Frequently Asked Questions
If after reading this section you still
have comments or questions, email adoptteam@planetdog.com or call
761.1515.

Who is the group behind this initiative? It is the newly formed “Maine’s Adoption Leaders Team” (MALT) consisting of people from -

Planet Dog, Portland
Animal Welfare Program, Augusta
Happy Tails, Portland
Animal Welfare Society, Kennebunk
Animal Refuge League, Portland

What is the Animal Welfare Program and why are they the chosen beneficiary? The Animal Welfare Program is a state-funded division of the Department of Agriculture. They are responsible for the health and welfare of all Maine’s animals. This is the state agency responsible for puppy mill seizures and animal neglect and abuse cases. Due to the severity of recent seizures, additional funds are sorely needed. Click to read more.

What’s the process of getting the initiative completed? Now that we have sold the required 2,000 plates, MALT has notified our bill’s sponsor, and will send the money and purchasers’ names to the Secretary of State. The bill will be written and scheduled to go before the Legislature. The Legislature then needs to schedule a date to hear our bill. When the bill is approved, the plates will go into production.

NOTE: We will be placing an “emergency preamble” on our bill to move it through the process more quickly. The preamble is based on the AWP’s fiscal shortfall as of June ’08.

I want to buy a plate. How do I do that? Now that we have sold the required 2,000 plates, they will not be available for purchase until the offical plates are actually made. The amount that can be pre-sold is legislated by the BMV as part of the process to create new specialty plates.

I bought a plate. When will it be available and how will I be notified? Purchasers will receive notification by the Secretary of State when the new plates are available, which is contingent on the following:

- when the bill goes to the legislature
- if the Legislature passes our bill

We expect these plates to be available PRIOR TO Fall ’09. If the bill does not pass by summer ’10, you will be notified and asked whether you would like to donate your $25 to the Animal Welfare Program or receive a refund.

I bought a plate. How are the funds managed? Now that we have sold 2,000 plates and raised the required $50,000, your check should have cleared or your funds should have been debited out of your account. Those funds will go directly to making the first run of the new plates. You have “pre-paid” for your plate and once they are available, you will receive a voucher to simply go to your local town hall and order your new plate.

Is my current plate transferable? You will be issued a new regular license number and if your current vanity plate is a unique vanity (i.e. not issued to a different specialty plate), it is transferable.

When the adopt plate becomes available, I want a vanity plate. What do I do? New vanity plates will be available once the adopt plate is officially for sale through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Who are the Bill’s sponsors and co-sponsors?

• Sponsor: Senator John Nutting; Democrat
• Co-Sponsors:
  • Representative John Piotti; Democrat
  • Representative Donald G. Marean; Republican
  • Representative Jeffrey Gifford; Republican
  • Representative Wendy Pieh; Democrat
  • Representative Kimberly Rosen; Republican
  • Representative William Browne; Republican
  • Senator Jonathan Courtney; Republican