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: #6 (Top Tier)

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

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.
dog puppy mills

Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action

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

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.