Guinea Pig Legislation

State of Maine
Legislation
"Breeding & Sale of Guinea Pigs"
The Home for Unwanted and Abandoned Guinea Pigs

Patriotic Pigs
Billy, Hammy and Milo
(Currently enjoying life in Maine)

In March 2003, Deb K____ contacted The Home. She is a guinea pig owner who had become concerned about guinea pig welfare in her home state of Maine and had written a suggested law to protect them! She obtained our advice as well as that of other humane organizations. Many guinea pig rescuers (including The Home) wrote letters supporting her cause, and she took all of these letters with her to a Senate Hearing. The legislation passed in 2003! Here it is (there may have been minor changes in the final draft). Wow, what 1 person can do!

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA c. 744 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 744
BREEDING AND SALE OF GUINEA PIGS

4131. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1. Guinea pig. "Guinea pig" means a member of the genus Cavia.

2. Guinea pig breeding facility. "Guinea pig breeding facility" means a location where guinea pigs are kept for the purpose of breeding and buying, selling or in any way exchanging for value more than 12 guinea pigs in a 12-month period.

4132. Breeding license required
A person maintaining a guinea pig breeding facility must obtain a license from the department and is subject to rules adopted by the department. The license expires 12 months after the date of issuance. The fee for a guinea pig breeding facility license is $20.

4133. Records
Guinea pig breeding facilities and pet shops engaged in the buying and selling of guinea pigs shall keep a record of the buyer and seller in each sale of a guinea pig for a period of 2 years beginning on the date of sale. Upon request, these records must be available for inspection by a humane agent or law enforcement officer.

4134. Rulemaking
The commission shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

4135. Prohibition
The owner or manager of a pet shop or guinea pig breeding facility may not sell, offer for sale or give away a guinea pig under the age of 8 weeks.

4136. Violation
A person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $250 may be adjudged.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a person who breeds guinea pigs to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. It requires pet shops and guinea pig breeding facilities to keep sales records. It prohibits the sale of guinea pigs less than 8 weeks old.

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