Doug Alley, known to over three thousand followers as ,The Critter Guy, provided low cost nuisance wildlife control to residents of Maine, as well as free wildlife rescues pretty much any time, day or night, and in all weather conditions.

After a complaint was filed with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife over a misunderstanding, the MDIF&W disclosed that Doug Alley's animal damage control certification had expired.

MDIF&W decided not to renew Mr Alley's ADC permit in part because he transported rabies vector species... specifically orphaned raccoons...to willing state licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Specifically MDIF&W contends that Mr Alley violated the department's policy of ensuring that rabies vector species be relocated within 10 miles of where they are caught.

In an appeal hearing, Mr Alley clarified that as a volunteer transporter for a licensed rehabilitation center he did not need to be concerned over the distance he picked up and dropped off rabies vector species, because it was the responsibility of the rehab to work with their local biologist to determine an acceptable distance to receive wildlife from. 

It was also clarified that Mr Alley can still transport contained wildlife to rehab facilities without being an animal damage control agent.

In the hearing Mr Alley also clarified that volunteer transport is separate from nuisance wildlife relocation.

The state has never accused Mr Alley of exceeding the 10 mile relocation policy when releasing nuisance wildlife, but that is a key reason listed for MDIF&W ruling against his appeal.

Mr Alley is a big asset to the general public and Maine's wildlife.

Since being banned in July of 2022 dozens of animals have suffered needlessly waiting for help that was often several hours away, or would never arrive.

Incidental animals caught in live  traps by home owners spent hours waiting to be released in all types of weather including days where the temperatures exceeded 90F.

Citizens on fixed or low incomes have struggled to find assistance they can afford, other citizens spend days waiting for other agents, or game wardens to call them back when they need assistance with wildlife.

Rehabilitators are reporting that frustrated citizens are dispatching wild animals in frustration, when they are unable to find an animal damage control agent to assist them.

We the undersigned believe that barring Mr Alley from Maine's Animal Damage Control program does far more harm than good. 

While no one agent can respond to every single incident, needlessly preventing a qualified and willing person from being available is illogical.

There is no evidence to support that Mr Alley's current level of experience is detrimental or dangerous.

Mr Alley's ethical principles are sound, and he truly seems to have the best interest of wildlife in mind while still honoring the rights and needs of the citizens he works with.

We ask that Mr Alley be offered an opportunity to meet with Governor Janet Mills, so that she may get to know him, his philosophies on backyard wildlife management, and hopefully decide that he be reinstated as a licensed animal damage control agent for the State of Maine as quickly as possible.