First Comprehensive Statewide Trap-Neuter-Return Law to Protect Cats, Drafted by Alley Cat Allies, Introduced in Maryland
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The first comprehensive statewide law in the United States to protect Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and community cats has been officially introduced in Maryland. Drafted with expertise and guidance from Alley Cat Allies, the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens, the bill—Ash's Law—sets a nationwide standard for the humane treatment of cats and kittens.
Maryland Del. Michele Guyton introduced the legislation in the House of Delegates on February 5. Sen. Karen Lewis Young introduced its companion bill in the Senate today.
Ash's Law, House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 750, establishes TNR as official Maryland policy for community cats, or unowned cats who live outdoors. Through TNR programs, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, eartipped (the universal sign that a cat has been helped through a TNR program), vaccinated, and then returned to their original outdoor homes.
Taking a critical step further, Ash's Law would prevent any jurisdiction in Maryland from prohibiting or restricting the practice of TNR. The bill would also amend state criminal law so individuals carrying out TNR are not wrongfully penalized for abandoning cats when they are, in fact, returning them home.
"Alley Cat Allies is proud to help make history with Ash's Law," said Coryn Julien, program communications officer at Alley Cat Allies. "After decades of championing TNR and more lifesaving programs for cats in Maryland, we are committed to leading the state to the forefront of the nation's humane movement. We deeply thank Del. Guyton, Sen. Lewis Young, and all sponsors of Ash's Law for their leadership."
"As someone who cares about the welfare of animals and their health, I am proud to sponsor this legislation," said Del. Guyton.
Ash's Law is named in honor of Ash, a beloved community cat from Riverdale, Maryland, who was removed from her outdoor home in 2016 and impounded in an animal shelter. She spent her final confined day in a cage with her six young kittens. All were killed less than 24 hours later.
Ash's story exposes the consequences of lethal policies that treat cats' lives as disposable—policies that Ash's Law seeks to end through establishing an official statewide TNR program.
By passing Ash's Law, Maryland will affirm its commitment to humane, evidence-based, effective action to benefit cats and communities across the state, and set a lifesaving precedent for the nation.
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest.
Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1.7 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them.
Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we equip and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches.
Our website is www.alleycat.org, and we are active on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, Tiktok, and YouTube. Charlene Pedrolie is the president and chief operating officer of Alley Cat Allies.
SOURCE Alley Cat Allies
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