American Humane - Protecting Children & Animals since 1877

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At both the state and federal levels, American Humane's Office of Public Policy actively monitors and advocates for legislation that protects children and animals from abuse and neglect. Our Vice President of public policy, a former prosecuting attorney and nationally recognized trainer in child and animal protection, and our office’s expert staff advocate for improved legislation, engage in grassroots outreach efforts to mobilize communities to become a voice for better laws, and educate child and animal welfare professionals on The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as other humane education topics.


Download Protecting Animal's "DC Insider" for a 2009 legislative update.

Federal and State Alerts

Federal Alert
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
Help give our nation’s children the protection they deserve by fully funding CAPTA.

Federal Alert
Early Education Bills
Help provide children with a strong start in education at a young age.

Federal Alert
Education Begins at Home Act
Help keep children and families safe.

Federal Alert
White House Conference on Children and Youth in 2010 Act
Help make children in America a priority today.

Alaska Alert
Bestiality
Help make bestiality a form of animal cruelty in Alaska.

Delaware Alert
Penalizing Animal Fighting and Baiting
Help punish animal cruelty in Delaware by imposing a mandatory six-month jail sentence for individuals convicted of animal fighting and baiting.

Delaware Alert
Pets in Protective Orders
Help protect Delaware’s pets from domestic violence.

Massachusetts Alert
Breed-neutral dangerous dog law
Support this bill to stop unfair targeting of certain breeds.

Massachusetts Alert
Pets in Protective Orders
Help protect Massachusetts’ pets from domestic abuse

Michigan Alert
Humane Euthanasia / Anti-Pound Seizure
Help ban all inhumane methods of euthanasia for shelter animals and keep shelter cats and dogs from being used in research.
Download the endorsement form.

Michigan Alert
Pound Seizure
Help stop pound seizure in Michigan animal shelters.

Minnesota Alert
Pets in Protective Orders
Help protect Minnesota’s pets from domestic abuse

New Jersey Alert
Ban Unfair Targeting of Certain Dog Breeds
Help stop insurers from discriminating based on dog breed.

New Jersey Alert
Animal Cruelty in the Presence of a Child
Help protect New Jersey's children from exposure to animal cruelty.

New Jersey Alert
Including Pets in Restraining Orders
Help protect New Jersey's pets from domestic violence.

New Jersey Alert
Cross-Reporting of Child and Animal Abuse
Help support the cross-reporting of child and animal abuse in New Jersey.

New Jersey Alert
Protect Dogs from Excessive Tethering
Help restrict the inhumane practice of tethering dogs outdoors for long periods at a time.

New Jersey Alert
Establish Animal Hoarding as an Animal Cruelty Offense
Help establish animal hoarding as an animal cruelty offense.

New York Alert
Animal Hoarding
Address and prevent animal hoarding by making it a serious animal neglect offense.

New York Alert
Increasing penalties for animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals
Increase jail time and fines for animal fighting and acts of aggravated cruelty to animals, and provide psychiatric evaluations and treatment to those convicted to prevent future abuse.

New York Alert
Breed-Specific Legislation
Stop insurance companies from discriminating against certain dog breeds.

Ohio Alert
Pets in Protective Orders; Counseling; Abuse Penalty
Protect animals from abuse and ensure that convicted abusers receive treatment.

Ohio Alert
Repeal Breed-Specific Legislation
Stop unfair targeting of certain dog breeds

Pennsylvania Alert
Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Releasing Agencies
Require state-licensed animal shelters to sterilize all animals before they are released for adoption.

Pennsylvania Alert
Eliminate Gas Chambers for Shelter Animals
Help ban the use of the gas chamber for euthanizing animals in shelters.

South Carolina Alert
Pets in Protective Orders
Help protect South Carolina’s pets from domestic abuse.


Pets in Protective Orders

Each year, defenseless pets face the grim reality that they will be victims of domestic abuse. American Humane knows that individuals who abuse animals rarely stop there. Human victims -- adults and children alike -- often feel they have no choice but to remain in violent households in order to avoid harm to their pets.

For more information about protective orders, including the steps for obtaining one, click here. (PDF)

By allowing judges to include pets in protective orders, the following bills address this issue head-on.

Delaware (DE residents only)
Massachusetts (MA residents only)
Minnesota (MN residents only)
New Jersey (NJ residents only)
Ohio (OH residents only)
South Carolina (SC residents only)

Pets in Protective Orders bills enacted into law: Maine, New York and Vermont (2006); California, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada and Tennessee (2007); District of Columbia, Louisiana and Puerto Rico (2008); Hawaii, North Carolina, Washington (2009)

International Alerts

Help us support international efforts to stop the cruel Canadian Seal hunt.

Legislative Updates

Check for updates and find out the results of legislation addressed by our Action Alerts:

Advocacy Resources

See which state laws protect children and animals.


As always, we need your help to keep the pressure on Congress for stronger protection of animals and children all across the United States. Make sure to register on our site and sign up to receive Action Alerts. All you have to do is fill out your information and select the checkbox next to Action Alerts. You'll be able to contact your legislators and advocate for animals and children -- with just the click of a mouse.

Who Represents You?

Quick Links to Official Government Web sites

www.whitehouse.gov

www.senate.gov

www.house.gov

Leaping Bunny

Compassionate Shopping Guide (PDF)

American Humane is a founding member of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), the organization behind the Leaping Bunny program for animal-friendly products.

Legislative Initiatives

American Humane signs on to support these legislative initiatives. Download them for details:

Health Reform Support Letter

Letter to support the HAPPY Act

Support for incremental tenant-based voucher letter to Senate

Home visitation letter to House Republican Conference

Letter to support the rescission of Medicaid Targeted Case Management Options

Home Visiting Letter to Congress

Letter to Congress to support home visiting funding

Support for Juvenile Justice Reauthorization

Full Funding for VAWA/FVPSA

Letter to President Obama Regarding Children’s Mental Health Care Reform

Healthcare Reform Letter to President Obama

Helping Children through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Support Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act

Protection for Crime Victims Fund and VOCA

Byrne Grant/COPS Grant Increase in Economic Stimulus

Increase Child Welfare Funding in Economic Stimulus

CAPTA and SSBG Funds in Economic Stimulus Package

VAWA Appropriations Letter

VAWA/VOCA Appropriations Letter

Including Homeless Children in Stimulus Package