Advocacy Updates

May 2025

Take Action to Protect Animals in the State Budget

An amendment has been filed to the Senate version of the proposed FY26 state budget that will help animals in Massachusetts! Please ask your State Senator to co-sponsor amendment #315!

Sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr, this amendment would add $125,000 to the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF). This funding helps animals whose families who cannot afford critical health services and for animals in municipal shelters across the state. Ask your State Senator to sign on to co-sponsor amendment #315 to the Senate budget to show support and help it pass. You can find your state senator’s email address here. Senate debate starts this week so time is of the essence!

MSPCA and ARL Host Animal Cruelty Briefing

Earlier this month, the MSPCA and the Animal Rescue League of Boston hosted a legislative briefing at the State House that was focused on strengthening animal cruelty laws in Massachusetts. Lawmakers heard how our teams investigate, respond to — and prevent — cruelty across the state.

Legislators and staff also heard from Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden along with Northwestern ADA Erin Aiello and Suffolk ADA Amelia Singh who shared information about their roles in prosecuting animal cruelty. Key staff spoke about the importance of pending cruelty prevention legislation. And of course, shoutout to Tootie, our adoptable pup who stole the spotlight and hearts alike. (Tootie was adopted soon after this event.)

Upcoming Events

Lobby Day for Animals 2025

Join advocates from across the Commonwealth to speak out for animals at the Massachusetts State House. Lobby Day is a great way to experience legislative lobbying firsthand. You will learn about pending legislation that will help animals and have opportunities to network with other animal advocates.

WHEN: June 24, 10:30 am–3:30 pm
WHERE: Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA
REGISTER NOW!

Protect Animals from Rodenticide Lobby Day

We need to protect wildlife and pets by restricting the use of anti-coagulant rodent poisons across the state.

• Meet with your state legislators about rodenticide restricting legislation: H.965/S. 644
• Hear from inspiring speakers, including lawmakers
• Network with other animal advocates and stakeholders

WHEN: July 24, 10:00 am–3:30 pm
WHERE: Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA
REGISTER NOW!

Wildlife Corner

MSPCA-Angell Submits Comments on Rodenticide

We recently submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources on the Anti-Coagulant Rodenticides Scientific Review – Draft Phase 1 Report. We believe our knowledge on the issue of anti-coagulant rodenticide poisonings in companion animals and wildlife would be of use to researchers. Therefore, we requested to be added to the list of stakeholders in the phase 1 report. Pictured here is Lucy, who was treated for anti-coagulant rodenticide poisoning in 2021 at Angell-West in Waltham.

Wild Babies Have Arrived!

Spring has sprung, and our wild neighbors are more active than ever. 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 young mammals and birds to be left by their parents while they are foraging. It is almost always better to leave young wildlife alone. Learn what to do if you think you have found injured or orphaned wildlife!

In the News!

New Animal Protection Laws Take Effect

Two animal protection bills went into effect in April. One is the ban on the declawing of cats. The second prohibits the sale or transfer of a dog or cat who is younger than 8 weeks of age. The new law also prevents the sale and transfer of dogs and cats on any roadside, parkway, median, park or recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market or commercial or retail parking lot. WBUR’s Cici Yongshi Yu spoke to Kara Holmquist, the MSPCA’s director of advocacy, who explains what they do and the reasons behind them.

MA Highest Court Weighs Animal Abuse vs. Discipline

From a legal perspective, having a clear, consistent definition is essential to protecting animals and ensuring that cases of abuse are prosecuted while also providing due process under the law. “While the state’s animal cruelty laws don’t explicitly outline an exception for discipline, a pet owner wouldn’t face criminal liability for force that is “justifiable, reasonable, and necessary under the circumstances,’ according to Lynsey Legier, a staff attorney at the [MSPCA]’s animal protection division. – Boston Globe

How Local Advocates Are Ending Fur Sales 

Massachusetts efforts to ban fur sales were featured on Our Hen House, a podcast on how grassroots advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic planning are creating a domino effect of animal protection laws across the country. Learn how Massachusetts advocates, Fur-Free MA, and others have built a fur sales ban movement that has spread across many of our municipalities with overwhelming support. (MSPCA’s part begins around the 36-minute mark).

Legislative Update: Joint Committee Hearings

Legislative hearings have begun and will continue throughout the year. This is a pivotal step and offers a meaningful opportunity for individuals to speak up — either in support or opposition. Every bill filed has a public hearing and the committee that hears the bill gives an initial determination whether it moves forward or not. An Act standardizing consideration of pets in divorce and separation has already had a hearing, but most animal bills have not. Check out which committees key animal protection bills were assigned to.

Advocate Spotlight: Wally’s Advocacy Tour Wrap Up!

A huge thank-you for being part of Wally’s Animal Advocacy Adventure! Our Community Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator — and her trusty sidekick Wally — hit the road and traveled 765 miles across Massachusetts, visiting eight amazing communities from Centerville to Shelburne Falls.

Along the way, we had the chance to meet incredible animal advocates, and we loved sharing what the MSPCA is working on — from key animal protection issues to how you can use your voice to make a real difference. Your energy, questions, and passion helped make this tour such a success. We’re so grateful to have you in this movement, and we’re excited to keep working together to make life better for animals across the state. See photos from all our stops!