Action Center
There are more ways than ever to take action for cats and help save lives. Your voice can help change laws and direct public opinion toward humane care for all cats.
Scroll through these Calls to Action to see how you can make a difference!
Scroll through these Calls to Action to see how you can make a difference!
Federal Companion Animal Welfare Legislation
Contact your district's House representatives and tell them to vote YES on each of these measures!
House Bill HR 3957: PUPP Act of 2023
"To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to modify and upgrade structures to serve as interim and permanent housing to accommodate unhoused individuals with pets, and for other purposes."
This bill would help keep people who lose their homes from needing to surrender their pets to shelters. This is an important step to take to combat shelter overcrowding and euthanasia. It will also benefit the people, who love their pets.
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House Res HRes 1418
"Expressing support for the designation of October 1, 2022, as ‘National Animal Rescue Day’ to create awareness of the importance of animal adoption, to educate on the importance of spaying and neutering animals, and to encourage animal adoptions throughout the United States."
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Bills to Ban Declawing Statewide!
Arizona
Update (June 25, 2022): HB 2224 died on the House floor. Keep checking this page and writing your reps - hopefully, a similar bill will be proposed again.
New Hampshire
Bill HB 231 would prohibit declawing in New Hampshire. It passed the NH House in March 2023 and is now with the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Massachusetts
Update (Jan 18, 2024): The bill (formerly S190) was passed unanimously by the state Senate. It must also be passed by the House.
Bill S2552 would ban declawing of all animals except in cases where it benefits the health of the animal. The bill is currently with the Joint (House and Senate) Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
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Tell the US National Park Service Not to Kill Cats in San Juan, Puerto Rico
The U.S. National Park Service has announced a plan to remove the approximately 200 community cats living at the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico. The NPS' plan allows for one animal welfare group that they select just six months to remove and find new locations for all of the cats. If this objective is not met, or they don't determine at least enough progress has been made, the NPS will hire a removal service to handle the cat population. In other words, most or all of the cats will be killed.
Not only is the timetable impossible, finding a place for 200 cats, some of whom are too wild to be adopted into regular homes, is really an impossible task on its own. There is an absolute crisis of shelter overcrowding throughout the U.S. Neither rescues nor state shelters in this country will be able to take in more than a few cats, if any. The NPS has been advised of this by local cat welfare groups, and they are unmoved.
Please join Alley Cat Rescue in HOLDING THE U.S. NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE ACCOUNTABLE for the overpopulation problems at the San Juan National Historic Site. They should work on deterring abandonment, not punishing the cats who are abandoned. The hardworking people who TNR and care for all of the cats will also suffer a huge emotional loss if this plan is implemented.
Click below to sign our petition if you believe that this CRUELTY should not stand.
Not only is the timetable impossible, finding a place for 200 cats, some of whom are too wild to be adopted into regular homes, is really an impossible task on its own. There is an absolute crisis of shelter overcrowding throughout the U.S. Neither rescues nor state shelters in this country will be able to take in more than a few cats, if any. The NPS has been advised of this by local cat welfare groups, and they are unmoved.
Please join Alley Cat Rescue in HOLDING THE U.S. NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE ACCOUNTABLE for the overpopulation problems at the San Juan National Historic Site. They should work on deterring abandonment, not punishing the cats who are abandoned. The hardworking people who TNR and care for all of the cats will also suffer a huge emotional loss if this plan is implemented.
Click below to sign our petition if you believe that this CRUELTY should not stand.
Australia
Help Stop the Culling of Cats on Kangaroo Island
Update (August 9, 2022): Following the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board's killing of 61 cats in what they call their "winter blitz," and reports that the Board is preparing to kill many more during their "feral cat baiting season," we sent a letter to the Kangaroo Island Council CEO protesting the cull. Please read the full letter HERE.
And continue to share the petition! We will update the CEO when if we reach 5,000 signatures! The Australian government and environmental groups such as Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife are now persecuting cats on Kangaroo Island with more fervor than ever before. Their goal is to kill all cats on the island, which they've labeled an "invasive species," through some truly inhumane methods. Click the button below to learn more and to sign ACR's petition against the culling.
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Protect Managed Community Cats from Being Killed in Australia's ACTThe ACT Cat Plan makes TNR illegal and unsocialized cats that cannot be taken into a home are to be hunted and killed, all in a misguided effort to protect ACT wildlife from cat predation. It is imperative that the government understand that well-managed colonies of sterilized cats are fed regularly and therefore pose little threat to wildlife. These cats are also vaccinated, which ensures they will not spread zoonotic diseases. Managed colony cats should be considered owned by their caretakers and be exempt from the Cat Plan’s indoor-only cats rule.
Sign our petition for ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, signifying your support of these exemptions. |
Feral Cats Being Killed in Australia
Update (Aug 31, 2021): ACR mailed a letter of protest to the AU Minister for the Environment, Threatened Species Commissioner, and Ambassador to the US. Excerpts from the letter can be found on the petition page, via the button below.
We will send another letter to these government officials and additional policy-makers once we pass 100,000 signatures! The Australian government wants to rid the continent of feral cats through a cull of two million animals. This plan was introduced in 2015 and is still in action! Speak out against the government-sanctioned shooting, poisoning and bounty-killing happening right now.
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Hawaii
Defend Senior Outdoor Cats at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui
The Grand Wailea Resort in Wailea, Maui is home to 31 spayed / neutered, vaccinated senior cats who are in danger of being displaced or worse.
Click the button below for a letter template that you can sign and mail/Email to the resort decision-makers that explains why removing the cats is unnecessary and would be dangerous to the cats' wellbeing. |
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Global Feral Fix Challenge
VETERINARIANS: Help stop the killing of healthy cats and kittens in shelters by providing low-cost spay/neuter services in your community. Sign-up today and start making a difference!
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Spay/Neuter Fund Expansion
Crossover bills SB 641 and HB 85 would establish a process through which a person may make a voluntary contribution to the Fund. It would also help the pet population of underserved communities by adding financing for routine vaccinations during the time of spay and neuter services, mobile veterinary clinic transportation, and transportation services for animals to a clinic from an underserved area.
Conact your Senate and House representatives and ask them to support this bill. |
California Pet Crisis Response Act
Update (August 30, 2023): Bill ACR 86 has passed the CA Senate.
Bill ACR 86 urges actions by the state, Veterinary Medical Board, local governments, private and public shelters, rescues, and private foundations to address pet overpopulation. Find out more details and how you can help get this bill passed by clicking the button below.
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California: Expanding Access to Cat Neuters
Update (April 9, 20224): This bill passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and will next be voted on by the Appropriations Committee.
There is a huge backlog of community cats needing to be neutered and not enough veterinarians to do the surgeries. Bill AB 2133 would allow Registered Veterinary Technicians to perform male cat neuters under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Contact your Assembly representative to ask them to support Bill AB 2133. |
Petition to Stop Killing of Cats at Osan U.S. Air Base
South Korean nonprofit, Beagle Rescue Network released a shocking video of what appears to be a member of the US Air Force shooting a cat in a trap at close range on May 19th. According to a report from Beagle Rescue Network, the Osan Air Base has been killing stray and feral cats trapped on site since April 2021.
Please click the button below learn more and sign our petition condemning the killing of cats at Osan Air Base, and supporting moving them into adoption and working cat programs. |
Re-introduce Virginia bill to prevent TNR volunteers from paying penalties
Bill SB1390 was introduced and passed in the Virginia State Senate on February 2nd of this year. Unfortunately, it did not pass the second legislative phase in the House of Delegates.
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2021 Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act (ACE)
The Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act proposes the establishment of "an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, and for other purposes.*" Read more about this act and contact your representative to show your support of it by clicking the button below!
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Tell Shelter Directors: Euthanasia by Gas Chamber is CRUEL
It may be hard to believe, but the inhumane practice of euthanasia through gas chambers is still practiced by a few U.S. shelters - and that is a few too many. ACR has been able to confirm the locations of three of these shelters, and we are asking you to join us in condemning gassing animals and pressuring these shelters to change.
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Demand China End Cat Meat Trade
In parts of China, cats are regularly stolen from their owners and barbarically slaughtered for human consumption. This must be stopped. Contact Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai and sign our petition today to urge him to speak out against these atrocities and to put an end to this egregious practice immediately.
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Kitten Act of 2019UPDATE (December 2020): The USDA has voluntarily ended the research program responsible for thousands of kitten deaths.
However, we still need to pass the KITTEN Act to make sure no kittens are ever used and discarded in this way again.
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Michigan - Promote TNR |
Urge Your Local Shelters to Release Ear-Tipped Cats
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Don't Let Cats be Labeled an Invasive Species!
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MI RESIDENTS: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would make community cats easier to care for while removing barriers to trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. The bill would help cats and caregivers alike.
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Your voice can help change laws and direct public opinion towards humane care for all cats. Feral cats are at a much higher risk for euthanasia because they cannot be adopted out. To prevent this needless loss of life, urge your shelters to release ear-tipped cats they trap to TNR groups. This simple action will save many innocent lives.
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We need to take the real causes of wildlife and bird depletion seriously - habitat loss, climate change, pollution, pesticides - and STOP the rampant scapegoating of cats. It's just too easy to blame cats and not to tackle the tough issues. Call your senators today and urge them to prevent legislation from passing that unfairly labels cats as invasive species.
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Pledge to be an example for good!
Pledge to Spay/NeuterAbout 2500 cats and kittens are killed in U.S. shelters each day, simply because there are not enough homes for them. Pledge to do your part in ending overpopulation by spaying or neutering your pets.
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Pledge Not to DeclawDeclawing is an unnecessary procedure that can cause pain and behavioral problems. Click to find out more and pledge to never declaw your cat.
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Successful Campaigns!
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Tell Your Reps to Support the Big Cat Public Safety Act
UPDATE (Dec 20, 2022): The bill has been signed into law!
The Big Cat Public Safety Act would protect big cats from exploitation and improper care by prohibiting private individuals from owning them as pets. It would also prohibit public interactions with cubs such as photo ops and petting. Big cats should be respected as wild animals, not bred and captured for the pleasure of individuals! Please contact your representatives and tell them to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
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Contact Councilman Joseph Betrus Jr.
UPDATE (May 6, 2020): The city council met regarding the proposed ordinance and decided NOT to fine people for feeding feral cats!
Councilman Betrus has proposed a new ordinance in Utica, NY that would penalize the public for feeding feral cats. This ordinance would be detrimental to the feral cat population as well as the citizens of Utica, as the population of feral cats will only increase without the implementation of TNR. We urge you to contact Councilman Betrus and encourage him to abandon this ordinance and promote TNR.
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Protect NSW Cats & Wildlife from Being Poisoned
UPDATE (Oct 4, 2021): The AVPMA responded to our letter, saying they will refuse the emergency permit application to use bromadiolone in crops.
Read the full response. NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall wants to use the powerful poison, bromadiolone as a pesticide to solve the state's mouse overpopulation crisis. Bromadiolone is so potent and reacts with the mice's bodies once ingested in such a way that it will definitely kill any animals that eat those mice. This includes wildlife and cats - even barn and pet cats. Sign our petition against the use of bromadiolone by NSW farmers.
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Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (P.A.C.T.) ActUPDATE (November 26, 2019): PACT has been made public law!
The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act would complement state anti-cruelty laws, make malicious acts of animal abuse a federal crime, and close loopholes in current federal law.
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