Many agencies are holding listening sessions across the state. These sessions are a chance for you to voice your regulatory suggestions and observations. The Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is holding 3 hearings starting next week.

MAC thinks this is a great opportunity for animal welfare workers in MA to comment on proposed regulations, discuss topics of concern and have positive discussions with MDAR. As you probably know, the pet shop regulations, the proposed regulations for shelter/rescues, as well as policies impacting them, all fall under MDAR.

If you can't attend one of the listening sessions, you can submit your comments online here. (You may wish to provide written comments even if you do speak at a session).

MDAR Listening Session dates and locations:

Date:  Monday, October 5th
Time:  4pm - 6pm
Location:  DFW, Richard Cronin Building; 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

Date:  Tuesday, October 6th
Time:  4pm - 6pm
Location:  100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02018
2nd Floor - Conference Rooms A, B & C

Date:  Thursday, October 8th
Time:  4pm - 6pm
Location:  Smith Vocational Agricultural School, 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060

Helpful links:

• To see the official notice for MDAR sessions, visit this page
• The Department of Conservation and Recreation is also having listening sessions, which some of you may be interested in (their regulations impact dog access and other issues in state parks, for example). The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is holding a listening session on October 20.
• Submit comments on any regulation here
• MAC website with most animal-related regulations listed
• A list of regulations in the state by subject