Massachusetts
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.
Massachusetts
Overall Rank: #8 (Top Tier)
- +Felony provisions for cruelty, neglect, fighting, abandonment, and sexual assault
- +Mandatory post-conviction forfeiture
- +Protection orders may include animals
- -Standards for minimum acceptable care for animals (e.g. necessary food, water, shelter) are not well-defined
- -No statutorily authorized sentencing to mental health evaluation or treatment
Animal Protection Laws of Massachusetts
The Animal Protection Laws of Massachusetts compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Massachusetts with an effective date on or before September 1, 2022.
Legislative Session
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
Massachusetts: Ask Your Legislators to Strengthen Animal Cruelty Laws
The Humane Protection of Animals Act (S.1142/H.1718) is a critical omnibus anti-cruelty bill that will strengthen and clarify Massachusetts’ animal cruelty laws.
Massachusetts: Support alternatives to animal testing
Ask your legislators to support a bill that would require certain industries to consider alternative testing methods instead of animal testing of cosmetics, household products, and their ingredients.
Massachusetts: Keep Animals Away from Abusers
An Act to Protect Animals From Convicted Animal Abusers (H.1703/S.1076) would prohibit a person convicted of certain animal cruelty crimes — including torture, mutilation, and dogfighting — from possessing, adopting, or fostering an animal for at least five years.
Massachusetts: Help Wild Animals Exploited by Circuses
An Act Relative to the Use of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, Giraffes, and Bears in Traveling Exhibits and Shows (S.2197/S.2189/H.32452) would prohibit the use of certain animals in circuses and traveling shows in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts: Ask Your State Legislators to Help Protect Animals from Rat Poisons
An Act Relative to Pesticides (S.487/H.825) would reduce the use of rat poisons in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts: Ask Your State Legislators to Ban Fur Sales
An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Fur Products (H.849/S.590) would ban the sale of new fur products, including clothing, fashion accessories, and home décor, in the Commonwealth.
Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals
Want to take the next step in your animal advocacy? Learn the skills you need to pass laws protecting animals at the local level! Local laws are critical – not only do they help individual animals in your community but prime state legislation.
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals
Learn how wild animals are exploited in circuses and traveling shows, and how you can help!
Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Learn how to fight back against the cruel fur industry by passing a fur ban in your community! Led by Animal Legal Defense Fund Campaigns Manager Elizabeth Holtz, this webinar will walk you through the mechanics of fur production, the policy issues, including animal cruelty, environmental impacts, and public health, and more.
Recent Victories
Protect Wildlife with Safe Crossings (Massachusetts)
Wildlife Crossings Project Provision of the Transportation Bond Bill (SEC 40 of H.5151)
Requires study of the feasibility of and creating an action plan for wildlife crossings projects in the Commonwealth
Preventing Convicted Wildlife Poachers from Hunting in Massachusetts (Massachusetts)
An Act Further Regulating the Enforcement of Illegal Hunting Practices (H.4442)
Modernizes penalties for illegal hunting and enters Massachusetts in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
Facilitating the Adoption of Dogs and Cats Retired from Laboratories (Massachusetts)
An Act Protecting Research Animals (H.901)
Requires dogs and cats at research institutions or product testing facilities be offered for adoption through a non-profit animal shelter or rescue or through private placement once the research ends, if a necropsy is not mandated
Upgrading Standards for Hens Used by the Egg Industry (Massachusetts)
An Act to Upgrade Hen Welfare and Establish Uniform Cage-free Standards (S.2481)
Improves conditions for hens used by the egg industry by mandating that they be able to engage in certain vital natural and expands coverage to hens whose eggs are used for egg products commonly used by cafeterias and fast food chains
Active Cases
No results found.
Active Legislation
An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing (Massachusetts)
S. 190
This bill would prohibit cat declawing except as a medical necessity to protect the cat’s health.
An Act Relative to Pesticides (Massachusetts)
H. 3900 Amendment #222
This amendment in the state budget bill for fiscal year 2024, H.3900, will prioritize science-based animal management and reduce the use of rodenticides.
Mass Animal Fund (Massachusetts)
H. 3900 Amendment #139/S. 3 Amendments ENV #4 & #8
These amendments in the state budget bill for fiscal year 2024, will allocate $100,000 to critical companion animal health services.
Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale of Guinea Pigs in Pet Shops (Boston, Massachusetts)
Docket #0626
Would expand the city’s existing ban on the pet store sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits to additionally include guinea pigs
Humane Protection of Animals Act (Massachusetts)
S.1142/H.1718
To strengthen and clarify Massachusetts’ animal cruelty laws
Protect Domestic Animals from Cruel Conditions with Civil Citations (Massachusetts)
S.1059/H.2102
Allows Massachusetts law enforcement officers to remediate situations involving animals kept in cruel conditions by issuing civil citations.
Promote Alternatives to Cosmetics and Product Testing on Animals (Massachusetts)
S.1424/H.850
Bill would require manufacturers and their contract testing facilities to use methods that replace animal testing of products and ingredients for cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial chemicals.
Ensure That Dogs and Their Families Can Stay Together (Massachusetts)
An Act to Maintain Stable Housing for Families with Pets in an Economic Crisis and Beyond (S.876/H.1367)
Expands access to housing by prohibiting certain discriminatory policies for tenants, residents, homeowners, and renters based on their dog’s breed and by helping ensure families can be housed together with companion animals during a state of emergency
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws