The issue of dog and cat importation in Maine is a complex one that deserves careful consideration. While some shelters and rescue groups import in a responsible and safe manner, others do not, and we need to balance the safety and care of Maine’s pet population with the desire to help prevent needless euthanasia of animals in other states.

For readers unfamiliar with the topic, the Maine Department of Agriculture proposed regulations for shelters, rescue groups and individuals who transport animals from other states to Maine for the purpose of sale or adoption. Pet stores currently abide by these regulations when they import animals for sale. Many rescues and shelters import dogs and puppies from southern states to Maine due to the high demand in Maine for puppies and the high euthanasia rates at shelters in the south due to overpopulation and lack of space at animal shelters.

This seems like a simple solution to the problem, yet there are other factors to consider. Chief among these is the importation of ill animals, who bring disease into Maine, to which our native dogs do not have any resistance. Diseases such as distemper, canine influenza, heartworm and Lyme disease are common in southern dogs. Recently, new dog owners are finding they need to take their new pup immediately to a veterinarian for care – incurring costs that can run into thousands of dollars.

While these are not prohibitive factors, and I do believe that importation is essentially a positive thing, we do need to look carefully at what we are doing in the state and find best practices that we all can live with.

The proposed rules would require a permit to import the animals, proof of vaccinations and a health certificate, and a quarantine period once they arrive in Maine, to make sure they are not carrying communicable disease.

These are reasonable and should not cause a hardship to shelters and rescue groups already doing a good job of importation. While the quarantine may be a sticky subject, as long as the state allows the use of private homes as well as facilities, this should not prove to be too troublesome.

In addition to this, the issue of registration and licensing of rescue groups is another interesting point to bring up and one that will also have many opposing viewpoints. Shelters in the state are required to be licensed and inspected. Why shouldn’t rescue groups be held to the same standards as shelters? They are filling essentially the same role, aren’t they? Some rescue groups support licensing, and they should be commended for this.

Overall, this complex issue is one that is open for public comment through the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Web site and will have a public hearing later this month. If you have an opinion on this issue, then let your voice be heard. For more information on animal importation, visit animalsheltering.org.

Katie Lisnik is the Maine state director for The Humane Society of the United States. She can be reached at klisnik@humanesociety.org.