AUGUSTA – It’s going to cost $1 more to register unspayed or unneutered dogs next year, and animal shelters will be allowed to hold cats one day longer.

These are some of the changes solidified by the Legislature this week to the state’s animal welfare laws.

In addition, Gov. John Baldacci signed two bills Friday sponsored by Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn. Together they work to both reduce domestic violence and animal abuse. One allows reporters of human abuse to disclose any animal abuse they see, and animal control officers will have the option to report human abuse.

“All too often, an investigation of animal abuse will uncover human abuse and vice versa,” Simpson said in a news release. “These bills will empower professionals, who have until now been constrained by confidentiality rules, to report abuse.”

Another bill makes a list of changes as suggested by the state’s Animal Welfare Program. It was given final approval by the full Legislature Thursday.

If the bill is signed, owners will have to pay an extra dollar to license their unaltered dogs – fees for fixed pets will unchanged.

Animal Welfare Program Director Norma Worley said her department asked for a $1 increase across the board, but the legislative committee made the change. She estimated that now about $25,000 more will be brought in to fight animal abuse.

Also, shelters must make formal arrangements for the spaying or neutering of a dog or cat within 30 days of adoption. This could involve doing the operation before sending the dog home, or taking a deposit, Worley said.

The bill mandates that animal control officers must undergo advanced training. Also, no one convicted of a felony may hold that position.

Currently, ACOs only have to go through training once, although the laws change constantly, Worley said.

During the public hearing for the bill, representatives from small towns worried filling the training requirement would be problematic. But with current concerns over rabies and dangerous dogs the training is necessary, Worley said.

Maine law says that shelters must hold stray cats for one day. The proposed law extends this to 48 hours. Dogs are held for six days.

So many people let their cats roam, Worley said, and “may not start looking until two or three days have gone by.”

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