Government Affairs

Latest News

The MSPCA's legislative and public policy work is essential to bring about long-term change for animals. We work locally and nationally to improve animal protection laws and regulations. This work is sustained through our volunteer Animal Action Team members who write letters, make phone calls, attend lobby days at the State House and meet with legislators to help improve the lives of animals.

	Donate to Advocacy You're interested in legislation, so you understand how important our work is to animals in Massachusetts. Please support our efforts with a donation to the Advocacy Department.
	Progress on Pets and Domestic Violence A conference committee has been appointed to work out the differences in House and Senate versions of a habitual offender/crime bill (H. 3811/S. 2080). The Senate version contains the language of S. 682, filed by Sen. Clark to include pets in orders of protection. The conference committee will work on this soon. Click here to learn more, including what you can do to help.
	Be Their Voice - Speak Out for Animals! It's public hearing season and there are still some animal bills that have not yet had public hearings - join us on Mon, Feb.13th to advocate for elephants. For information on legislation, including how/when you can speak out to help animals, click here. Also, save the dates - we'll be doing animal advocacy (Lobby 101/102) trainings in March, and on April 26, 2012, you can join us at the State House in Boston for Humane Lobby Day.
	Pet Trust Law Now in Effect in Massachusetts Massachusetts now has pet trusts. This new law allows for legally enforceable trusts to provide for the care of one or more animals if the trust’s creator becomes incapacitated or dies; people's wishes and directions regarding their companion animals will be carried out if they set up a trust for their pet(s). Read more>>
	Somerville becomes 6th Mass. municipality to pass ban on traveling wild animal acts Somerville, Mass. joined Weymouth, Braintree, Revere, Quincy and Provincetown with a local ordinance prohibiting the use of wild animals in traveling animal acts, like circuses! Read the ordinance and download a local action kit and circus issues and ordinances to work on this issue in your community.