WASHINGTON (Oct. 8, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislation Fund, is endorsing New York Governor Kathy Hochul for reelection. 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.

“Governor Kathy Hochul has clearly earned her endorsement for reelection,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “By signing pivotal animal protection legislation into law, she has helped to advance humane policies and protect animals from needless cruelty. We urge voters in New York to reelect Gov. Kathy Hochul.”

Since becoming governor in 2021, Hochul has strongly supported New York's animal shelters through the Companion Animal Capital Fund, which provides matching grants for important capital improvement projects. Since its inception, the fund has provided over $48M to shelters, including approximately $33 million in announced awards from 2022 through 2026.

Additionally, Governor Hochul has signed into law:

  • A 2023 bill (S.4099/A.2917) that ends unnecessary wildlife killing competitions, contests, tournaments and derbies. This historic law prohibits competitive events during which contestants compete to kill the most, the heaviest and the smallest animals for cash and prizes.
  • A pair of 2023 bills that protect horses in New York from being sold or transported for slaughter (S.2163B/A.5109A) and that increase the fines associated with selling disabled, sick, or injured horses, donkeys and mules (S.1677A/A.3552A).
  • The 2022 Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill (S.1130/A.4283) that prohibits the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores.
  • The 2022 New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act (S.4839B/A.5653B) that prevents the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals.
  • A 2021 animal welfare legislation package that includes a bill prohibiting insurance companies from raising, canceling or otherwise changing homeowner’s policy based solely on the breed of their dog (S.4254/A.4075), and a bill requiring veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to appropriate authorities for investigation (S.5023A/H.5823-A).

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