Shelter Animal Sanctuary Study Legislative Details

Subject One: Population and Save Rates (Cats and Dogs only)

  

- Annual number taken in by existing animal shelters

- Annual number adopted by individuals

- Annual number adopted by rescue organizations

- Annual number euthanized by existing animal shelters

- Annual number euthanized by animal rescues

- Categorize populations by statewide and regional

Outcome: Understand the peak demand on an animal sanctuary. 

  

Subject Two: Capital and Operating Cost Analysis

- Total and differential cost between centralized sanctuary and regional sanctuaries

- Total and differential land requirement between centralized sanctuary and regional sanctuaries

- Total and differential structural requirement between centralized sanctuary and regional sanctuaries

- Total differential capital costs between centralized sanctuary and regional sanctuaries

- Total and differential capital costs between centralized sanctuary and regional sanctuaries

- Identify funding mechanisms for the operational costs of the program

Outcome: Understand capital, operating costs and funding mechanisms. 

Subject Three: Operating Model and Funding

  

- Evaluate operational strengths and weaknesses of a State-run sanctuary

- Evaluate operational strengths and weaknesses of a third party-run sanctuary

- Identify other states, jurisdictions, and countries that have established similar models

Outcome: Understand the differences in a sanctuary operated by a State department or a third party contracted by the state. 

Subject Four: Study Group Membership

  

- Two representatives from the House and Delegates

- Two representatives from the Senate

- One representative from the Comptroller

- One representative from the Department of Agriculture

- Three representatives from the animal welfare nonprofit community

- One representative from the Maryland Association of Counties

- Two representatives from county-run animal shelters

Outcome: Establish study group membership with stakeholders from the various entities that will interact with a sanctuary or provide oversight. 

  

Subject Five: Provide recommendations to the Governor and Maryland General Assembly addressing the above study topics and the overall feasibility of establishing a shelter animal sanctuary.