Legislative Bill Tracker
Find information on each animal welfare bill we are tracking during the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session.
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Legislative Work
Pasado’s takes a holistic approach to ending animal cruelty through policy reform and grassroots advocacy.
Legislative Milestones
Through our advocacy efforts, Pasado’s Safe Haven has been a regional leader in driving important policy changes on behalf of animals. Below are the critical milestones that we, our partners, and our supporters helped make possible in Washington State.
1994: “Pasado’s Law”, 1st degree animal cruelty becomes felony
2004: Animal neglect considered cruelty
2004: Sexual assault of an animal becomes a crime
2005: Illegal to drag “downer cows” to slaughter
2009: Dog breeding standards strengthened
2011: Battery cages for hens phased out by 2024
2016: Anti dog tethering regulations law passed
2018: Dog and cat leasing banned
2019: Sale of eggs from battery cages to be phased out by 2024
2019: Animal fighting provisions strengthened
2019: Limitations created to restrict dog breed discrimination
2020: “Animal Cruelty Cleanup”, includes multiple revisions
2021: Retail pet sales ban passes with exemptions
2022: Plant-based meals for schools included in budget
2023: Restructuring of animal cruelty forfeiture provisions
2023: Retail pet sales and commercial dog breeding laws strengthened
2023-2024: Plant-based meals for schools included in budget
2024: Animal cruelty in the first degree becomes a ranked felony
2024: Octopus farming is banned
2024: Sale of cosmetics tested on animals is banned
2025: Animal fighting and cruelty laws strengthened
2025: The use of animals in traveling acts and circuses banned
Pasado's advocacy focus
Improving the System for Victims of Animal Cruelty
Pasado’s Safe Haven seeks to improve how the criminal justice system works for animals. We are making communities safer for everyone through investigations, rescue operations, training for judges and law enforcement, and advocacy for better animal cruelty laws. Recent successes include: • HB 1961: Ranking animal cruelty in the first degree. • HB 1234: Restructuring how animal seizure, forfeiture, and cost of care are handled in animal cruelty cases. • SB 6300: Comprehensive cleanup of outdated language in state animal cruelty laws. • HB 1919: Improving the prevention, response, and penalties related to animal fighting.
Addressing Large-Scale Systems of Animal Cruelty
We advocate for policies to address society’s misunderstanding of animal cruelty caused by corporate and industrial animal-related businesses. Changing people’s understanding of how large-scale systems exploit animals is complex. Impacting change happens through increasing awareness, creating stronger regulations, and promoting emerging humane alternatives. Recent successes include: • HB 1153: Prohibiting the development of octopus farming. • HB 1097: Banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. • HB 1424: Addressing the links between puppy mills, retail pet stores, and consumer protection. • HB 2049: Improving the animal welfare requirements related to egg production and sales.
Keeping Pets and People Together
We help keep pets with their families by advancing laws that create equitable access to pet services. By keeping pets and people together, we can reduce stray animals and the strain on overwhelmed shelters and rescues. Recent successes include: • HB 1012: Funding for pet friendly resources during extreme weather events. • HB 1026: Restricting dog bans and regulations based on breed. • SB 5004: Allowing animal care and control agencies and nonprofit humane societies to provide additional veterinary services to low-income households.
Increasing Access to Plant-Based Food
We promote the inclusion of plant-based foods in public institutions and cafeterias. By increasing access to plant-based food options, we hope to see a transition to a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food system. Recent successes include: • Proviso: $150K in 2023 state budget for plant-based school meals. • Proviso: $150K in 2024-2025 state budget for plant-based school meals. • HB 1238: Providing universal free school meals.