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)
An act to add Section 22348 to the Financial Code, relating to consumer loans (A.B. 2380)
This California state bill prohibits the financing of purchases of dogs and cats, often used in the sale of animals bred in puppy or kitten mills and sold online.
Active Cases
Circumventing California Puppy Mill Ban
Carey, et al. v J.A.K.’s Puppies, Inc., et al.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class-action lawsuit against a network of individuals and businesses who conspired with California pet stores to sell puppy mill dogs mislabeled as “rescues.”
Suing Unscrupulous Puppy Traffickers Who Knowingly Sold Sick Dogs
Jessica Loy et. al. v. Trina Kenney et. al.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Kenney family seeking to end their deceptive marketing and sale of puppies, and to recover damages for those who were victimized by the puppy traffickers’ unscrupulous conduct.
Urging the California Air Resources Board to Stop Factory Farms from Profiting from Pollution
On October 27, 2021, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and coalition partners took action by submitting a petition for rulemaking to the California Air Resources Board, the agency within California’s Environmental Protection Agency charged with improving air quality.
Challenging the Government’s Fatal Mismanagement of Protected Tule Elk
Gescheidt v. National Park Service
Tule elk are a beloved fixture at the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California. But the National Park Service (NPS), the federal agency responsible for protecting them, is failing at the task — with numerous elk suffering and dying as a result of its negligence.
Challenging Foster Farms Slaughterhouse’s Illegal Water Use
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Foster Poultry Farms
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Foster Farms, operator of a large slaughterhouse and chicken processing plant in Livingston, California, for its illegal use of vast quantities of water in violation of the California Constitution.
Challenging a California Puppy Mill for Violating State and Local Laws
CARU Society for the Prevention v Anthony
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the owner of California Carolina Dogs for operating an illegal puppy mill.
Urging Humboldt County, CA to Terminate Contract with Wildlife-Killing Federal Agency
Letter sent on April 30, 2019
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sent a letter to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and Humboldt County Agriculture Commissioner, urging them to terminate their contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.
“Puppy Laundering” Scheme Violates California Law
Volar Society v. Barks Adoptions
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Animal Kingdom pet store and purported rescue group Bark Adoptions for unlawfully circumventing the California law that bans the retail sale of dogs.
Recent Victories
Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)
California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788)
Places safeguards on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Strengthening the State’s Retail Pet Sale Ban (California)
Bella’s Act (AB 2152)
Bella’s Act, AB 2152, strengthens California’s retail pet sale ban and helps ensure pet stores do not profit off animals bred in mills.
Challenging Restrictions on Plant-Based Dairy Marketing
Miyoko's Kitchen v. California Dep't of Food and Agriculture
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Food and Agriculture on behalf of vegan food producer Miyoko's Creamery, after the agency instructed the company to stop using terms like "dairy" and "butter" on its product
Ending Intensive Confinement in California
Prop 12 – public vote
In 2018, Californians voted to enact Prop 12, taking another major step towards ending the intensive confinement of farmed animals.
Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Chelsea Vancleve v Chien Et Chat, Inc.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against pet store chain Barkworks, on behalf of puppy purchasers harmed by the company’s illegal and deceptive practices in selling puppy mill dogs.
Urging California Air Resources Board to Regulate Factory Farm Emissions
Petition for Rulemaking
In 2014, the Animal Legal Defense Fund submitted a petition for rulemaking urging the California Air Resources Board to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from factory farming under the state’s cap-and-trade program.
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
Urge Governor Newsom and the California Air Resources Board to Stop Factory Farms from Profiting from Pollution (California)
Urge Governor Newsom and CARB to stop allowing factory farms to exploit and profit from California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
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.
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals
Want to take the next step in your animal advocacy? Learn the skills you need to pass laws protecting animals at the local level! Local laws are critical – not only do they help individual animals in your community but prime state legislation.
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals
Learn how wild animals are exploited in circuses and traveling shows, and how you can help!
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Learn how to fight back against the cruel fur industry by passing a fur ban in your community! Led by Animal Legal Defense Fund Campaigns Manager Elizabeth Holtz, this webinar will walk you through the mechanics of fur production, the policy issues, including animal cruelty, environmental impacts, and public health, and more.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2021 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws