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)
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, 2023.
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Recent Victories
Challenge Mendocino County, CA Contract with Wildlife Services
Animal Legal Defense Fund v Mendocino County
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Mendocino County, California, for violating the California Environmental Quality Act by renewing a contract with the federal wildlife-killing program known as Wildlife Services.
Challenging Trader Joe’s Misleading Egg Carton Labeling
Carolyn Claybaugh v. Trader Joe's Co.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Trader Joe’s Company on behalf of a Trader Joe’s egg purchaser, seeking to stop Trader Joe’s from deceptively labeling its cage-free eggs and misleading consumers seeking eggs.
Forcing Disclosure of Foster Farms Water Usage Records
Animal Legal Defense Fund v City of Livingston
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the City of Livingston California for unlawfully withholding records about water usage at a Foster Farms slaughterhouse and processing plant.
Defending Animal Activists’ First Amendment Rights
Manning Beef v Los Angeles Cow Save
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a motion to dismiss Manning Beef’s meritless lawsuit against Los Angeles Cow Save for exercising their first amendment right to protest.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws