Every year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes a thorough review of each state’s animal protection laws. In anticipation of the 2018 report, which is due sometime early next year, we thought now was a good time to brush up on the existing laws that have been enacted and reflect upon areas for improvement.

The report is based on a comprehensive review of each jurisdiction’s animal protection laws, including more than 4,000 pages of statutes. Last year’s findings revealed several positive trends. For example, advocacy campaigns and new legislation appear to be helping to reduce the number of animals dying in hot cars. More states are granting civil immunity to citizens for removing animals from these vehicles. and now more than 25 states now have some type of “hot car” laws on the books.

But there’s still considerable work to be done. State laws vary widely from one jurisdiction to the next and greater consistency is needed. And stricter penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, those offenses deemed especially violent, need to be established – even for first time offenders.

We encourage you to become more familiar with the animal protection laws in your area.