Section 001-702-1 - DEFINITIONSAs used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. CAT - A member of the genus and species known as Felis catus.2. COMMISSIONER - The Commissioner of the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.3. DEPARTMENT - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.4. DOG - A member of the genus and species known as Canis familiaris.5. FERAL CAT - A cat without owner identification of any kind that consistently exhibits extreme fear in the presence of people.6. KEEPER - A person in possession or control of an animal becomes the keeper of a stray domesticated animal, other than a dog or livestock, if the person feeds that animal for at least 10 consecutive days.7. LICENSED ANIMAL SHELTER - A facility licensed by the state that houses domesticated animals and operates for the purpose of providing stray, abandoned, abused, or owner-surrendered animals with sanctuary (which includes finding the animals temporary or permanent adoptive homes) or a rescue group licensed by the state.8. OVERPOPULATION - A surplus of cats or dogs when compared to the demand for ownership by humans. For purposes of the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund, all feral cat populations are considered an overpopulation.9. OWNER - Any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation that owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or other animal.10. PROGRAM - The Companion Animal Sterilization Program established under Title 7, Section3910-C, subsection 2.11. SPAY/NEUTER - To sterilize a female animal by removing the ovaries or to castrate a male animal by removing the testicles or by FDA-approved pharmaceutical sterilization.A. "Spay" means to sterilize a female animal by removing the animal's ovaries or to sterilize a female by a nonsurgical method approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.B. "Neuter" means to castrate a male animal by removing the animal's testicles or to sterilize a male animal by a nonsurgical method approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.12. SPAY/NEUTER EVENT- A scheduled event by a veterinary provider, whether in a mobile clinic, pop-up clinic, or fixed location, where ten or more spay/neuter procedures will be provided per day to eligible Help Fix ME participants.13. STRAY ANIMAL - A cat or dog with no known owner that may be lost, deserted, sick, or injured.14. VETERINARY PROVIDER- A person licensed to practice veterinary medicine under Title 32, section4861, or an animal welfare organization that has at least one licensed veterinarian on staff or under contract and regularly provides companion animal sterilization services to the public.15. UNWANTED - A cat or dog abandoned or not wanted by its owner or keeper.01-001 C.M.R. ch. 702, § 1