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

Opposing SeaWorld San Diego Permit for Expansion

The Animal Legal Defense Fund opposed the expansion of SeaWorld San Diego without strict requirements, including not acquiring additional orcas.
pigs

Challenging Cal EXPO’s Use of Farrowing Crates (2017)

The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the California Exposition and State Fair and Regents of the University of California on grounds that the State Fair's inhumane treatment of nursing and pregnant pigs violates state animal cruelty laws.
Puppy poking head through metal fence

Challenging Stockton Animal Shelters Care of Animals

The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the city of Stockton, California, and Stockton Animal Services, for violation of local and state laws. The lawsuit was settled in 2015, with the Stockton animal shelter showing significant improvements.
California Bull Run

California Bull Run

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit that put an end to the Great Bull Run—an event in which three dozen panicked bulls are forced to stampede down a narrow track with up to a thousand runners.