On Thursday, March 13, 2025, starting at 1PM, the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is scheduled to accept public testimony on LD 528, An Act to Address the Rise in Rabies in Animals by Appointing Certified Rabies Vaccine Administrators. The bill would authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry in consultation with state veterinarians to (1) develop a training program to vaccinate animals that includes, but is not limited to, training relating to properly storing and administering rabies vaccines; issuing rabies certificates; and providing information to an owner or keeper of an animal to be vaccinated; (2) adopt rules to establish procedures for appointment and certification of certified rabies vaccinators; and (3) provide them immunity from civil liability.
LD 528’s intent is to ensure timely access to rabies vaccine administration for Maine companion animals. Rabies is a threat to companion animals like dogs and cats, and it can also be passed on to humans. The best way to protect your pet from rabies is to maintain timely vaccination.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that administering rabies vaccines to dogs without a microchip could be counterproductive for owners who travel with their pets from Maine into Canada. Last year, the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) introduced rules requiring microchip identification on rabies certificates for imported animals to prevent fraudulent health certificates. CDC subsequently clarified that for dogs that have not been in a canine rabies high-risk country in the six months prior to importation, the CDC Dog Import Form does not require the importer to provide its microchip number. Nevertheless, both CDC and AKC recommend that importers of these dogs travel with a digital or printed copy of their dog’s vaccination record, a photo of their dog, and a record of the dog’s microchip number as a precautionary measure.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Maine dog owners are encouraged to review LD 528 for its impact and as appropriate, register to testify via zoom or submit your testimony.
- Go to the Maine State Legislature website here and select “public hearing”.
- Scroll down to “Choose a committee” and select “Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry” from the drop-down menu.
- Select date “Mar 13, 2025, 1:00PM” and choose bill “LD 258 – An Act to Address the Rise in Rabies in Animals by Appointing Certified Rabies Vaccine Administrators”.
- Select your position. If you wish, you can add comments and/or upload written testimony in a file. You may also check the box allowing you to testify electronically over zoom. (A link will be sent to you.)
- Complete your contact information and hit the “submit/register” button.
You may also speak in person at the 1PM, March 13, 2025, public hearing. Sign in when you arrive at Room 214, Cross Building, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Bring 20 copies of any written testimony you wish to submit to committee members.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Maine, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.