Augusta, Maine 04333-0028

Norma J. Worley, Director  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

1) What is the Animal Welfare Advisory Council?

The Animal Welfare Advisory Council was created to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture on matters that pertain to the Animal Welfare Program per M.R.S.A. Title 7 § 3906-C.

2) What are the duties of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council?

The council performs the following duties:

• Reviews and advises the commissioner on proposed revisions to the animal welfare laws and rules.
• Assists the commissioner in the continuing implementation and evaluation of the animal welfare laws and rules.
• Reviews training programs for humane agents and animal control officers and makes recommendations for training appropriate to the duties of the humane agents and animal control officers.
• Researches options for increasing revenue to the Animal Welfare Fund to ensure funding for the implementation and enforcement of the animal welfare laws and rules
• Advises the commissioner on other matters related to the animal welfare laws and rules.

3) Does AWAC have any supervisory jurisdiction over departmental Animal Welfare personnel?

AWAC has no supervisory jurisdiction over departmental personnel. All personnel matters are the responsibility of the Commissioner and his staff.

4) How are the AWAC members appointed?

The Governor appoints all AWAC members.

5) How many AWAC members are there and whom do they represent?

There are 12 members representing the following:

• One member representing municipal interests;
• One animal control officer;
• One member representing licensed animal shelters;
• One member representing licensed boarding or breeding kennels;
• One member representing licensed pet shops;
• One member representing the public;
• One member who is or has been a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state;
• One attorney with experience in animal welfare law;
• One cooperative extension agent or specialist;
• One member with expertise in equine care;
• One member with expertise in livestock representing a statewide farming organization; and
• One member representing a State-based animal advocacy group.

Also the Commissioner or the commissioner’s designee serves as an ex officio nonvoting member.

Help Fix ME, the State of Maine’s new low-income spay/neuter program for cats and dogs, has been inundated with requests for assistance. This program will keep thousands of unwanted animals from being born and relinquished to Maine’s shelters.

American novelist William Gaddis once wrote, "Justice? You get justice in the next world, in this world you have the law." Few people understand this thought better than Lauren Ward, a nurse from Cupertino, California, who lost her puppy to random, senseless fate but found some comfort in her state's legislature.

Angus