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"Sometimes, #cat declawing leaves #cats with pain that can contribute to behavioral issues that lead families to chose to surrender their cat, according to the MSPCA-Angell."
via MetroWest Daily News: https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/09/declawing-cats-is-now-illegal-in-ma-heres-what-to-know/82987585007/
MetroWest Daily News · Law making cat declawing illegal in MA goes into effect. What to know
Check out this #Boston Globe piece for some important insight into a recent #Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling from our Staff Attorney, Lynsey Legier: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/04/opinion/animal-abuse-massachusetts/
The Boston Globe · Opinion | When does dog discipline become animal abuse?
Following a horrifying case involving nearly 100 dead #animals on a property in #Sturbridge, we're renewing calls for better state #animal cruelty laws in #Massachusetts. Want to know how you can help? Visit one of the stops on our #Advocacy training tour.
Tomorrow (April 2), Wally and his human will be in #Salem. Register and see other dates here: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/mKhSqQ3a3kasihOEF_D-YA2
Learn more about the Sturbridge case here: https://spectrumnews1.com/ma/worcester/news/2025/03/27/sturbrigde-animal-cruelty-case
"There needs to be some modifications to our current statutory framework for #animal related crimes that can more fully encompass, not only while we do have something for subsequent offenses, but even on the first offense, depending on the type of crime addressing those based on what the offense is,” said [MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler].
via Spectrum 1 News: https://spectrumnews1.com/ma/worcester/news/2025/03/27/sturbrigde-animal-cruelty-case
spectrumnews1.comMSPCA renews calls for better state animal cruelty lawsThe MSPCA is looking to ban people convicted of animal cruelty crimes from owning an animal for at least five years, or longer if a court deems it reasonable.
“There are also concerns that many animals bought in pet stores end up in shelters.
“This creates a problem, not just for nonprofit #animal groups, but many municipalities too,” [MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist] explained. “It becomes a burden for animal control facilities that intake stray #animals or surrendered animals.””
via WPRI: https://www.wpri.com/new-england/massachusetts/bills-aim-to-ban-sale-of-certain-pets-in-massachusetts-stores/
#massachusetts #mapoli #animaladvocacy
Wally’s Advocacy tour is stopping in #Boston tomorrow! With the help of his person and MSPCA Community Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator, Wally will teach people how to use their voices to advocate for #animals and help make change in #Massachusetts. Learn more and register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/K4RLMDhJAkWM_i91GEZHhQ2 #mapoliwithpets #mapoli #massachusetts #advocacy #animaladvocacy
Interested in learning more about how our Advocacy team helps #animals across #Massachusetts? Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis sat down with Advocacy Director, Kara Holmquist, to discuss what we’re working on this session, watch here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1193547662140660&rdid=dIh143RJjkeT3r3i
If that inspires you to advocate for animals yourself, stop by our training tour! It kicks off this week. Registration and info here: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/mKhSqQ3a3kasihOEF_D-YA2 #mapoli #mapoliwithpets #animaladvocacy #animal
Do you like helping #animals and meeting cute #dogs? If so, you should join us on Wally’s Advocacy training tour! Wally the pup will be joining our Advocacy experts visiting destinations across #Massachusetts in the coming weeks to teach people how to advocate for animals. It starts in #Leominster next week!
Learn more and sign up here: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/mKhSqQ3a3kasihOEF_D-YA2
It’s that time of year–Black #bears, including new cubs, are emerging from their dens! Black bears are generally shy around people, but they may approach our dwellings if they are looking for food. If they do find food, they could come back, and even get used to humans. It's on us to protect them by making sure they don't get too comfy around us and our property.
Learn more at http://www.mspca.org/bear 
MSPCA-AngellAbout Black BearsAlthough black bears have historically shied away from humans, they may wander onto human-inhabited property, primarily looking for food.
"Pet-friendly housing can be hard to find in #Massachusetts. Just under 40% of rental units in the state allow some kind of #pet, and only 7% have no breed or weight restrictions, according to MSPCA research.
“Finding housing is already a challenge, and having a pet — particularly a #dog — makes finding housing that much more difficult,” MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist said in a Monday statement to MassLive."
masslive · Greater Boston’s housing crisis is also making pets homeless, local shelters say
“Like wild animals, #pets can suffer SGAR poisoning after eating a poisoned rat, Melissa Ekvall, MSPCA Senior #Advocacy Coordinator, said. But more commonly, they become poisoned by a #rodenticide after gaining access to a bait box and ingesting the poison directly.”
via MassLive: https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/02/could-a-near-total-ban-on-some-rat-poisons-lead-to-better-pest-control-in-mass.html
masslive · Could banning some rat poisons lead to better pest control in Mass.?
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We’re also backing bills that would phase out certain harmful rodenticides that pose a threat to #pets and #wildlife, end the use of #animals for testing cosmetics and household products, and close gaps in our laws to keep more animals safe.
Want to learn more about what we’re up to? Join us TONIGHT (Jan. 28) for a webinar where we’ll discuss all of these important measures and how you can help us make them a reality. Register here: https://www.mspca.org/events/advocate-for-animals-webinar-new-legislative-session/
MSPCA-AngellAdvocate for Animals Webinar: New Legislative SessionWe are hosting an Advocate for Animals webinar on January 28 at 6pm. Learn about which bills have been filed, what’s next, and what you can do best use your voice for animals on Beacon Hill this 2025-2026 legislative session! This is a great chance to connect with other people in your community who are interested in animal protection issues. Advance registration is required, so sign up today!
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We’re also working to stop the puppy-mill-to-pet-shop pipeline by banning the sale of #dogs, #cats, #rabbits, and #guineapigs in #Massachusetts stores unless they partner with a shelter or rescue org. A similar measure recently took effect in New York, and if we don’t pass our bill, those stores may migrate to Massachusetts.
More on the bill here: https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/puppymillbills/ 3/
MSPCA-AngellBanning the Retail Sale of Certain Animals in Pet ShopsPet shops typically acquire their dogs and cats from inhumane commercial breeding facilities, often called “puppy mills” or “kitten mills.” Pet stores are a preferred sales outlet for puppy mills because they allow the cruelty at the mills to remain hidden from consumers. This bill prohibits the sale of dogs and cats (and H. 384 includes rabbits too) from pet shops unless the animals come from shelters or rescue organizations.
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Housing is the number one reason #dogs are surrendered and impacts the length of stay for dogs at shelters who spend more time waiting for homes, so we’re advocating for a bill to ensure that certain state-aided housing cannot discriminate against or include language that limits a tenant or resident’s ability to live in that type of housing based on the size, weight, or perceived breed of their #dog.
More on that here: https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/housingandinsurancebill/ 2/
MSPCA-AngellDogs and Housing/Homeowners InsuranceDogs should be judged as the individuals they are — not based on outdated and long-ago-disproven stereotypes. If properties choose to allow dogs as family pets, they should not be able to discriminate based on size, weight, or perceived breed.
In 2024, we celebrated the passage of several important laws in #Massachusetts, including banning the inhumane practice of declawing cats, as well as the use of giraffes, elephants, and big cats in traveling shows, not to mention Ollie’s Law, which will put in place rules and regs at dog daycare and boarding facilities.
We’re not slowing down in 2025! There’s still more work to be done to help animals in the Commonwealth, read on to learn what we’re working on 
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“Declawing involves taking out the first bone of a cat's toes. The MSPCA describes it as "an amputation comparable to the removal of all ten human fingertips at the first knuckle." Advocates also say declawing can make #cats more likely to bite, and can cause them to avoid a litter box.”
Via CBS #Boston: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/cat-declawing-ban-law-illegal-massachusetts/
"[MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist] said the equivalent operation on a human would be amputating fingers up to the first knuckle. She added #cats are often so traumatized by the procedure, they start biting, stop using litter boxes and exhibit other negative behaviors. She said declawing also throws off their balance."
Via MassLive: https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/01/gov-healey-signs-bill-banning-cat-declawing.html
masslive · Gov. Healey signs bill banning cat declawing
ICYMI: Amid this busy news week, there were some major wins for animal welfare! On Wednesday, Governor Healey signed into law not one, but two measures that will make #Massachusetts a better place for #animals. First, a measure to ban the inhumane practice of declawing #cats. Second, a measure banning the sale of #puppies and #kittens under eight-weeks-old!
Read more about the measures on our website: https://www.mspca.org/news/bill-to-prohibit-cat-declawing-signed-by-governor/
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"That would make sure that any injury reports are posted online when they result in an enforcement action, so I think as a consumer, this will be really helpful to make sure that we're putting our #pets in places that we know are safe,” [said MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist]
WJAR · Massachusetts law mandates kennel licenses, injury reportsA new law in Massachusetts aims to protect pets staying at kennels.