Maryland Votes for Animals

Come Celebrate with us on June 1st!

For three intense months Maryland Votes For Animals (MVFA) worked tirelessly with legislators to make sure Maryland passed two life-saving animal protection bills:

1. Statewide Spay/Neuter Fund to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals – PASSED!
2. Molly’s Law to protect “bait dogs” and help stop dog-fighting – PASSED!

Join us to Celebrate! Meet the humane legislators who helped achieve these victories, and participate in our Humane Champion Award ceremony:

The Voluntary Low-cost Statewide Spay/Neuter Program has passed the Maryland General Assembly! If you made a phone call, sent an email or came to Humane Lobby Day then know that you played an important part in passage of this landmark legislation! You joined together with other animal advocates to make this happen. Thank you, each and every one!

Now it's time to CELEBRATE!  Maryland Votes For Animals (MVFA) worked with your legislators over the past 3 years to make sure Maryland passed a spay/neuter bill that will save the lives of thousands of homeless cats and dogs.  Our legislative champions work very hard on behalf of animals and we are delighted to invite you to a CELEBRATION to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who made it happen.  Click HERE to CELEBRATE!

Maryland Votes For Animals Announces Unprecedented Success for Animal Protection Legislation in 2013 Session of Maryland General Assembly

Annapolis, MD - Maryland Votes for Animals (MVFA) applauds the Maryland General Assembly for passing two critical pieces of humane legislation: 1) establishment of a State Spay/Neuter Program and 2) closure of a loophole in dog-fighting law with a "bait" dog bill .

Both the Maryland Senate and House have passed the "Bait Dog" bill (S.B. 360/H.B. 542) known as "Molly's Law," introduced by Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R, Pasadena) and Del. Tony McConkey (R, Severna Park ). "Molly's Law" is named after a nine-month-old puppy, Molly, a pit bull mix who was used as a "bait dog," was found badly injured in an abandoned house in Baltimore and eventually died from her wounds.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 22, 2013)—Maryland Votes for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States applauded the Maryland Senate and House for passing the spay/neuter bill, introduced by Sen. Joanne Benson, D-Prince George's County, and Del. Barbara Frush, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, to establish a statewide fund to support spay/neuter services through targeted community grants.

Carolyn Kilborn, chair of Maryland Votes for Animals, praised the Maryland General Assembly, and said, "This vote signifies a win for Maryland's animals and a win for Marylanders across the state. We are grateful to Speaker Busch, Delegate Frush and Senator Benson for their leadership in passing this landmark legislation. The majority of Senators and Delegates recognize the urgent need to address the tragic and unnecessary loss of life in Maryland shelters, and their votes will save thousands of lives."

Over the years I have shared my home with 11 dogs. They have included a Dalmatian mix, Dachshund, two Bassetts, a Lhasa apso, and four cairn terriers, all from shelters or rescue groups.  I have never had any kind of pit bull type dog but I enthusiastically support Senate Bill 160/House Bill 78 and hope everyone who cares about dogs will support this important legislation.  This legislation will fix the Tracey v. Solesky ruling by the Court of Appeals which has had a negative impact on all dog owners in Maryland.