
Rhode Island
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.
Rhode Island
Overall Rank: #5 (Top Tier)
- +Mandatory post-conviction possession bans
- +Veterinarians must report suspected animal cruelty, and have immunity for doing so
- +Felony provisions for cruelty, neglect, abandonment, fighting, and sexual assault of animals
- -Social services professionals are not required to report suspected animal cruelty
- -Sexual assault of animals statute is poorly defined

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

Banning the Sale of Foie Gras (Rhode Island)

Banning the sale of fur (Rhode Island)
Active Cases
Recent Victories
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your own state.

Rhode Island: Ban Foie Gras Sales!

Rhode Island: Protect Animals Killed for Their Fur

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