Animal-Related Legislative Issues and Public Policy

Massachusetts Legislation

New for 2013: Alert about Senate Bill 969 -- reversing prohibition on breed-specific legislation.  Please oppose.

New for 2013:  Preliminary list of animal-related bills filed.

Animal Control:  Passed into law and will become effective on October 31, 2012.  See ACOAM's website for more information, including a memo detailing the changes and a link to the final bill at: www.acoam.com.  More information can also be found on our site here.

Massachusetts Legislative Resources

MSPCA - Legislative Affairs: The Legislative Affairs office of the MSPCA provides information about the latest legislative issues concerning animals. This link also includes information on how you can get involved in protecting animals by joining their Animal Action Team.

HSUS State Legislation List for Massachusetts: Update on state legislative activities being monitored by the Government Affairs Department of The HSUS. Provides links to electronic alerts to keep you up-to-date on hot issues in animal protection, State Action Alerts, and Federal Legislation.

ASPCA Advocacy Center:  sign up to receive alerts on MA issues.

Links to help you find your elected officials:
http://www.congress.org/ 
http://www.vote-smart.org/

If you would like to join MAC's Advocacy Council, please email info@massanimalcoalition.org.  Read an example of a past legislative update sent to MAC members and guests.

Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

Massachusetts Laws:
 -- For some summaries, see the Mass. Trial Court Law Libraries website
 -- General Mass. cruelty statute
 -- Mass. state website

Select Massachusetts Animal-Related Regulations:
  Pet shop regulations
  Cat and dog regulations in laboratories 
  Carriage Horse Regulations
  Emergency Order for Shelters