Animal laws: where to start

Written from the sources below on 4 October 2026.

The old page at this address had two tabs, State and Federal. Their text was never saved, so this page is new. It is short on purpose. It is information, not legal advice.

United States: pets in disaster plans

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-308) was enacted on 6 October 2006. It requires the head of FEMA to make sure state and local emergency plans take into account the needs of people with household pets and service animals before, during and after a major disaster. It allows FEMA to help pay for shelters that can take people and their animals, and for the rescue, care and sheltering of animals after a major disaster.

Canada: animal cruelty in the Criminal Code

• Section 445 covers someone who, willfully and without lawful excuse, kills, maims, wounds, poisons or injures dogs, birds or animals kept for a lawful purpose.
• Section 445.1 covers willfully causing, or as the owner willfully permitting, unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or bird. It also covers fighting and baiting animals, and giving a poisonous or injurious substance to a domestic animal.
• A conviction under section 445.1 on indictment can carry up to five years in prison.

Who enforces what

The ASPCA says to report suspected abuse to the agency that enforces animal laws where it happens. That may be local police, animal control, an SPCA or another local humane group. See Reporting animal cruelty.

Rules about leashes, licenses, pet limits and shelters are set locally and change. Check with your town, county or city, and use Find local help to find an organization near you.