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
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Recent Victories
Restricting SeaWorld’s Ability to Breed Orcas in California
SeaWorld v California Coastal Commission
In 2016, Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a motion to intervene in the SeaWorld v. California Coastal Commission lawsuit in California state court. We sought to uphold a permit condition imposed on SeaWorld, that restricts breeding and transfer of orcas.
War on Wildlife Services: Monterey County
Animal Legal Defense Fund v Monterey County
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in state court challenging Monterey County, California’s contract renewal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.
Chihuahua Puppy Trapped in Crate and Set on Fire
California v. Willie Bee Turner
The Animal Legal Defense Fund offered a $5,000 reward that helped lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible setting a puppy on fire and leaving her to die.
Increasing Safety Measures After Cat Haven Zoo Death
OSHA v Cat Haven
The Animal Legal Defense Fund intervenes in Cat Haven Zoo's appeal of a California Division of Occupational Safety special order, spurring a settlement and the addition of important safety measures at the zoo.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws