
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: Ensure that dogs and their families can stay together

Massachusetts: Ask your legislators to support Ollie’s Law

Massachusetts: Ban Cat Declawing

Massachusetts: Ask Your Legislators to Strengthen Animal Cruelty Laws

Massachusetts: Help end animal testing for cosmetics and other products

Massachusetts: Keep Animals Away from Abusers

Massachusetts: Help Protect Animals from Inhumane Circuses and Traveling Acts

Massachusetts: Ask Your State Legislators to Help Protect Animals from Rat Poisons

Stop Ag-Gag Laws

No More Puppy Mills

Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban

Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
Recent Victories

Protect Wildlife with Safe Crossings (Massachusetts)

Preventing Convicted Wildlife Poachers from Hunting in Massachusetts (Massachusetts)

Facilitating the Adoption of Dogs and Cats Retired from Laboratories (Massachusetts)

Upgrading Standards for Hens Used by the Egg Industry (Massachusetts)
Active Cases
Active Legislation

An Act to Increase Kennel Safety (Massachusetts)

An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing (Massachusetts)

Mass Animal Fund (Massachusetts)

Ordinance to Prohibit the Sale of Guinea Pigs in Pet Shops (Boston, Massachusetts)

Humane Protection of Animals Act (Massachusetts)

Protect Domestic Animals from Cruel Conditions with Civil Citations (Massachusetts)

Promote Alternatives to Cosmetics and Product Testing on Animals (Massachusetts)

Ensure That Dogs and Their Families Can Stay Together (Massachusetts)
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws