Gov. Signs New Animal Welfare Law Creating Statewide Homeless Animal Fund

Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation on Thursday that provides greater protection for animals across Massachusetts. The law includes creating a statewide homeless animal fund, paid for with voluntary contributions by residents, to fund spaying and neutering in state animal shelters. 

The MSPCA-Angell Advocacy team - with canines and felines looking on - stood by Patrick at the Ashland Animal Control office as he signed “An Act Further Regulating Animal Control” into law.  

“I am pleased to sign this legislation that strengthens and improves our animal control laws to better protect and care for our state’s homeless animals,” said Patrick via press release.

The new law includes a number of important animal protection measures long supported by the MSPCA, according to a press release. These measures include:

• Establishing a statewide homeless animal fund, paid for with voluntary contributions from citizens, to fund spay and neuter surgeries in state animal shelters, which is expected to significantly reduce the number of homeless animals in Massachusetts.
• The addition of pets to domestic abuse prevention orders, ensuring that both human and animal victims of domestic violence can be covered by a restraining order.
• Prohibiting inhumane methods of euthanasia for animals in shelters deemed too aggressive or too ill to be adopted into homes.
• Mandatory training for animal control officers, spanning safe animal training, animal CPR and other key areas.

“This important legislation bolsters animal control laws in the Commonwealth,” said state Senator Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, the sponsor of the bill via press release. “The current laws are out of date; this bill will help municipalities deal with the problems they face today. Furthermore, it manages to modernize and improve animal control without raising fees or taxes, due to the voluntary donation via the Massachusetts state income tax forms.”

For more detail on the new law, check out the MSPCA’s overview of the bill by clicking here.

"For years, organizations, individuals, and legislators have been seeking a comprehensive revision of Chapter 140, relating to animals; S. 2192 is the result of years of stakeholder discussions," said , MSPCA-Angell via press release. "We are thrilled to see this important bill become law and believe it will make important progress in safeguarding both animals and the public."