Animal abandonment comes up more than most people expect, and it takes a few different forms.
- Sometimes an owner moves out and leaves animals behind.
- Sometimes animals are found tied to a fence or left in a vacant property.
- Sometimes someone surrenders an animal to a shelter, which is legal.
- Sometimes someone just drops an animal in a field, which is not.
This post explains what Maine law says and what qualifies as abandonment. It also covers what to do if you find or suspect abandoned animals.
To report abandoned animals in Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, West Paris, Stoneham, or the Oxford County Unorganized Territories, call Oxford County Dispatch at 207-743-9554, Option 0.
What Maine Law Says About Abandonment
Under Maine Title 7, Section 4011, abandoning an animal you own or are responsible for is a civil violation. Abandonment means deserting the animal without making reasonable provision for its care. Leaving an animal without food, water, shelter, or a plan for its care is abandonment under the law.
Maine also defines an abandoned animal in Title 7, Section 3907 as an animal that has been deserted by its owner or keeper. However, animals that are part of a recognized population control effort, such as a managed TNR colony, are not considered abandoned under that definition.
What Is Not Abandonment
Surrendering an animal to a licensed animal shelter is not abandonment. Maine law provides a formal process for owner surrender. Shelters are equipped to handle it. Therefore, if you are in a situation where you cannot keep your animal, surrendering it properly to a shelter is the right move. You should contact a shelter partner in western Maine rather than leaving the animal on its own.
A TNR community cat that has been spayed or neutered and returned to a managed colony location is also not considered abandoned. This is true even if it lives outdoors without a formal owner.
What Happens to Abandoned Animals
When I receive a report of abandoned animals, I respond to assess the situation. If the animals are in immediate danger, I take steps to address that first. This includes contacting a shelter partner to accept the animals.
Once an animal is brought to a shelter as abandoned, it goes through the standard holding and disposition process under Maine law. For dogs, that is a 6-day hold. For cats without identification, the minimum hold is 48 hours. After the hold period, ownership transfers to the shelter. The shelter can then place the animal for adoption or make other disposition decisions.
If the owner can be identified, I document the violation. Abandonment is a civil violation with fines. Moreover, repeat or aggravated situations may be referred to the Maine Animal Welfare Program for humane agent involvement.
Special Situation: Owner Is Incapacitated
Sometimes what looks like abandonment is actually a situation where an owner has been hospitalized, incarcerated, or otherwise incapacitated and could not make arrangements for their animals. Fortunately, Maine law addresses this separately under 7 § 3919-B. If animals are brought to a shelter because their owner is institutionalized, the owner has 10 days from the date of acceptance to arrange for the animal’s release. After that, ownership transfers.
If you know an animal is in this situation, getting word to the shelter quickly matters. See the full post on what happens when a pet owner is hospitalized or incarcerated for more detail.
What to Do If You Find Abandoned Animals
- Call dispatch right away if the animals are in distress or in immediate danger. Do not wait.
- Do not take the animals into your home without reporting first if you can avoid it. Once animals are in your possession, the legal picture gets more complicated. Report first, then follow my guidance on next steps.
- If you do take animals in temporarily to keep them safe, document when and where you found them. Call dispatch as soon as possible to report what you have.
- Do not post online that you have the animals before reporting. This can complicate the case if the original owner later claims them.
If You Cannot Keep Your Animal
If you are in a difficult situation and cannot care for your animal, please reach out before it becomes an emergency. There are resources available in western Maine for people who need help with food, veterinary care, or rehoming. See the Pet Resources for Western Maine Residents page for contacts. Surrendering an animal properly is always better than abandonment for you legally and for the animal.
For more on Maine animal laws, see the Animal Control FAQ or the full Maine Laws section.
