MSPCA Advocacy Updates

Animal Protection News and Updates from Across the Commonwealth

COVID-19 UPDATE: The MSPCA-Angell’s various programs provide a safe haven for animals, especially in times of crisis. Our Advocacy team has compiled a list of advocacy resources during COVID-19 for pets and owners, information on current animal protection issues, and things you can do to stay connected to animals while at home.

We are thinking about all of you, and the MSPCA-Angell is doing everything we can to be here for those who need us the most. We will get through this together.

Animal Protection Legislation on the Move!

Just before a May 8 deadline, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government gave a nod to five animal protection bills and combined them into one bill that will advance in the process. This omnibus bill protects animals from unsafe practices and cruel conditions, prevents the sale of puppies under eight weeks of age, and protects consumers who purchase unhealthy animals. Learn more about this bill.

Springtime Means Wildlife!

It’s officially spring — and what a bizarre spring it is! COVID-19 has caused many of us to stay home, spending a lot of time inside and outdoors in our yards. Wild animals are also out and about, looking for food and shelter, and caring for their young. During this time, well-intentioned people can often find and mistake young animals left alone to be orphaned or injured. It is quite common for the young of many mammals and birds to temporarily be left by their parents while the parents are out foraging. It is almost always best to leave young wildlife alone. Learn the steps to take if you find baby wildlife!

A big thank you to volunteers and advocates that heard our call, and donated handmade masks to our MSPCA-Angell employees! At the beginning of the pandemic, we donated almost all of our PPE to surrounding human hospitals. This left us with a shortage, but volunteers stepped up in such a big way! Now our essential staff — veterinarians, technicians, adoption center staff, and beyond wear these masks everyday so they can still help animals, while staying protected and safe. Advocacy volunteers alone donated over 150 masks! We are so grateful to our animal advocates.

Advocate Spotlight: Advocates Share Stories on Banning the Sale of Puppies and Kittens at Pet Shops

Tara Buonanno Williams and Leslie Luppino were both critical in the passage of ordinances that ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops — Tara in Stoneham and Leslie in Pittsfield. Read on to learn about their experiences, how they became involved with this issue, what tactics they found to be most effective, and advice for other Massachusetts residents who would like to become more involved in animal advocacy.

Coming soon: Advocacy 101 webinar happening in June! Learn about current animal protection legislation, how things have changed at the State House, and what you can do to help animals in Massachusetts. Look for future emails regarding registration.

Connecting Families with Pet Food during COVID-19

Keeping families together when economic issues provide challenges is important to the MSPCA. During this COVID-19 crisis, the MSPCA Community Outreach teams have provided nearly 150,000 meals to pets in need. If you are having difficulty feeding your pet, we are here to help you. We have compiled a list of Massachusetts food pantries that offer pet food to help both families who need pet food (dogs and cats) and those who would like to donate.

As places start to reopen, you may want to get out of the house and bring Fido with you. However, the weather is heating up and it is dangerous to leave your pet in the car while you run errands. Cars can heat up to 110 degrees in 10 minutes on an 80-degree day, even with the windows slightly open. Leaving your pet in a hot car is not only dangerous, it’s illegall! In 2016, the legislature passed a law that more thoroughly addresses this issue. Read the full text of the law, and learn what you can do if you see a pet in a hot car.

We want to thank you for all you do for animals. Please stay safe, and check out these fascinating, funny, and sobering facts we’ve learned about animals so far this year. We find that the more we learn, the more we’re reminded of just how much animals are like us — and how much we’re like them.

Help support our efforts to make Massachusetts a better place for animals.