Our legislative work in the US
FOUR PAWS advocates for animals on the local, state, and federal levels
In the United States, FOUR PAWS works to pass legislation that improves animal welfare on the local, state, and federal level. This session we are supporting bills that protect animals who are used for entertainment, those that live in the wild, those that are bred for the textile industry, as well as farm animals and companion animals. Learn more about the bills we support in 2025 below.
Learn about bills we support in 2025
Federal Bills We Support
Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025 (H.R. 1661, S. 775)
This bill aims to permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and to prohibit the exportation of horses for slaughter abroad.
Latest Action: Senate bill has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. House bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act (Mink VIRUS Act) (H.R. 2185)
This bill aims to protect public health and human safety by prohibiting factory farming of mink for fur and provide compensation for mink farmers to help them transition to a new business.
Latest Action: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and to the Committee on the Budget
The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2253)
The Puppy Protection Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to require improved quality of care standards for USDA dog breeders, including: feedings at least twice a day, protection from weather, solid flooring, and more spacious dog runs.
Latest Action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
City and State Bills We Support
BILLS BANNING WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES
New York (S.3629A/A.5850): prohibits use of bears, wild cats, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies in traveling shows
Latest Action: Passed the Senate
Washington (SB 5065): prohibits use of bears, wild cats, nonhuman primates, and elephants in traveling shows
Latest Action: Success! This bill was signed into law on April 22, 2025.
BILLS BANNING NEW RETAIL FUR SALES
Massachusetts (S. 551/HD 990): prohibit the sale of newly farmed fur products.
Latest Action: Referred to Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Hawaii (SB 687/HB 719): It shall be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, possess with intent to sell, display for sale, distribute, or otherwise trade a fur product in the State.
Latest Action: Died in Committee/No longer active
Illinois (SB 3262): prohibits a person from owning or operating a mink enterprise in Illinois
Last Action: Filed with Secretary
Chicago (Ordinance SO2023-0002983): This ordinance targets fur production due to animal cruelty, environmental pollution, toxic chemicals, and zoonotic diseases like COVID-19.
Last Action: Failed to pass Chicago City Council on March 12, 2025
Rhode Island (H.5447/S.25): prohibits the sale of new fur-farmed products in Rhode Island
Last Action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
BILLS BANNING PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF SOME WILD ANIMALS
Illinois (SB 1192): prohibits private possession of servals, caracals, kangaroos, wallabies, and their hybrids
Last Action: Died in Committee/No longer active
Virginia (HB 1768): prohibits private possession of nonhuman primates
Last Action: Died in Committee/No longer active
BILLS RELATED TO OTHER CAPTIVE WILDLIFE ISSUES
Virginia (SB 1125): prohibits cruel breeding practices by captive wildlife holders, such as hybrid breeding of tigers and lions, and too early separation of babies from their mothers for entertainment purposes
Last Action: Governor Youngkin vetoed the bill
Letters to Congress and Federal Agencies
Opposition to Attacks on the Endangered Species Act
FOUR PAWS signed onto this coalition letter to oppose legislation that weakers the Endangered Species Act
Opposition to the Fix our Forests Act
While named to lead voters to believe this bill will mitigate fire dangers, this bill is designed to help logging industry by attacking ESA protections, and likely increasing fire risk.
Bills We Oppose
Food Security and Farm Protection Act (previously the EATS Act) (S.1326)
This act would threaten animal welfare and food security by undermining states' abilities to enact agricultural laws, including the dismantling of state laws that prohibit the extreme confinement of farm animals.
Last Action: Introduced in the Senate
AMENDMENTS THAT WEAKEN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
“ESA Amendments Act of 2025” (H.R.1897) contains numerous provisions that would drastically weaken the ESA and decrease protections for threatened and endangered species by creating loopholes, which make it easier for fossil fuel companies and corporate polluters to develop our public lands without regard for species and environmental protections. Read our opposition letter here.
Last Action: Subcommittee hearings held on March 25, 2025
The so-called “Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025” (H.R.845) directs the Secretary of the Interior to delist the gray wolf, an iconic keystone species that plays a vital role in keeping America’s ecosystems healthy. Read our opposition letter here.
Last Action: Subcommittee hearings held on March 25, 2025
The so-called "Fix our Forests Act" (FOFA) (H.R. 471) stifles public input, removes science from land management decisions, and thwarts what the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have done to protect healthy communities for decades. It claims to mitigate fire risk, while in reality, this bill helps the logging industry and will likely make fires worse. You can read our full opposition letter here.
Last Action: Passed in the U.S. House of Representatives
Proposed rule to curb habitat protection within ESA (Federal Register language)
On April 17, 2025, the Trump administration proposed a rule change which would open up protected habitat to extractive industries such as timber, oil, and mining. The change hinges on the interpretation of the word “harm.” Since the passage of the ESA in 1973, “harm” to endangered species has included harm to the habitat the animals need to survive. The current administration is claiming that “harm” only means directly hurting or killing an animal. This rule change would severely undermine the ESA and put endangered species at risk, potentially reversing fifty years of progress.
Latest Action: The rule was proposed on April 17. The public has 30 days to comment. Court challenges to this proposed rule change are likely. You can submit your comment here.
How you can get involved
- For Federal Bills, call or email your two Senators and House Representative and tell them you support the passage of these common sense bills for animals. Be sure to tell them the name of the bill and bill number you are calling about. Look up your elected officials.
- For State Bills, Call or email your state Senator and state House Representative to voice your support. Legislators are keen to hear from their constituents and want to know what topics matter most to voters. Attending a hearing for a bill is another great way to show your support. Look up your elected officials.
- For City Bills, call or email your local elected officials, and attend any local committee meetings where the bills are discussed. Look up your elected officials.
- Share your opinion on social media. This can help bring attention to a cause that is important to you and gain more supporters. When elected officials see an issue gaining traction online, they may be more likely to voice their support.
- Sign our petitions to raise your voice with millions of other animal supporters.
