Speak for Them: Animal Shelter Public and Rescue Notice Act Petition
Sign below to support the Animal Shelter Public and Rescue Notice Act in Prince George’s County.
Animal Shelter Public and Rescue Notice Act
Digital petition | Organized by Speak for Them
To the Prince George’s County Council and County Executive
I urge the Prince George’s County Council to introduce and pass, and the County Executive to support and sign, the Animal Shelter Public and Rescue Notice Act. Before a companion animal in County shelter custody is euthanized for a nonemergency reason, the public and rescue organizations should receive a meaningful opportunity to help.
I ask the County to require the following protections:
- At least 72 hours of notice. Post an individual, freely accessible public notice and directly notify registered rescue organizations whose capabilities match the animal. Start the clock after both steps are complete.
- Clear information and access. Provide the animal’s photo or identifying description, ID number, medical and behavioral information, reason for proposed euthanasia, exact deadline, and placement instructions. Include meaningful processing and pickup opportunities.
- A real chance for placement. Pause nonemergency euthanasia for timely placement commitments, use objective eligibility criteria, provide written reasons and expedited review for denials, and allow reasonable pickup time.
- Narrow and documented exceptions. Preserve urgent action for grave suffering, an unmanageable imminent safety threat, or a controlling legal or public-health requirement. Limit owner-requested exceptions to informed, documented medical or imminent safety grounds. Overcrowding alone must not qualify as an emergency.
- Accountability. Require records, public outcome reporting, review of emergency exceptions, a complaint process, and protection from retaliation for good-faith reporting.
The proposed Act preserves owner rights, required holding periods, lawful safety screening, and necessary veterinary care. It applies to County-operated shelters and animals held under County animal-control contracts or at the County’s direction.
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I support this petition. I intend my typed name to serve as my electronic signature and authorize Speak for Them to submit my name, signature, location, and date to County officials. Submitted information may become a public record. Please sign only once.
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