Thanks to your support and the dedicated work of our advocacy team and our animal welfare partners, four important animal protection bills were passed and signed into law during the 2025 Washington State Legislative Session! These laws will bring lasting change to animals across our state and help bring an end to suffering:
- HB 1149 Animal Fighting & Cruelty (PSH Bill): Strengthens animal fighting laws, fixes a serious loophole in the animal neglect law, and bans people convicted of animal fighting and cruelty from owning animals.
- SB 5065 Traveling Animal Acts: Prohibits the use of elephants, bears, nonhuman primates, and big cats by traveling animal acts and circuses.
- HB 1046 Rescue of Vulnerable People and Pets from Motor Vehicles: Provides immunity from civil liability for damage arising from the rescue of vulnerable persons or domestic animals from motor vehicles.
- HB 1201 Identifying Accommodations in Emergency & Extreme Weather Events: Requires towns, cities, and counties to identify accommodations that allow sheltering with or near companion animals in emergency or extreme weather events when they update their local emergency management plans and provide info on their websites.
You can see how your representatives voted on these bills here.
Governor Ferguson signed HB 1149 into law on May 12, marking a significant moment in animal welfare legislation in Washington State. Our Advocacy Team was present, along with bill sponsors Rep. Hackney and Rep. Low; co-sponsors Rep. Farivar and Sen. Lovick; Sarah Hock of Joint Animal Services/WaFed, and the WA State Gambling Commission.
This incredible achievement represents years of work and tremendous progress for animals in Washington State. Thank you for your continued support and for lending your voice for animals.
We will continue fighting for animals everywhere and look forward to future legislative sessions.
