The ASPCA Government Relations team works closely with lawmakers and citizen advocates to secure the strongest possible protections for animals through the passage of humane legislation and regulations. The team worked hard this year to help advance protections in a variety of ways. To help us better understand this work, Nancy P. offers her perspective on the 2026 legislative landscape, exclusively for Guardian members.

Nancy is senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations, overseeing the ASPCA’s legislative and regulatory policy efforts at the local, state and federal government levels. Nancy has been with the ASPCA for 15 years.

How does the ASPCA’s policy work help animals across the country?

At the ASPCA, we study the problems animals face, work closely with our veterinarians and sheltering experts to craft legal solutions, and then ask our supporters to join us in advocating for reforms that will ensure animal protection.

When we work to pass laws, we press for the changes that will make the greatest difference for animals by preventing cruelty. Laws reflect our values, and our goal is to intervene in harmful systems and processes so we can end cycles of abuse. That is why our priorities are to drive lasting, systemic change for dogs, cats, horses and farm animals.

We know laws that are not enforced are almost worse than having no laws at all. That’s why we are working with members of Congress to pass Goldie’s Act to mandate accountability in the government’s oversight of puppy mills and deter commercial breeders from violating the law. When horses lose their homes, we need a legal backstop to prevent them from being sent to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. When families with pets need to find a new home, pet-friendly housing laws offer a lifeline and ensure that pets and their people can stay together.

What have been the ASPCA’s top three legislative priorities in 2026?

Three of our top priorities this year were:

• Improving housing and sheltering policies to keep pets and families together, including reducing barriers to pet-friendly rentals, tackling discriminatory insurance practices, and increasing crisis sheltering options during times of disaster or extreme weather.
• Increasing options for veterinary care by enabling remote appointments, expanding the treatment veterinary technicians can provide and adjusting veterinary license laws to enhance services.
• Preventing hostile efforts to roll back hard-won victories for farm animals. This year to date, we have successfully blocked congressional attacks on state animal welfare laws.

Did you encounter any surprises this year?

Sometimes the timing of a victory is surprising, but success rarely is. Meaningful policy change often requires years of research, coalition-building and advocacy. While the moment a reform finally advances can depend on shifting political circumstances, that progress is only possible because of the long, thorough preparation that came before it.

The ASPCA has been advocating to protect horses since our founding in 1866, and now New York City is finally taking a stand against the harms of the carriage horse industry by passing a long-overdue ban.

For more than a century, we have worked to reduce horses' suffering — offering them water from fountains we built, providing veterinary care and oversight at various points in history, developing the first equine ambulance and operating table, and finally, once incremental change couldn’t keep horses safe amid the city’s crowded streets, asking for a prohibition.

When a young tourist died this summer, opposition to a ban fell apart, and in October the New York City Council cast the final vote to eliminate commercial horse-drawn carriages from the city while providing transitional support to drivers and retirement support for horses.

Are you anticipating shifts in ASPCA legislative priorities for 2027?

Our major shift will be to explore new ways to expand access to veterinary care. Housing needs continue to go unmet, so we are building powerful networks of leaders within many states who will join our legislative campaigns. And with ever-increasing threats from wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves, we will strive to ensure that rescue efforts and temporary shelters offer safety to animals as well as people.

How can ASPCA supporters help?

Supporters are the lifeblood of our work — providing resources and using the power of their voices when we need a push to get legislation over the finish line. Democracy depends on citizen engagement to produce change.

Explore our volunteer networks below and choose the best fit for you. By using a few free minutes of your week to communicate with policymakers on behalf of animals, you can make a real difference. We know everyone is busy, so we time your actions for when they can have the greatest impact. Let’s do this!

• • District Captains: Are you a leader in your community, or do you want to be? If you have a background in animal advocacy, public policy or other relevant experience, District Captain is the role for you. Together, we will bring legislative campaigns to life, helping animals in your area and beyond.
  • Regional Advocacy Field Team (RAFT): We will help you work behind the scenes to effectively lobby for animal-friendly legislation and engage your community in animal welfare policy work. RAFT is the perfect place to get started if you are new to animal advocacy.
  • Horse Action Team: Equine enthusiasts, this one’s for you. On the Horse Action Team, you will join a specialized group of advocates who collaborate with ASPCA equine welfare experts to help ban horse slaughter and protect our nation’s wild horses.