Minnesota is not the worst State for animal protection, welfare and care; nor is it the best. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has profiled each state, based on its animal protection laws, and created a ranking. The “worst five” States for animal issues: Arkansas, Alaska, Kentucky, North Dakota, and Utah. The best: California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, and Oregon.

Recent actions/news

Below are a few actions taken by other states in regards to animal protection issues. There are many more. Additional sources will be added.

• Virginia
Virginia: Legislation to crack down on Puppy Mills heads to Governor for signature

Virginia House Bill No. 538

• North Carolina
Landmark lawsuit allowing private litigants to civilly enforce cases of animal cruelty
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Woodley

• Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell to push broad changes for kennels

• Wisconsin
Wisconsin makes a move to combat puppy mills

• Colorado
Colorado created a Pet Overpopulation Fund to raise revenues to support and fund spay-neuter surgeries.
http://www.savecoloradopets.org/

• Louisiana
Lousiana recently passed a pet-friendly vehicle license plate to help raise revenues for spay/neuter efforts.

• Illinois
Illinois, through its Animal Population Control Act, enacted in 2005, raises millions each year to cover sterilization and vaccination costs.