Advocacy Updates

March 2025

Co-Sponsor Day at the State House

We had a great day at the co-sponsor event for animal bills at the State House! Legislators and staff were able to learn about many animal protection issues and show their support. But we still need your help! With more than 7,000 bills filed so far this session, your legislators need to hear that animal issues are important to their constituents — YOU!
It is not too late to reach out to your state senator and state representative to ask them to co-sponsor key bills. Visit our toolkit for easy steps to do this. To see if your legislators have signed on to select animal protection bills, visit the Animal Scorecard. If they have co-sponsored, it’s a great idea to send them a thank you!

Beverly Brings Total to 16 Pet Shop Bans in MA!

Thanks to resident Emily H., Beverly has become the 16th Massachusetts municipality to pass (with an 8-0 vote and approval by Mayor Cahill) a pet store measure that prohibits the sale of certain animals in pet shops (but allows shelters/rescues to showcase animals in a shop). Beverly’s ordinance is very comprehensive, covering most mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Learn how to pass local legislation. If you would like to make your municipality next, email us at advocacy@mspca.org.

Help Animals on Your Taxes! Still working on your taxes? Don’t forget that a donation on line 33f helps animals in Massachusetts! Since 2013, state tax forms have allowed taxpayers to donate to help dogs and cats in municipal shelters and living with families who cannot otherwise afford health services to be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Learn more.

Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATE: Lobby Day for Animals

Save June 24 for the annual Lobby Day for Animals. Advocates from around the state will have opportunities to meet with each other, legislators, and staff to advance animal protection bills. Read about past Lobby Days and read testimonials from past attendees here.

Join Wally to Learn about Animal Protection Advocacy!

Our canine mascot, Wally, will be traveling around the state with us to speak to the public and advocates about animal protection issues and how to be an effective animal advocate. Look for a location near you and check back as more dates will be added!

Wildlife Corner

MSPCA Weighs in on Wildlife

We recently submitted comments to the state agency MassWildlife on proposed regulatory changes to expand the bear and deer hunting seasons for the purported reason of stabilizing or reducing populations. Yet the state does not have a current, accurate bear population estimate, nor shared any metrics or objectives as to how they will actually track any hunting impacts. We urged for more data-based decision making and greater transparency with the public.

Interested in reducing rodenticides in your community? We have been working with coalition partners on this important issue on the state AND local levels! Join a Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors event for a gathering in your area to learn how rodent poisons harm wildlife and about plans to reduce rodent poison use. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for events.

Resolving Bear and Beaver Conflicts Humanely
Thanks to a grant from the Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation, we again are able to help communities in Western Massachusetts mitigate beaver-related flooding and address bear/human trash conflicts. Learn more about funding for bear-proofing and beaver waterflow devices.

In the News!

Rodenticides Hurt More Than Wildlife

Anticoagulant rodenticides impact non-targeted wildlife populations, such as birds of prey, who rely on the poisoned rodents as a food source. As a result, hawks, eagles, bobcats, etc. who are exposed often suffer the same hemorrhaging as their meal. But they are not the only animals impacted. “Like wild animals, pets can suffer SGAR poisoning after eating a poisoned rat, Melissa Ekvall, MSPCA Senior Advocacy Coordinator, said. But more commonly, they become poisoned by a rodenticide after gaining access to a bait box and ingesting the poison directly.”

Massachusetts Housing Crisis Also Impacting Pets

While the housing shortage crisis affecting every community in Massachusetts is exacerbated for dog-owning families. Responsible Massachusetts dog owners are finding that they are not welcome in certain housing markets if they own medium or larger sized dogs, or certain breeds (or a dog that looks like one of these breeds). “Finding housing is already a challenge, and having a pet — particularly a dog — makes finding housing that much more difficult,” MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist said in a Monday statement to MassLive.

MSPCA-Angell’s Kara Holmquist Appointed to Ollie’s Law Advisory Committee

Ollie’s Law went into effect last December. Part of the law includes the creation of an advisory committee to assist the state with the creation of rule and regulations for dog daycares and boarding facilities. “The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is responsible for the administering of the law and has announced the members of the Ollie’s Law Advisory Committee which will assist MDAR create the rules to protect both animals and workers at pet care facilities.”

Legislative Update: Committee Appointments

Last week, legislators were appointed to committees — an important step in the legislative process. We now know who will be making decisions on important animal bills. Just yesterday, bills started to be assigned to those committees. The next step is for bills to have a hearing in front of committee members, so it is important they are well-informed on the issues in front of them. Visit our state legislation page for updates on bills. Email us at advocacy@mspca.org with questions!

Advocate Spotlight: Teens Advocate for Animals

Students from the veterinary science program at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School visited the State House to talk to legislators about bills to ban the retail sale of animals in pet shops and to reduce housing barriers for people with companion animals. The students were able to meet with Senator Dooner and Senator Fernandes and Representatives Xiarhos and Moakley and get tours of the Senate and House chambers.

We also recently hosted our first-ever Animal Advocacy Training for Teens webinar, bringing together passionate young advocates dedicated to making a difference for animals. This new program marks the beginning of opportunities for students to learn about key animal protection issues and the actions they can take. Check out our Advocacy Teens webpage to learn more!