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.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
No results found.
Active Cases
No results found.
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
No results found.
No results found.
Recent Victories
Exposing the Living Conditions of Hens Used by the Egg Industry
Matthew Hamity v California Department of Food and Agriculture
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the the California Department of Food and Agriculture for violating the California Public Records Act by unlawfully withholding records regarding living conditions of hens used by the egg industry in factory farms.
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.
Challenging the Use of GPS Tracking Devices on Hunting Dogs Without Environmental Assessment (2016)
Public Interest Coalition v California Fish and Game Commission
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the CA Fish and Game Commission, challenging the agency's decision to allow hunters to outfit hunting dogs with GPS tracking devices and “treeing switches" without doing required environmental testing.
Challenging Biotech Company’s Treatment of Animals in Research
Stop Animal Exploitation Now v Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. - Lawsuit filed in 2013
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint on behalf of Stop Animal Exploitation Now against Santa Cruz Biotechnology in a groundbreaking lawsuit against an animal research facility under California’s animal cruelty law and Unfair Competition Law.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws