


Legislation
Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to advance important legislation. We advocate for laws that promote or protect the lives and interests of animals, and we oppose legislation that would be detrimental to animals’ well-being.
We also work closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s other programs to identify opportunities to create model legislation that address strategic legal issues in the areas of civil and criminal law, and monitor legislation that impacts animals at the federal, state, and local levels.
Federal Bills

Pigs and Public Health Act (Federal)

Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act (Federal)

Captive Primate Safety Act (Federal)

Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act (Federal)
State Bills
State-level advocacy actions are available for those states in session. Each state has its own legislative schedule, holding sessions on predefined intervals.

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (Michigan)

A Bill to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses (New York)

Humane Pet Store Bill (New Jersey)

The Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act (Illinois)

Oppose: Ag-Gag Bill to Criminalize Undercover Animal Cruelty Investigations (Kansas)

Oppose: An Act Relating to Taking of Bears (Florida)
Recent Victories

Coercive Control Bill (Massachusetts)

Room to Roam Act (California)

Poison-Free Wildlife Act (California)

A Bill to Strengthen Cruelty Laws (Oregon)
Legislative Program Team
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs -
Alicia Prygoski
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Allison Ludtke
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Jennifer Hauge
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Kathleen Schatzmann
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Stephanie Harris
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Lindsay Vierheilig
Legislative Affairs Manager
Related News
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Legislative Affairs Quarterly Update
Join the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Legislative Affairs Team for a look at current legislation, hear about exciting updates, and to learn how you can get involved to support our priorities for 2025. -
West Virginia is the Only Remaining State That Doesn’t Ban Bestiality
The state is ranked 20th in the 2024 U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Ranking ReportJanuary 30, 2025 Press Release -
Court Allows RICO Lawsuit Filed Against Puppy Mill Broker JAKS Puppies and Associates to Proceed
Class-action lawsuit alleges thousands in California purchased dogs falsely labeled “rescues.”January 29, 2025 Press Release