In this subtitle, “animal shelter” means: (1) A county or municipal animal control facility; (2) An organization that contracts with a county or municipality for animal control; or (3) An organization that shelters animals and has received a grant from the Spay/Neuter Fund under Subtitle 16 of this title during the previous year.
(a) The General Assembly finds that animal shelters perform an integral community service. (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to enhance animal shelter services by promoting humane animal sheltering policies and strengthening community safety.
(a) On or before January 1, 2017, an animal shelter shall establish a written veterinary care protocol for dogs and cats that is consistent with guidelines set forth in the most recent Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters with respect to: (1) Basic care; (2) Sanitation; (3) Population management; (4) Disease control and prevention; […]
(a) On or before January 1, 2017, an animal shelter shall establish and make available to the public on the animal shelter’s Web site or in a conspicuous location within the animal shelter’s facility: (1) A written protocol for reclaiming animals from the animal shelter that includes: (i) The minimum holding period for stray animals; (ii) The hours of […]
(a) On or before January 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt minimum standards of care for dogs and cats in animal shelters that are consistent with: (1) The most recent Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters; and (2) The most recent guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters prepared by the […]
On or before January 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt regulations to enforce this subtitle.
(a) A person who violates this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $500. (b) The criminal penalties under Title 12, Subtitle 1 of this article do not apply to this subtitle.
