Senators and delegates advance historic prohibition on the breeding of roosters alongside other animal welfare measures in the 2025 legislative session

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 10, 2025)—Today Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, released its 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard. Published annually since 2021, the Maryland scorecard grades state lawmakers on their actions during the most recent legislative session to advance animal protection.

Released by the nation’s leading animal advocacy organization, the 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard highlights bipartisan support for several pro-animal bills introduced during the state legislative session. Chief among them is a historic milestone in humane law: legislation signed by Governor Wes Moore that will restrict the keeping of roosters. This bill is a significant step toward ending the cruel practice of cockfighting and the exploitation of birds bred specifically for that purpose. Lawmakers also addressed the state’s veterinary shortage by adding veterinarians to Maryland’s public service loan forgiveness program. This bill was also signed into law by Gov. Moore.

“We applaud the Maryland General Assembly for their continued commitment to animal welfare during the 2025 legislative session. These hard-won victories were made possible by strong bipartisan support and show that compassion for animals is something people on both sides of the aisle can agree on,” said Stacey Volodin, Maryland state director for Humane World Action Fund. “The enactment of restrictions on keeping roosters marks a significant advancement in our efforts to prevent animal suffering, while new measures to strengthen enforcement penalties, improve transparency in pet rental housing practices, and expand access to veterinary care reflect a holistic approach to protecting animals across the state."

Nearly all Maryland Senators—41 in total—scored 80% or higher on the scorecard, with 35 Senators receiving a perfect score of 100%. Additionally, the majority of Maryland House of Delegates—100 members—received a perfect score. Only eight delegates scored below 50%, reflecting strong overall support for animal protection legislation among Maryland state lawmakers in 2025.

About the scorecard

The 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard includes bills that were considered by the Maryland General Assembly. Humane World Action Fund only scores bills that receive roll-call votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions. When reading the scorecard, a ✓ indicates a pro-animal action.

  • Restrictions on Keeping Roosters (SB 375/HB 513): This bill prohibits a person from keeping a rooster movement-constrained through use of certain enclosures or tethers. Sponsored by Sen. Ben Kramer (D-19) and Del. Nick Allen (D-8).
  • Crimes Relating to Animals – Conviction and Sentencing (SB 152/HB 89): This bill corrects an error in the state code to ensure that in cases where an individual is accused of cruelty to multiple animals that charges can be brought for each animal. Sponsored by Sen. Chris West (R-42) and Del. Elizabeth Embry (D-43A).
  • Pet Policy Transparency Act (SB 896/HB 1152): This bill requires rental housing providers proactively share their pet policies so that no family commits to housing only to discover they cannot keep their pet. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D-3) and Del. Michele Guyton (D-42B).
  • Wildlife Protections and Highway Crossings (SB 635/HB 731): This bill ensures that wildlife movement and habitat connectivity are factored into highway projects and local plans and create a fund to leverage federal connectivity funding. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D-3) and Del. Sheila Ruth (D-44B).
  • Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program Eligibility (SB 318/HB 643): This bill includes veterinarians in the state’s public service loan forgiveness program, expanding access to veterinary care by incentivizing more veterinarians to work in Maryland. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D-3) and Del. Michele Guyton (D-42B).

As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, Humane World Action Fund publishes state legislative and congressional scorecards to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships and other actions of lawmakers. These scorecards highlight which lawmakers are leading on animal protection, and which ones need greater pressure to act. Explore all our scorecards online at humaneaction.org/scorecard.  

Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo: ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475