
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.
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Recent Victories

Funding Critical Animal Health Services In Massachusetts FY2021 State Budget

Funding Critical Health Services for Animals In Need (Massachusetts)

Ending Killing Contests in Massachusetts
Active Cases
Active Legislation

Protecting Animals from Rat Poisons (Massachusetts)

Banning the Sale of Fur (Massachusetts)

Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Massachusetts)

Animal Possession Ban (Massachusetts)
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws