WASHINGTON (April 27, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislation Fund, announced its endorsement of Jimmy Panetta for California’s 19th Congressional District. As the nation’s leading political animal advocacy organization, Humane World Action Fund endorses candidates based on their demonstrated commitment to animal protection, evaluating each candidate only on their record and positions on animal welfare issues.

“Jimmy Panetta reflects the value Americans place on our companion animals. He's a lead sponsor of the Puppy Protection Act to ensure dogs and puppies have better protections and care,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “His actions in Congress helped advance humane policies and protect animals from cruelty and exploitation. We urge voters in California’s 19th Congressional District to reelect Jimmy Panetta to Congress.”

Pro-animal actions taken by Rep. Panetta in the 119th Congress include:

  • Co-leading the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 2253) to address serious gaps in welfare standards for tens of thousands of breeding dogs and puppies at large-scale breeding operations licensed by the USDA.
  • Voting against a floor amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838) to exempt defense-related activities from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and prohibit the designation of military and certain National Guard lands as critical habitats under the Endangered Species Act, exposing endangered and threatened species to unrestricted harm and possible extinction.
  • Co-signing appropriations requests seeking provisions in the fiscal year 2026 funding bill for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Horse Protection Act (HPA), Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to promote alternatives to animal testing, to provide shelter for domestic violence survivors with pets through the Protecting Animals With Shelter (PAWS) grant program, and to assist veterinarians working in designated veterinary shortage areas.
  • Voting against the misleadingly named Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which would force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the lower 48 states and block judicial review of the action, leaving wolves vulnerable to an onslaught of trophy hunting and recreational trapping.

View a running list of 2026 endorsements made by Humane World Action Fund at humaneaction.org/endorsements.

Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo; ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475