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Massachusetts
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.
Massachusetts
Overall Rank: #4 (Top Tier)
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Animal Protection Laws of Massachusetts
The Animal Protection Laws of Massachusetts compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Massachusetts with an effective date on or before September 1, 2023.
Legislative Session
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
![Massachusetts: Ask your legislators to protect animals this session!](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Ask your legislators to protect animals this session!
![dog](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Ensure that dogs and their families can stay together
![Massachusetts: Ask your legislators to support Ollie’s Law](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Ask your legislators to support Ollie’s Law
![Massachusetts: Ban Cat Declawing](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Ban Cat Declawing
![Massachusetts: Ask Your Legislators to Strengthen Animal Cruelty Laws](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Ask Your Legislators to Strengthen Animal Cruelty Laws
![rabbits](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Help end animal testing for cosmetics and other products
![dog](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Keep Animals Away from Abusers
![elephant](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Massachusetts: Help Protect Animals from Inhumane Circuses and Traveling Acts
![cow](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Stop Ag-Gag Laws
![dog](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
No More Puppy Mills
![Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
![Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
Recent Victories
![Coercive Control Bill (Massachusetts)](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Coercive Control Bill (Massachusetts)
![American Black Bear](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Protect Wildlife with Safe Crossings (Massachusetts)
![lion](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Massachusetts)
![Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale of Guinea Pigs in Pet Shops (Boston, Massachusetts)](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale of Guinea Pigs in Pet Shops (Boston, Massachusetts)
Active Cases
Active Legislation
![An Act to Increase Kennel Safety (Massachusetts)](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
An Act to Increase Kennel Safety (Massachusetts)
![An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing (Massachusetts)](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing (Massachusetts)
![kittens in carrier](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Mass Animal Fund (Massachusetts)
![Humane Protection of Animals Act (Massachusetts)](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Humane Protection of Animals Act (Massachusetts)
![cat](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Protect Domestic Animals from Cruel Conditions with Civil Citations (Massachusetts)
![mice](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Promote Alternatives to Cosmetics and Product Testing on Animals (Massachusetts)
![dog](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Ensure That Dogs and Their Families Can Stay Together (Massachusetts)
![eagle](https://aldf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Protecting Animals from Rat Poisons (Massachusetts)
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws