DEA to resume issuing permits to Maryland animal shelters

Annapolis, Md.

-- Animal shelters throughout Maryland again have access to drugs needed to perform their work safely and humanely, because of recent legislation and action by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The state's agriculture department announced it received verbal notification that the DEA is now issuing controlled-substance permits to shelters licensed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

"This resolves a very difficult situation, and authorizes animal shelters to administer controlled substances to sedate or euthanize animals in a safe and humane manner, says Maryland Agriculture Secretary Richard Richardson.

The action follows state legislation passed late last year and signed into law, resolving a conflict between federal drug-classification changes and state law, which for a time prevented the shelters from having access to drugs needed in their work.

The DEA now will issue licensed shelters permits for Schedule II-V controlled dangerous substances after the state's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspects them and issues each a registration certificate.