New York

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.

New York
Overall Rank: #28 (Middle Tier)

Legislative Session

Active Legislation

A Bill to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses (New York)

A Bill to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses (New York)

A.4005-A/S.4363-A
This New York bill would prohibit the use of certain wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts throughout the state, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies.
cat and dog

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (New York)

S.1659/A.111
The New York Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) bill would provide for an advocate in criminal cases concerning the welfare or care of an animal.
Horse

Ryder’s Law

Intro 573
Proposed New York City legislation will phase out and ban horse-drawn carriages in the city and replace them with horseless, electric carriages.

Active Cases

No results found.

Take Action

Take action now to help animals in your state.

tiger

New York: Help Protect Animals from Inhumane Circuses and Traveling Acts

A bill to ban the use of certain wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts in the state, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies. Urge your state legislators to support this important bill today!
fox

New York: Thank Governor Hochul for Protecting Wildlife

Governor Hochul signed a bill, A.5746/S.6643, that would prohibit harassing or killing certain wild animals at competitive events.
Ryder the horse collapsed on 9th Street in New York City

New York City: Protect Horses

Horses in New York City are suffering! It is time for NYC to take the next step to protect animals and ban the use of horse-drawn carriages. Take action today!
cat and dog

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

S.1659/A.111 provides for an advocate in criminal cases concerning the welfare or care of an animal. Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
cow

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.
dog

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.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban

Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban

In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows

Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows

This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.

Past Victories

Banning Killing Contests (New York)

Banning Killing Contests (New York)

S.4099/A.2917
Proposed legislation would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
puppy mills

Puppy Mill Pipeline Act (New York)

S.1130/A.4283
The Puppy Mill Pipeline Act would prohibit the sale of puppies, kittens, and rabbits in retail stores.
rabbits

New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act (New York)

Prohibits the manufacture or sale of cosmetics tested on animals after January 1, 2023 (A.5653-A/ S.4839)
The New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act, A.5653-A/S.4839, would prohibit the manufacture or sale of most cosmetics tested on animals after January 1, 2023.