State and Local Laws
Spotlights
States' Animal Cruelty StatutesNational Agricultural Law Center.
Provides a clickable map of the United States with information on each state's animal cruelty laws.
States' Farm Animal Welfare StatutesNational Agricultural Law Center.
Provides easy and free access to the farm animal welfare statutes in each state. On the map, just click the state you want to learn about!
State Humane Slaughter LawsMichigan State University College of Law. Animal Legal & Historical Center.
In addition to the Federal Humane Slaughter Act, many states have instituted humane slaughter laws.
State Laws Governing EuthanasiaAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
A summary of statutory and regulatory provisions addressing the euthanasia of companion animals.
Carcass Disposal Options: State RegulationsNational Biosecurity Resource Center for Animal Health Emergencies.
Provides links to state regulations on the disposal of animal carcasses as well as detailed information on methods of carcass disposal.
State Import Regulations and RequirementsThe list below contains links directly to the state animal import requirements. If the state is not listed, please see information provided by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The Sale of Pets at Retail Pet StoresMichigan State University. College of Law. Animal Legal & Historical Center.
Provides an overview of retail pet store laws and table of state laws with pet store/pet purchaser protection acts (puppy lemon laws).
State Constitutions, Statutes and Related Legislative InformationCornell University Law School.
This site contains state laws, statutes and related legislation that are governed by each state. You can find statutes by state or by topic area.
State StatutesCornell University School of Law.
Topical list of state statutes available on the internet.
Table of State Assistance Animal LawsMichigan State University College of Law, Animal Legal & Historical Center
The table shows different categories for types of laws dealing with assistance animals by state with links to those laws.
Animal Law in New York State (PDF | 108 KB)New York State Bar Association
This pamphlet gives an overview of animal law in New York state.