Please bear with this explanation as it can be confusing and if you have any questions please ask!

(1) It changed the legal definition of "animal rescue group" to include an "individual" so now a single person who rescues cats is considered a animal rescue group.

So, any person who takes in a stray cat with the intent of having it adopted becomes an rescue group.

(2) It changed the legal definition of "animal rescue group" to "animal shelter."

So, all single rescuers are now animal welfare groups, and all animal welfare groups are now going to be subject to the rules and regulations for shelters.

For most of us this is impossible!

It is important to understand that obtaining a license means that a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may inspect your home without obtaining a search warrant and with no evidence or suspicion that the cats/kittens in your care are being mistreated in any way.

There are penalties for lack of compliance. If you do not obtain a license, there are penalties for that, too.

We consulted an attorney who suggested that it is a violation of the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution prohibition against unreasonable search and seizure to enter private homes in search for "contraband kittens" without a warrant. Although we find the thought that this could actually happen ludicrous, we have been assured that the law can be interpreted to allow it.

This law effectively shifts the burden of caring for thousands of abandoned cats and kittens from a network of volunteers doing private fundraising to the individual towns.

In short, we believe this legislation, no matter how well intended, will have the following negative consequences:

• cost the taxpayers money,

• increase the number of free roaming cats and kittens as municipalities may not have the resources to deal with the problem,

• increase the incidence of feline specific diseases,

• increase euthanasia rates in shelters,

• create cat hoarding situations as individuals and small groups continue to rescue but cease adoption activity.

Please help us advocate!

What do we want?

Two changes to LD 1023.

(1) Remove the word “individual” from the definition of “animal rescue”;
(2) Exempt any volunteer run animal rescue which provides shelter in foster homes only from having to be an “animal shelter.”

Together, we can do this!