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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 27 FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 491
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Anne M. Gobi
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to creating an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts Department of
Agriculture.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Anne M. GobiWorcester and HampshireKimberly N. Ferguson1st Worcester2/7/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 27 FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 491
By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 491) of Anne M. Gobi and Kimberly
N. Ferguson for legislation relative to creating an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts
Department of Agriculture. Environment and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 551 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to creating an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts Department of
Agriculture.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 There shall be established an Animal Advisory Board constituted for the general purpose
2of advising the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR).
3 The members of the advisory board shall include the shelter and rescue coordinator at
4MDAR or their designee, who shall serve as chair. The Governor shall appoint 8 additional
5persons, 1 of whom shall be a member of a small foster-based rescue; 1 of whom shall be a
6member of a larger animal welfare organization; 1 of whom shall be a member of a national
7animal welfare organization that provides interstate transport; 1of whom shall be a veterinarian
8who is certified by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians; 1 if whom shall be a veterinarian
9experienced with companion animal work; 1 of whom shall be a veterinarian with livestock 2 of 2
10and/or farm experience; 1 of whom shall be a lawyer with animal welfare experience, and 1 of
11whom shall be an Animal Control Officer operating in the Commonwealth with at least five
12years of experience.
13 The advisory board shall meet quarterly and at the call of the commissioner or upon the
14written request of any two members. The board is charged with advising the commissioner on
15issues relating, but not limited to, shelters, animal control officers, animal inspectors, training
16and best practices. The Animal advisory board, in conjunction with the department, shall make
17an annual report to the joint committee on the environment, natural resources and agriculture as
18to their activities under this section.
19 All members of the advisory board will serve without compensation.