
New Jersey
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. This page is meant to be used as a resource to see what is happening in your state and what actions you can take for animals.
State Rankings
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. It is the longest-running and most authoritative of its kind, assessing the strength of each state’s animal protection laws by examining over 3,400 pages of statutes. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
New Jersey
Overall Rank: #16 (Middle Tier)
- +Care requirements (food, water, shelter, care, etc.) are well-defined
- +Animal fighting is a state RICO predicate offense
- -Veterinarians are not required to report suspected animal cruelty
- -No provisions for pre-conviction restitution or forfeiture
- -Prohibition on leaving animals in hot cars, but law enforcement does not have immunity to rescue

Animal Protection Laws of New Jersey
The Animal Protection Laws of New Jersey compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for New Jersey with an effective date on or before September 1, 2021.
Active Legislation

Funds to Care for Animal Cruelty Victims (New Jersey)

Gestation and Veal Crate Ban (New Jersey)

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (New Jersey)

Banning Killing Contests (New Jersey)
Active Cases
Recent Victories

Prohibiting the Sale of Cosmetics Tested on Animals (New Jersey)
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.

New Jersey: Bears Need Protection

New Jersey: Allow Animal Shelters to File for Costs of Care for Animal Cruelty Victims

New Jersey: Ask Your Legislators to Protect Animal Cruelty Victims!

New Jersey: End the Cruel Confinement of Mother Pigs and Calves Used for Veal

New Jersey: Urge Your Legislators to Ban Cruel Killing Contests

Stop Ag-Gag Laws

No More Puppy Mills

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2021 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws