Advocacy Updates

August 2024

 After Two Decades, Victory for Wild and Exotic Animal

On August 8, Governor Maura Healey signed legislation to prohibit the use of elephants, big cats, primates, bears, and giraffes in traveling shows in Massachusetts! Thank you to the advocates across the state who worked so hard to make this happen — your calls, emails, and meetings all mattered! Thank you to sponsors Senator Bruce Tarr, Senator Adam Gomez, Representative Carole Fiola, and Representative Brad Jones. Learn more and see more people who deserve thanks.

Legislation That Could Still Advance…

The formal session of the state legislature ended on July 31, but it is still possible to move some bills in informal session (until the end of the calendar year). We continue to work on:

Ollie’s Law (passed both the House and then the Senate, but versions differ slightly; the next step is the House to “concur” with the Senate’s version)
Declawing ban (passed the Senate but not the House)
Preventing the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age (passed the Senate but not the House)
Clarifying a timeline for reporting of animal abuse and ending breed discrimination as a factor in identifying eligible foster/adoptive homes for children (passed the House but not the Senate)
Reducing the use of rodenticides (pending in both chambers)
Read a recap of this legislative session.

 One way to create change for animals is to pass a local bylaw or ordinance in your city or town. Dozens of municipalities in our state have enacted measures that protect animals, including preventing the sale of animals in pet stores, banning the sale of fur, and restricting harmful rodenticides. Fifteen municipalities have passed local measures banning the use of animals in circuses, helping to pass the state ban! Our upcoming webinars will get you started in your own community.

State Budget Includes Funding for Animals

When the state budget was signed on July 29, the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF) was allocated $100,000! These funds help families who cannot afford critical health services for their animals and animals who are in shelters across the state. Last year, the Fund received over 3,700 requests for assistance for local animals in need. One out of every four of the animals assisted needed urgent services for a life-threatening medical condition or spay/neuter so that they could stay with their families and not be relinquished. Thank you to Senators Tarr, Senator Velis, and Representative Philips for filing and advocating for this language, and to Senate and House leadership for approving it. Learn about the Mass. Animal Fund.

Farmed Animals Update

Court rules against pork industry

In July, a federal judge rejected the pork industry’s latest attempt to halt Question 3, the ballot question that passed with 78% of the vote in 2016 and prevents breeding pigs, egg-laying hens, and calves raised for veal from being kept in cages so small that they are unable to turn around or extend their limbs (and prohibits the in-state sale of products from these cruelly confined animals). The court rejected arguments by out-of-state pig farmers and Triumph Foods. The court rejected their claim that the state law conflicted with a federal law and therefore needed to be invalidated. We are grateful to Attorney General Campbell’s office for the strong defense of this animal protection law. 

But…federal legislative efforts continue to stop Question 3

A harmful provision was added to the federal “Farm Bill” (a large-scale legislative package that is passed every five years) on behalf of the pork industry with language taken in part from the EATS (Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression) Act. The language in this Farm Bill would nullify the part of the 2016 ballot question that impacts pigs in gestation crates (see above).

Learn how you can help!

In the News!

Traveling Exotic Animal Acts Bill Passes House

“The bill both protects public health and safety and ensures that our state no longer supports the cruel traveling exotic animal acts industry, where animals suffer from extreme confinement, abusive training, negligent veterinary care, and scarce opportunities to express natural behaviors,” said Liz Magner, animal advocacy specialist at the Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Boston Tries New Way to Control Rat Population

Boston is aiming to reduce rat populations through the use of contraception. “Dumping poison into our environment is not sustainable, and the rodent problem in Boston is not a situation that we can kill our way out of,” [said Alaina Gonzalez-White, director of operations at WISDOM Good Works.] “So we’re just on the precipice of changing an entire paradigm when approaching rodent control.”

Question 3 Legal Victory

A U.S. District Judge in Boston upheld the farmed animal confinement law. “We are pleased that the court has determined that the ballot measure is not preempted by federal law and can continue to be enforced, as is the will of Massachusetts voters. The pork industry has run out of tactics to try to delay and overturn this humane measure,” said Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Protect Paws, Don’t Declaw Event Raises Awareness

Efforts to raise awareness about the harmful procedure of declawing cats — which still occurs for convenience — was a big success at the State House. Legislators and staff met “Mug,” a very sociable kitten who was loved by all who met him. The bill passed the Senate in January and we are working to pass the bill in the House in the “informal” session before December 31.

Rats Deserve Humane Treatment Too

Boston City Councilor Enrique Pepén recently filed a hearing order to review the findings of a pilot program on rat contraception to explore expanding it citywide. It is currently being used in the city’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood. While cities still heavily rely on lethal methods, there does seem to be a shift to prevention (via measures such as trash control) and a rising awareness that rodenticides are harmful to non-target animals and the environment. If you live in Boston, please reach out to your city councilors to support non-lethal rodent control. Read more about our wildlife conflict work.