
California
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. This page is meant to be used as a resource to see what is happening in your state and what actions you can take for animals.
State Rankings
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. It is the longest-running and most authoritative of its kind, assessing the strength of each state’s animal protection laws by examining over 3,400 pages of statutes. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
California
Overall Rank: #9 (Top Tier)
- +Animals may be included in protection orders
- +Veterinarians must report suspected animal cruelty, and have immunity for doing so in good faith
- +Mandatory post-conviction possession ban
- -Seizure and pre-conviction forfeiture statute is not clear, and pre-conviction forfeiture is very limited
- -Standards for minimum acceptable care for animals (e.g. necessary food, water, shelter) are not well-defined

Animal Protection Laws of California
The Animal Protection Laws of California compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for California with an effective date on or before September 1, 2021.
Active Legislation

Ban Predatory Lending Related to Companion Animal Sales (California)
Active Cases

Circumventing California Puppy Mill Ban

Suing Unscrupulous Puppy Traffickers Who Knowingly Sold Sick Dogs

Urging the California Air Resources Board to Stop Factory Farms from Profiting from Pollution

Challenging the Government’s Fatal Mismanagement of Protected Tule Elk

Challenging Foster Farms Slaughterhouse’s Illegal Water Use

Urging Humboldt County, CA to Terminate Contract with Wildlife-Killing Federal Agency

“Puppy Laundering” Scheme Violates California Law
Recent Victories

Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)

Strengthening the State’s Retail Pet Sale Ban (California)

Challenging Restrictions on Plant-Based Dairy Marketing

Ending Intensive Confinement in California

Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Urging California Air Resources Board to Regulate Factory Farm Emissions
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.

California: Help Ban Cat Declawing Statewide!

Urge Governor Newsom and the California Air Resources Board to Stop Factory Farms from Profiting from Pollution (California)

Stop Ag-Gag Laws

No More Puppy Mills

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2021 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws