Action Alerts

Advocacy organizations represent the views of like minded individuals when it comes to supporting or opposing bills but the most powerful voice still belongs to the individual constituent.

Your voice does matter in this process, and the only way to make a difference is by using it to advocate for the issues you care about.

Current OAA Action Alerts are found here. We encourage Ohio residents to review these Action Alerts and take the specific action(s) requested in each (contacting officials, sharing on social media, etc.). We have included recommended letters to make it easy to take action.

2023 – 2024 Federal Legislation and Regulations

Find your Members of Congress here for Federal Issues.

  • Support Non-Animal Testing Alternatives in Research – The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 (H.R. 7248) would create a pathway to support non-animal testing methods during preclinical drug development. This bill builds on previous legislation by providing clarity and structure for alternative methods so that they can be utilized by drug developers and accepted by the FDA.
  • End Vicious Mink Fur Farms – The Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act (Mink VIRUS Act, H.R. 3783) would phase out mink farming in the US over one year and establish a grant program to reimburse mink farmers for the full value of their farm so that they’re able to transition to another industry.
  • Protect Horses from Meat Slaughter – Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act would prohibit the slaughter of horses in the United States for human consumption, as well as the export of live horses for the same purpose.
  • Protect Greyhounds from the Cruelties of Dog Racing – The Greyhound Protection Act prohibits the inhumane practice of greyhound racing in the United States. It also outlaws remote wagering on greyhound races simulcast from foreign countries, and prevents the shipment of greyhounds for the purpose of dog racing.
  • Support Unhoused People and Pets – The Providing for Unhoused People with Pets (PUPP) Act would establish a grant program for homeless shelters, so they can access the funds they need to support clients with pets. Meanwhile, the Pets Belong with Families Act will protect 1.2 million households who rely on public housing from discriminatory policies based on the breed of their pet.

2023 – 2024 State Legislation and Regulations

Find your Ohio Legislators here for Statewide Issues.

  • Act Now to Strengthen Protections for Farmed Animals in Ohio – Support AWI’s Recommendations on Ohio Livestock Care Standards – Deadline 9/27
  • End Needless Suffering from Animal Testing by Prohibiting the Sale of Cosmetics Tested on Animals – H.B. 495 would prohibit the sale of cosmetics tested on animals except in certain specified circumstances.
  • Revise Ohio’s Puppy Mill Law to Protect Dogs from Backyard Breeder Surgery – House Bill 539 would require the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture (ODA) to perform unannounced inspections of breeders and prevent breeders from performing surgeries.
  • Reinstate Municipal Authority Over Puppy Mill Regulation – House Bill 443 would once again allow municipalities to prohibit pet stores from buying puppy mill dogs. Current legislation has been ineffective at curbing unethical puppy mill practices while preventing local communities from taking action.
  • Require ODOT to Scan Microchips of Deceased Pets to inform Owners – This legislation would equip Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) road service crew members with scanners to determine whether deceased cats or dogs are microchipped, and if so notify the owner that their pet was found.
  • Oppose the “Right to Hunt” Amendment – The proposed “Right to Hunt” Amendment (HJR5) is deeply flawed, curtailing regulatory power under the ODNR and threatening Ohioans’ fundamental rights to bring ballot initiatives regarding hunting and wildlife preservation. Furthermore, the language used within seeks to provide constitutional protection to controversial and inhumane hunting methods such as trapping, baiting, and hounding. Act now to protect your rights and oppose HJR5 by writing to your representatives.
  • Support the Pet-Friendly Rental Act – This legislation would give tax breaks to landlords willing to accept pet-friendly policies in an effort to combat the escalating housing crisis in Ohio.
  • Urge Governor DeWine to Hold Puppy Mill Breeders Accountable – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has continuously failed to control the abusive puppy mill industry here in Ohio. Urge Governor DeWine to use his position to direct ODA to take strong enforcement action against licensed, high-volume dog breeders who fail to comply with minimum standards of care.
  • Wildlife Killing Contests – These contests are primitive and barbaric events, resulting in the senseless deaths of tens of thousands of wild animals. In Ohio, coyotes are targeted because the Ohio Division of Wildlife allows an open season on hunting them. Speak out for these innocent animals and demand a ban on wildlife killing contests.

Local Actions

  • Support the Ban on Fur Sales in Columbus – Currently, only thirteen cities have established a ban on the sale of fur products in the United States. Most fur is imported from places which lack animal welfare regulations, leading to horrible living conditions despite the prevalence of high-quality synthetic alternatives. Speak up and urge the Columbus City Council to prevent needless deaths by banning the sale of fur products.
  • School advocacy for alternatives to dissection – Tell your school or local school district about the Science Bank and encourage them to borrow humane science alternatives to replace animal dissection. It’s FREE to borrow – the only cost is for return shipping. Provide the following contact information to your school: thesciencebank.org

*Please note: new action alerts are added as laws are reintroduced in session throughout the current year. While we support 2023-24 humane legislation opportunities, the following outlines our 2020-2024 successes thanks to the help of your “actions”.

2024 Successes

Federal Legislation

  • H.R. 4389, the Migratory Birds of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act of 2023, was signed into law on April 24, 2024.  Once enacted, H.R. 4389 will increase the federal cost share of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program from 25% to 33% with a 1-2 public-to-private match – allowing more partners to participate in the program and thus generating a wider variety of projects and reducing barriers to conservation action.  

2022 Successes

Federal Legislation

  • H.R. 263, The Big Cat Public Safety Act, was signed by President Biden, after passing the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority in July, and passing the United States Senate 100-0 this fall.  This law will end the exploitation of tiger cubs in photo opportunities, and require private owners to register the animal(s) they already have, while forbidding them from breeding those animals or acquiring more.  
  • The U.S. Congress passed the 2023 federal omnibus appropriations bill, which included the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which disposes of the outdated requirement that drugs be tested on non-human animals.  This act is the biggest legislative win for animals in U.S. labs in decades – eliminating the mandate in place since 1938 that required FDA-approved drugs be tested on animals.

State Legislation

  • Ohio Senate Bill 164 was signed by the Governor 1/3/23 after it passed out of the House this past December. This bill, sponsored by Senators Jay Hottinger and Kenny Yuko, revises the law and penalties associated with companion animal cruelty; generally prohibits an animal shelter from destroying a domestic animal by the use of a gas chamber, and prohibits the remains of euthanized dogs and cats in pet food.  Animal cruelty is a heinous act against some of the most vulnerable members of society, and is linked to other crimes including domestic violence, child maltreatment, and child abuse. It was time to elevate the punishment for the torture and killing of innocent animals, and increase the chance of saving human lives.
  • Ohio Senate Bill 392 was signed by the Governor. This bill would authorizes ambulance transport of an injured police dog when the dog is injured in the line of duty.
  • Ohio S.J.R. 3 was defeated. This bill would have removed Ohioans constitutional right to vote on wildlife issues, and prioritize hunting and trapping as the preferred method of managing wildlife populations. By stopping this bill, Ohio’s democracy and the management of wildlife using science-based principles was protected. 

2020 Successes

State Legislation

  • H.B. 33 was signed by the Governor in a virtual ceremony on January 6, 2021, after passing the Senate 31-0. This bill requires cross-reporting of animal and human violence. By requiring social service professionals in the course of a home visit to contact humane agents when there are signs of animal abuse, H.B. 33 may save an animal’s life and help prevent the escalation of violence in a family. This bill becomes law 90 days after bill signing.
  • H.B. 67 passed out of the legislature and was signed by the Governor. It provides charitable spay-neuter services by veterinarians and is an innovative solution to advancing spay-neuter opportunities in Ohio by creating the Veterinarian Student Debt Assistance Program. The Program allows the State Veterinary Medical Licensing Board to repay all or part of an educational loan in return for performing charitable veterinarian services including free spay-neuter services that help accomplish the community goal of reducing the population of homeless animals in Ohio.
  • H.B. 24 was passed with an amendment to make bestiality and cockfighting a crime throughout Ohio. In 2016, Ohio passed laws making bestiality a misdemeanor and cockfighting a felony but a legislative mistake and a court’s decision led to bestiality remaining legal and cockfighting remaining a misdemeanor in eight Northern Ohio counties. This bill makes sexual activity with animals a second-degree misdemeanor, and animal fighting a felony statewide.
  • H.B. 553 was defeated. This was a reckless proposal that threatened to abolish the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s authority to regulate the hunting of coyotes. Science-based control of hunting, trapping and fishing in Ohio is crucial. Had this bill passed, it would have empowered politicians, rather than wildlife scientists at the Ohio DNR, to set the rules around hunting. Following strong push back, the Ohio House Energy and Natural Resources Committee tabled this bill. OAA and our constituents will remain vigilant if this bill reappears in the current legislative session.