Animal lovers take heart, Delegate Mark Chang (D), Anne Arundel County, will be introducing a bill that seeks to restrict the number of euthanizations an animal shelter can perform. (HB57). This bill hopes to put a dent in the 90% kill rate at Maryland shelters.
A sad fact is that shelters have limited resources and a lot of stray and surrendered animals.
The Bill reads (Section (I), page 5) that if an animal is turned in or picked up as a stray and the shelter learns who the owner is, the shelter must let them know how to reclaim the animal.
A shelter may not prohibit the adoption or reclamation of an animal based on its breed, breed mix, species, age, color, appearance or size.
The shelter is prohibited from euthanizing an animal before seven business days from the date the animal was acquired.
At least two business days prior to scheduled euthanization the shelter must make reasonable attempts to notify “any rescue organization or other animal shelter that previously has requested to be notified before an animal is euthanized; unless a licensed veterinarian certifies that there is evidence of neglect or animal cruelty, the owner who surrendered the animal; and if the animal is a stray, the individual who surrendered the animal; and if an individual who surrendered the animal; and if an individual described in this subsection requests to reclaim the animal, give possession of that animal to that individual.”
Shelters must comply with all the requirements in the bill before an animal can be put down. Shelters must verify no alternative arrangements could be made before an animal can be euthanized.
Frederick County has local animal welfare groups if you find yourself in need.
Frederick County Humane Society
Animal Welfare League of Frederick County
