Animal Protection

Pets and animals are an important part of our lives and our families. We must work to ensure they are taken care of and protected, and that those who hurt them are held accountable. I am proud of the work the Maryland General Assembly did this year to continue to protect our furry friends.

SB 896/HB 1152 (Senator Love/Delegate Stein)(2025), the Pet Policy Transparency Act allows potential renters to know what a building's pet policy is prior to spending money

SB 547/HB 379 (Senator Elfreth/Delegate Love) (2024) prohibits the use of big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants in traveling shows that perform in Maryland

SB 310/HB 378 (Senator West/Delegate Love) (2023) authorizes grants for projects that mitigate damage caused by black bears and reduce conflicts between black bears and humans

HB 102 (2023) establishes procedures to protect specified pets (domesticated cats and dogs) when property is repossessed in failure to pay rent, breach of lease, tenant holding over, and wrongful detainer actions

HB 22/SB 67 (2022) bans the practice known as 'declawing', which is really cutting off the last digit of a cat's paws.

HB 52/SB 381 (Delegate Love/Senator Smith) (2022) prohibits the sale of parts of or products made from 11 species of imperiled animals, including elephants, tigers, giraffes, and great apes.

HB 16/SB 44 (2022) prohibits leaving animals unattended outside in extreme temperatures. 

HB 293/SB 200 (2021) bans wildlife killing contests

HB 611/SB 282)(2021) bans the testing of cosmetics on animals