An Act To Improve Animal Control in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1508
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: CHIPMAN, SAVIELLO, ACKLEY, BLACK, O'NEIL
Amends: 7 MRSA §3910-C, 7 MRSA §3950-B

Legislative Document
No. 1508
S.P. 533
In Senate, April 25, 2017
An Act To Improve Animal Control in Maine
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Senator: SAVIELLO of Franklin, Representatives: ACKLEY of Monmouth, 
BLACK of Wilton, O'NEIL of Saco.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §3910-C is enacted to read: 
§3910-C.  Cat licenses 
1.  License voluntary.  An owner of a cat may annually voluntarily license the cat 
pursuant to this section. 
2.  License requirements.  A cat license under this section may be obtained from a 
municipal clerk or person authorized to issue a license listed in section 3922, subsection 
1.  The applicant shall provide the municipal clerk or authorized person: 
A.  The cat owner's name and address; 
B.  The breed, sex, color and markings of the cat, if known; and 
C.  Proof of rabies immunization, if any. 
3.  Fee.  A cat owner shall pay a $6 fee to the municipal clerk or authorized person 
for each cat licensed.  The municipal clerk or authorized person shall deposit the fee in 
the municipality's animal welfare account established in accordance with section 3945. 
4.  Termination of license.  The municipal clerk or authorized person shall terminate 
a cat license that has not been renewed for 24 months. 
5.  Rules.  The commissioner may adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to carry out the purposes of this section. 
Sec. 2.  7 MRSA §3950-B is enacted to read: 
§3950-B.  Issuance of cat licenses 
A municipal clerk or a dog recorder in the unorganized territories shall issue a cat 
license in accordance with section 3910-D. The clerk or dog recorder shall keep a record 
of all cat licenses issued, including the names of the owners or keepers of cats licensed 
and the sex, registered numbers and description of those cats except those cats covered by 
a breeding kennel license as defined in section 3907, subsection 8-A. The clerk or dog 
recorder shall make a monthly report to the department on a department-approved form 
of all cat licenses issued and fees received.  
Sec. 3.  Development of animal licensure incentives.  The Commissioner of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall, within existing resources, develop strategies 
to encourage owners of dogs to license their dogs under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
7, chapter 721 and owners of cats to license their cats under Title 7, section 3910-C.  The 
strategies may include, but are not limited to: 
1.  An advertising and public outreach campaign promoting licensure and offering 
incentives donated by participating businesses, including coupons, rewards cards and 
discounts for goods or services;  
2.  Development of an exclusive logo or certificate that may be displayed by 
participating businesses that actively participate in any promotional campaigns developed 
by the commissioner; and   
3.  Coordination with municipalities and other entities authorized to license dogs and 
cats to disseminate information, notices and flyers promoting licensure in municipal 
offices, on publicly accessible municipal websites and in other public buildings. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes a cat license that is optional for cat owners. This bill also directs 
the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to develop strategies to 
encourage owners of dogs and cats to license their pets, including an advertising and 
public outreach campaign promoting licensure; offering incentives such as coupons and 
rewards cards donated by participating businesses; developing an exclusive logo or 
certificate that may be displayed by supporting businesses; and coordinating with 
municipalities and other entities authorized to license dogs and cats to disseminate 
information, notices and flyers promoting licensure.