2024 U.S. Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report

Each state and territory is ranked by the strengths and weaknesses of their animal protection laws.

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The Animal Legal Defense Fund files high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, provides free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in their fight against animal cruelty, supports animal protection legislation, and provides resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the field of animal law.

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State Animal Protection Laws Ranked: Oregon is #1, North Dakota #50

The 19th annual U.S. Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report (2024) ranks the animal protection laws of all 50 states.
January 28, 2025 Companion Animals

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Animal cruelty does not occur in a vacuum, and the failure to fully examine its origins would likely lead to future criminal acts and the continued cycle of abuse and violence.”

Hon. H. Lee Chitwood, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Pulaski, VA

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