Why act locally?
Changing the laws relating to animals is something that can happen on a local level, impacting your city or town. In fact, many laws relating to animals are local in nature. Leash laws, dangerous dog laws, and other animal control matters are often under the authority of local government.

Passing a local ordinance or bylaw may be less complicated and timely than trying to pass a statewide law. While local ordinances or bylaws would only impact animals in a city or town, their reach is often far greater. Local ordinances provide a model for other cities and towns to follow and local legislation can gain enough momentum to pass the issue to the state level. In 2024, the state legislature passed a bill to restrict certain wild animals in traveling acts; this happened after many municipalities adopted similar local measures.

Don’t know where to start? We can help! Email Advocacy@mspca.org.

Issues We Work On

Other examples of local ordinances in Massachusetts that relate to animal protection:

• Prior to the state bill that restricted dog tethering, six cities and towns (Amherst, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Greenfield, Milton, and Provincetown) had bylaws that restricted tethering.
• Pittsfield has an ordinance that requires farm animals to have enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and extend their limbs (passed prior to the statewide ballot question).
• Cambridge has an ordinance that requires the city manager to appoint a Commissioner of Laboratory Animals (CLA) for the purpose of overseeing the care and use of laboratory animals in the city.
• Everett passed an ordinance requiring pest control companies and problem animal control agents to check roof traps for squirrels and raccoons every 6 hours from June 1 through September 30, i.e., during the heat of the summer.
• Provincetown passed a non-binding resolution to adopt low-noise fireworks.