MSPCA C.A.R.E.S. About Our Communities: Advocacy in Action

This most recent issue of our magazine Companion highlighted the Advocacy Department’s achievements protecting animals and keeping them together with their families. Below is more information on the programs and efforts mentioned in the article.

The MSPCA successfully lobbied the state legislature to create two programs to help underserved pets receive standard care:

The Massachusetts Animal Fund seeks to end animal homelessness in Massachusetts and to support local animals in need by offsetting costs of vaccination, spaying, and neutering of homeless cats and dogs and those owned by low-income residents, as well as assisting with the training of animal control officers. This program is primarily funded by the voluntary tax check off (Line 33f) on the Massachusetts resident income tax form. The MSPCA provides services to the community with the help of this funding. Please donate if you are still working on your taxes!

The Spay/Neuter License Plate Program is funded through “I’m Animal Friendly” license plate purchases which fund low cost spay/neuter programs for dogs, cats, and rabbits across the state. While we aren’t driving much right now, when people start to hit the road again, these are a great way to show your support for animals — order one today!

The MSPCA has also worked to keep pets with their families by opposing policies and laws that are based on a dog’s breed.

We believe that these policies are not effective; instead, strong laws that prevent bites — from all breeds — should be implemented. We lobbied a law that set forth a statewide dangerous dog law and specifically prohibited regulation based on breed. No Massachusetts municipality may have a breed-discriminatory ordinance.

Currently, homeowners insurance companies may still continue to discriminate against dogs based on breed. Legislation filed during the 2019-2020 session would prevent insurance companies in Massachusetts from discriminating (cancelling, refusing to renew or charging a higher premium based solely on the breed of dog owned). Learn more about this legislation.

To stay up to date on all of our advocacy efforts, join the Animal Action Team, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, check out our Advocate for Animals page for more ways to be involved, and see how we work to help animals every day.