F1 – F3 Savannah Cats are illegal in Maine.
Rabies vaccinations required for all cats over the age of 3 months.
Wolf hybrids must be licensed, rabies vaccinated, and permanent ID (microchip or tattoo). Special cage requirements for breeding wolf hybrids. No restrictions listed for filial generations.
Title 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
Part 9: ANIMAL WELFARE HEADING
Chapter 720: RABIES PREVENTION AND SHELTER PROVISIONS
1.��Required for cats.�� Except as provided in subsection 4, an owner or keeper of a cat over 3 months of age must have that cat vaccinated against rabies. Rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Upon receiving an initial vaccination, a cat is considered protected for one year and an owner or keeper of that cat must get a booster vaccination for that cat one year after the initial vaccination and subsequent booster vaccinations at intervals that do not exceed the intervals recommended by a national association of state public health veterinarians for the type of vaccine administered.
[ 1997, c. 704, 3 (AMD) .]
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7sec3916.html
7 3921-A. Permanent identification of wolf hybrids
The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish methods of identifying wolf hybrids through tattooing, the placement of a microchip under the animal’s skin or any other method determined by the commissioner as adequately providing a permanent means of identification on the body of the animal. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A. A person may not own or keep a wolf hybrid unless the animal has identification in compliance with the rules adopted under this section.
[2001, c. 129, 2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
2001, c. 129, 2 (NEW).
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7ch721.pdf
Title 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Chapter 251: COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Subchapter 5: RABIES OR HYDROPHOBIA
1313. Procedures for the transportation, quarantine, euthanasia and testing of animals suspected of having rabies
1.Establishment of procedures. The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, shall adopt rules, in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, establishing procedures for responding to a report of an animal suspected of having rabies. The procedures must include provisions for the transportation, quarantine, euthanasia and testing of an animal suspected of having rabies and, when that animal has bitten a person, provisions for the notification of the animal control officer in the locality where the bite occurred. The procedures may differ based on the perceived public health threat determined in part by consideration of the following factors:
A. Whether the animal is a domesticated animal for which a known effective vaccine exists and, if so, whether the animal’s vaccination status can be verified; [2007, c. 133, 1 (AMD).]
B. Whether the animal has bitten a person or exhibited other aggressive behavior; and [2007, c. 133, 1 (AMD).]
C. Whether the animal is a wolf hybrid that has bitten or may have otherwise exposed a person or a domesticated animal to rabies. [2007, c. 133, 1 (NEW).]
[ 2007, c. 133, 1 (AMD) .]
2.Role of animal control officer; game warden. An animal control officer appointed in accordance with Title 7, section 3947 receiving a report of an animal suspected of having rabies shall ensure that the procedures established pursuant to this section and sections 1313-A and 1313-B are carried out. If the animal is an undomesticated animal, other than a wolf hybrid, a game warden shall assist the animal control officer.
[ 2007, c. 133, 1 (AMD) .]
3. Costs associated with transportation, quarantine, testing and euthanasia. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall provide for or pay all necessary costs for transportation and euthanasia of an undomesticated animal suspected of having rabies. The owner of a domesticated animal or a wolf hybrid suspected of having rabies shall pay all costs for transportation, quarantine, euthanasia and testing of the animal. If a domesticated animal or a wolf hybrid is a stray or the owner is unknown, the municipality in which the animal was apprehended is responsible for transportation, quarantine, euthanasia and testing costs. Cost of testing animals judged by the department to have created a public health risk of rabies must be borne by the department through its General Fund appropriations.
[ 2007, c. 133, 1 (AMD) .]
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/22/title22sec1313.html
Title 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
Part 9: ANIMAL WELFARE HEADING: PL 1987, c. 383, 3 (new)
Chapter 723: FACILITY LICENSES HEADING: PL 1987, c. 383, 3 (new); 1993, c. 657, 28 (rpr)
An Act To Regulate the Keeping of Wolf Hybrids
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the keeping of wolf hybrids poses concerns for public safety; and
Whereas, current regulation of wolf hybrid kennels does not provide adequate safeguards; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 129, §4, is repealed.
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:
2-A. Kennel license required. A person may not operate a wolf hybrid kennel without a license from the department. To apply for a license, a person must submit a completed form provided by the department. The completed form must include the name of the person operating the kennel, the mailing address of the kennel, the road or street address of the kennel, a description of the facilities for sheltering and confining the wolf hybrids and the number of wolf hybrids kept at the time of application. The applicant must submit with the license application proof that each wolf hybrid has been permanently identified in accordance with section 3921-A.
Sec. 3. 7 MRSA 3931-B, sub-2-B is enacted to read:
2-B. Review of kennel license application; denial. Upon receiving an application under subsection 2-A, the department shall forward a copy of the application to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for review to assess the potential threat to public safety or a wildlife population. The department shall consult with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife prior to issuing a license. The department may deny a license based on a potential threat to wildlife or public safety.
Sec. 4. Transition. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall issue a conditional license to a wolf hybrid kennel registered under the former Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3931-B, subsection 2 that applies for a wolf hybrid kennel license under Title 7, section 3931-B, subsection 2-A. The conditional license remains in effect until the application materials have been reviewed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to Title 7, section 3931-B, subsection 2-B. If public safety concerns arise during the review, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources may revoke the conditional license pending an administrative proceeding held in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 5.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill changes the registration requirement for a wolf hybrid kennel to a licensing requirement. It directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to consult with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on potential threats to wildlife and public safety prior to issuing a license. It provides for the conditional licensure of kennels that were previously registered.
Disclaimer: Please check all local, city, county, township, homeowners’ ordinances in your area first before acquiring any hybrid or exotic animals.
Updated 11/5/17