Nonpartisan slate includes candidates for federal, state and local offices who demonstrate a commitment to protecting animals

WASHINGTON (October 28, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, announced today that it has endorsed 742 candidates running for federal, state and local offices on Election Day. The nonpartisan slate of endorsements from the nation’s leading political animal advocacy organization reflects the organization’s commitment to helping voters find candidates and initiatives who will stand up for animals and advance humane public policies once elected.

The complete list of endorsements by state is available at humaneaction.org/endorsements.

Humane World Action Fund evaluates candidates on their records and positions on animal protection issues, regardless of political party. Its endorsed candidates include Republicans, Democrats and independents running for offices ranging from seats in city councils and state legislatures to governorships and the U.S. Congress.

“Up and down the ballot, your vote can reflect a choice about the future of animal protection,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “As voters consider both their pocketbooks and their values in the voting booth, they are thinking about the cost of food and veterinary care for their pets, questioning the use of taxpayer dollars for animal research without assurances of scientific value, and supporting more humane treatment of animals raised for food. Animals cannot vote, but we can. We urge voters across the country to elect candidates who will advance and defend animal-friendly policies and help build a more humane world for all of us.”

Animal welfare is a kitchen-table issue

The stakes this Election Day extend beyond traditional animal protection policy. For the estimated 95 million U.S. households that include animals, decisions about housing, food costs, veterinary care, how to prepare for emergencies and other everyday concerns can determine whether families are able to keep and care for the animals they love. Candidates who understand those connections can advance policies that strengthen both animal welfare and community well-being. Read more about the affordability crisis and animal welfare on the Humane World Action Fund blog.

Animal champions produce results

Across the country, animal champions in elected office are turning shared values into meaningful protections. In just the past two years, for example:

  • Nearly one-third of U.S. House members (129) and close to half of U.S. senators (49) earned scores of 100 or higher in the latest Humane World Action Fund Humane Scorecard. With many members of the 119th Congress expected to return next year, voters should evaluate their records on those animal protection measures likely to be reintroduced in 2027.
  • 182 House members and 32 senators in the U.S. Congress signed letters to committee leadership in opposition to efforts to undermine California’s Proposition 12.
  • Iowa became the final state in the U.S. to make intentional animal torture a felony on the first offense.
  • Bipartisan efforts to stop the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline reached a major milestone: 10 individual states and more than 530 localities across 31 states now prohibit the retail sale of puppies in pet stores.
  • California prohibited the unnecessary declawing of cats.
  • Colorado and Pennsylvania join other states, like Maryland, New Jersey and New York, in giving dogs and cats used in research or testing the opportunity to be adopted after the experiments on them have ended.
  • Florida made it a felony to tether and abandon a dog during a declared natural disaster or evacuation.
  • Illinois and New York expanded protections for wild animals exploited in circuses and traveling acts.
  • Maryland created new opportunities for retailers, manufacturers, shelters and pet food pantries to work together to redirect pet supplies to animals in need, helping families care for and remain with their pets.
  • Michigan enacted bipartisan laws creating a specialty license plate to support spay-and-neuter services and strengthening procedures for the care and handling of animals seized in cruelty and neglect cases.
  • New York City lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to phase out horse-drawn carriage operations, demonstrating how local elected officials can address long-standing animal welfare concerns.
  • Washington enacted legislation expanding access to veterinary telemedicine and now prohibits the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals—policies that advance both access to care and humane science.

These victories span regions, political parties and levels of government. Together, they show that electing humane candidates can prevent cruelty, keep pets with the families who love them, strengthen enforcement, modernize scientific research and deliver lasting change for animals.

Humane World Action Fund encourages voters to review its full list of endorsed candidates and initiatives, learn where candidates stand on animal protection issues and make a plan to vote in this election.

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

Paid for by Humane World Action Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Humane World Action Fund, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.