Delaware
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Delaware
Overall Rank: #17 (Middle Tier)
Animal Protection Laws of Delaware
The Animal Protection Laws of Delaware compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Delaware with an effective date on or before September 1, 2023.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
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Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
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Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
Prohibiting Landlords from Requiring Cat Declawing (Delaware)
H.B. 386
As the law stands now in Delaware, landlords may require a tenant to declaw a cat as a condition for entering into or renewing a rental agreement. If House Bill 386 is enacted, it would prohibit landlords from imposing this requirement.
The Izzy the Cat Act (Delaware)
S.B. 258/S.S. 1
When a companion animal is harmed by another person's actions, Delaware law currently limits monetary damages to the animal’s “fair market value.” A new bill would instead allow the animal’s guardian to recoup the cost of veterinary care.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws