The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee voted Thursday to advance a bill establishing a Prince George’s County Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to provide ongoing advice and oversight on shelter operations, animal welfare programs and community‑based solutions.

Council Member Watson sponsored the measure and said the advisory committee would be separate from the existing Animal Control Commission and intended to elevate shelter operations, volunteer coordination, fundraising, fostering and welfare‑focused policy work.

The committee adopted amendments to the original draft to broaden representation and to clarify membership. The amended bill will expand the panel to 10 members by adding a community advocate, require staggered three‑year terms, a minimum of six meetings per year and an annual report to the council. The committee also added a seat to represent the fostering community and replaced the term “feral cats” with “community cats” in the bill text after public comment.

Department of the Environment officials said they support an advisory body that brings community expertise to shelter operations but asked for changes in the scope and interplay with the Animal Control Commission. David Fisher, associate director of Bridal (sic) Services Division at DOE, provided operational data and said the shelter’s euthanasia rate had fallen in recent years while intake has risen; he told the committee, “In 2023, we euthanized 1,702 adoptable dogs and cats at the shelter. This year, that number is estimated to be 577.”

Several local animal advocates and volunteers testified in favor of the committee, urging seats for foster caregivers, bilingual and culturally representative membership, and a clear role for community‑based trapping, neuter and return programs for community cats.

The committee voted 5–0 to send the bill, as amended, to the full council.