Legal advocacy
Using the law to advance
animal protection.
PUTTING THE LAW ON
THE SIDE OF ANIMALS
Animal Equality works to advance animal protection by ensuring that existing laws and regulations are strictly enforced.
Advocating
for a better future
Despite few and inadequate laws and regulations protecting farmed animals worldwide, Animal Equality works to secure stronger protections that benefit farmed animals in countries all around the world.
In jurisdictions where we find laws insufficient, Animal Equality submits proposals for new legislation, based upon recommendations by leading animal welfare experts, to improve the lives of farmed animals. These recommendations are then often adopted by governments. We frequently collaborate with Senators, MPs, and other officials to influence government policy.
SEEKING JUSTICE
FOR ANIMALS
Thanks to our investigations department, Animal Equality holds individuals and companies accountable for the abuse and neglect of farmed animals.
Our work has resulted in historic convictions of workers for acts of cruelty and neglect committed against animals, investigations of animal agriculture facilities by local authorities, and the closure of slaughterhouses, farms, and meat markets around the world.
PETITIONING FOR
POSITIVE CHANGE
Animal Equality generates public awareness and channels support for legal changes through petitions, calling governments to enact positive changes for farmed animals.
In the United States, Animal Equality’s supporters have taken action to demand Congress end USDA’s effort to relax rules and regulations around animal slaughter.
Efforts are ongoing in several states to outlaw extra cruel forms of confinement for hens, mother pigs, and baby cows.
THE NUMBERS
CURRENT LEGAL CAMPAIGNS
Farmed animals receive few legal protections, and those that exist are rarely enforced. Animal Equality campaigns to ensure animals are protected under the law and that those who abuse them are held responsible.
PROTECTING DECADES OF ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS
Animals face an uncertain future as Congress considers a Farm Bill that puts the lives of millions of cows, pigs, and chickens at risk of extreme suffering.
At the end of 2024, Congress filed a nine-month extension to the Farm Bill. The time is now to tell your representatives you want a Farm Bill that protects animals.
SUPPORTING THE SAFE ACT FOR HORSES
The Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act (SAFE Act) would federally ban horse slaughter in the U.S., as well as the export of American horses abroad for slaughter. Animal Equality has joined the coalition supporting the SAFE Act and the end to horse slaughter.
As an attorney, I’ve never represented any organization as reliably strategic as Animal Equality when it comes to the law. Their use of legal initiatives to solve the problem of factory farming is tactical and sensible.
Ryan Gordon
Attorney, Advancing Law for Animals
ACHIEVEMENTS
Animal agriculture is a cruel industry that abuses animals. With your support, Animal Equality is fighting for justice for farmed animals around the world.
Europe
Europe now has an Animal Welfare Commissioner
Hungarian politician Olivér Várhelyi has taken office as Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare following Animal Equality’s and fellow organizations’ efforts. For the first time in the history of the European Union, a member of the Commission has been appointed for animals—a historic step in animal protection.
Mexico
HISTORIC! The Constitution of Mexico includes animals
Animal protection is now part of the Mexican Constitution. President Claudia Sheinbaum signed reforms to Articles 3, 4, and 73, officially adding animal protection to Mexico’s Constitution. The reforms took effect on December 3, 2024.
United Kingdom
History is made as the United Kingdom bans live animal exports
The UK has made history by banning live animal exports, affecting millions of cows, sheep, and pigs each year. For over fifty years, Animal Equality has been supporting this campaign, which was led by Compassion in World Farming and Kent Action Against Live Exports.
United States
New Jersey becomes 13th state to ban cages
After years of campaigning by Animal Equality and other coalition members, New Jersey joined eleven U.S. states in banning the confinement of pigs used for breeding and calves raised for veal.
United States
America’s most powerful animal protection law is upheld after meat industry challenge
In a historic decision, the United States Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, which establishes protections for hens, pigs, and calves typically confined to tiny cages. Animal Equality was part of a coalition that worked to uphold this important law.
Mexico
Mexico City outlaws backyard slaughterhouses
The Congress of Mexico City passed legislation promoted by Animal Equality to outlaw backyard, or illegal, slaughterhouses. Operators of these facilities will now be subject to two to four years in prison and a fine.
Spain
Spanish Government requires surveillance cameras in slaughterhouses
The Spanish Government issued a decree requiring Spanish slaughterhouses to install video surveillance cameras. Animal Equality in Spain has been urging for the installation of video surveillance as part of its ‘Against Cruelty in Slaughterhouses’ campaign.
Mexico
Hidalgo becomes first state in Mexico to proteCt farmed animals
Hidalgo became the first Mexican state to legally protect farmed animals in law with an initiative promoted by Animal Equality. Acts of cruelty to animals are now punishable by prison sentences.
Italy
Italy moves forward with ban on male chick killing
The Italian Parliament approved an amendment to ban the killing of male chicks in the egg industry by December 2026. Thanks to Animal Equality’s campaign, with the support of Italian officials, 25-40 million male chicks will be spared each year.
Mexico
Puebla to ban unregulated slaughter of animals
In a historic move for animal protection, the Mexican state of Puebla voted to pass a law criminalizing unregulated slaughterhouses and slaughter at live animal markets. This progress is a result of Animal Equality’s work in Mexico and its participation in talks with the Government of Puebla.
United States
Numerous States Pass Laws Protecting over 20 Million Hens Per Year
As part of a coalition, Animal Equality helped pass laws in Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona to ban the egg industry’s confinement of hens in cages.
They also required enrichment in their new cage-free environments, allowing the hens to engage in natural behaviors like perching and dust-bathing.
The new laws will also require any eggs sold within the states to be produced under conditions that meet these standards.
Mexico
Historic Initiative in Mexico
In response to the findings of Animal Equality’s investigation into Jalisco’s slaughterhouses. After a year of campaigning in the Mexican state, Jalisco’s Congress voted for legislation that now decrees that cruelty against farmed animals in the state is now a crime.
The initiative makes cruelty to farmed animals a crime punishable by up to 4 years in prison and prevents those found guilty of working with farmed animals for 3 years. In the case of a repeat crime, it also bars abusers from working with animals again.
United States
Prevent Cruelty California
Animal Equality was part of a coalition of farmed animal protection groups that succeeded in establishing more rigorous farmed animal welfare laws in California.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act will help free millions of animals from cages and give California some of the world’s most advanced farmed animal welfare protections.
United States
Helped secure passage of Question 3 in Massachusetts
Animal Equality was part of a coalition that helped pass Question 3 in Massachusetts. This initiative helps prevent cruelty by eliminating extreme methods of farmed animal confinement on facilities that raise animals for food. The measure passed with more than 78% of the vote supporting protections for animals.
India
GOVERNMENT ADOPTS ANIMAL EQUALITY’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on Animal Equality’s investigative findings, the Law Commission of India stated that it will adopt Animal Equality’s recommendations to improve animal welfare.
Spain
HISTORIC SENTENCING
IN EL ESCOBAR
Following a 2012 Animal Equality investigation, a Spanish court gave farm workers a historic sentence for their involvement in cruelty towards animals. The men received a one-year prison sentence and have been banned from working with animals for three years.
India
A BAN ON
BULL CART RACING
In 2014, the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgment banning bullock cart races and all performances of bulls throughout the country, thanks in part to the work of Animal Equality in India.
United Kingdom
SHUT DOWN:
HARLING PIG FARM
In 2012, After an intensive two-month undercover investigation, which provided a shocking look into the British pig meat industry, two farm workers were convicted of cruelty to animals, and the Harling Farm was shut down.
Nepal
REDUCING ANIMAL SACRIFICE AT GADHIMAI FESTIVAL
Animal Equality campaigned for years to end the cruel sacrifice at one of Nepal’s largest festivals, which takes place every five years. In 2014, our efforts led to a 70% reduction in the animals killed.
MEPs received about 30,000 emails in the week leading up to the vote, asking them to support my initiative to ban battery cages for rabbits. There has never been an online campaign of that scale at the EU Parliament before.
Stefan Eck
It was the exceptional efforts of Animal Equality that contributed to the passage of my initiative with an overwhelming majority.
Member of EU Parliament
What can I do to help?
JOIN THE ANIMAL PROTECTORS
Animal Equality’s dedicated network of Animal Protectors takes action to help farmed animals around the world. Sign up and start helping animals today!
