MAINE

We strive to advance protections for wildlife and all animals in Maine

Black mother bear and cubs in tree-shutterstock
What We Do​

We strive to advance protections for wildlife and all other animals in Maine. We also work to engage the public in resolving significant animal and wildlife welfare issues in the state, increasing awareness and promoting engagement with state officials and stakeholders. To that end, we:

    • Connect animal-welfare advocacy organizations and individuals across the state to engage collectively in the Maine legislature in crafting and supporting landmark legislative initiatives for the protection of Maine’s wildlife.

    • Engage with state agencies and stakeholders to foster a more collaborative legislative agenda.

    • Engage and inform our supporters on our local and federal legislative agendas.

    • Collaborate with advocacy groups on the planning and advancing of legislative priorities for animals in Maine.

    • Engage with legislative committees to testify in opposition to legislation that is archaic, harmful to wildlife, or threatens existing animal welfare laws.

    • Inspire and educate the public on the corporate impacts of animal welfare.

Our State Director

Gina Garey

Gina Garey has been invested in the animal welfare movement since her work with Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting over a decade ago. She holds an MS in Animal Behavior and joined Animal Wellness Action after serving on the Maine State Council for the Humane Society of the United States, bringing deep experience with legislative efforts to improve protections for all animals in Maine.

She helped advocates gain experience in the legislative process through Humane Lobby Day training and spearheaded two crucial citywide ordinances in Portland, Maine’s largest city, banning the sale of puppy mill dogs and cats in 2016, paving the way for a statewide effort to end the sale of dogs and cats from mill operations across Maine, and banning the performance of exotic animals in traveling shows and circuses in 2017.

Want to learn more or get involved with Animal Wellness Action in Maine? Email gina@animalwellnessaction.org

Legislative Update:
Maine's 132nd legislature

While our top priorities remain centered on strengthening wildlife protections and promoting conservation in Maine, the first regular session of the 132nd Maine Legislature ended last week with limited progress. Despite strong advocacy efforts and favorable new committee assignments, only one of the proposed wildlife-related bills — LD 1364, Directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to Evaluate Efforts to Promote the Use of Non-lead Ammunition — advanced to a full vote in both chambers. 

Our Legislation

  • LD 1364: Directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to Evaluate Efforts to Promote the Use of Non-lead Ammunition. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin (73–70) but faced stiff resistance in the Senate, triggering a second round of voting. Although the House reaffirmed its support, the bill ultimately died due to non-concurrence with the Senate. We plan to reintroduce this legislation during the upcoming short session.

Bills We Supported

  • LD 1293: An Act to Prohibit Coyote-Killing Contests in Maine. Received a “Ought Not to Pass” majority report from the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
  • LD 718: An Act to Restrict the Hunting of Coyotes. Also received a “Ought Not to Pass” majority report from the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Bills We Opposed

  • LD 820: Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish the Right to Hunt and Fish. Tabled and carried over to the next session.
  • LD 1343: An Act to Protect the Right to Harvest Wildlife. Voted down in committee.
  • LD 937: An Act to Establish a Permit to Hunt Coyote Over Bait. Voted down in committee.

Ways to Take Action Now

  • Consider meeting with your state legislator(s) and let them know that animal issues are a high priority for you as their constituent. If you’re unfamiliar with who your legislators are, you can find them here by name or by the town they represent. Gina Garey would be happy to join you at the meeting or help answer any questions you may have.
  • Bring these issues to the attention of your neighbors by posting educational information on Nextdoor.com, raising the issue of animal protection at your next Town Council meeting, or talking to your friends about lead contamination in wildlife, or the hounding and trapping of coyote at the local Farmer’s Market. Many Mainers are not aware of what happens to animals in our state, and you have the power to create meaningful change in your community!
  • Write a letter to the editor about wildlife issues you are passionate about changing for the better!
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