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.

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.

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

Legislative Session

Active Legislation

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Active Cases

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Take Action

Take action now to help animals in your state.

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Recent Victories

cows

Challenging Restrictions on Plant-Based Dairy Marketing

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
bobcat

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

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.
dog

“Puppy Laundering” Scheme Violates California Law

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.
pigs

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.