Budget Priorities
- Companion Animal Capital Fund (CACF). We’ve asked the Governor to increase her commitment to the fund to $10M annually.
- Animal Crimes Fund. $2.5 million in the FY27 State Budget to help offset the costs of caring for live evidence in animal crimes cases. The District Attorneys Association of the State of NY also supports the Fund. Click here for the NYSAPF memo.
Support
- Civil Remedy for Companion Animals (S3073-Gianaris/A2555-McDonald) Introduces a legal path to animal forfeiture that does not require charging offender with a criminal offense. In addition to our partners, the ASPCA and HSUS, this bill is also supported by the District Attorneys Association of the State of NY and the NYS Sheriffs Association. Click here for the NYSAPF memo.
- Make Animal Fighting an Enterprise Crime (S3158-Skoufis/A1816-Rosenthal) Includes animal fighting as a designated criminal act under the Penal Law’s Article 460 Enterprise Corruption statute and provides sentencing enhancements for certain animal fighting offenses. In addition to our partners, the ASPCA and HSUS, this bill is also supported by the District Attorneys Association of the State of NY and the NYS Sheriffs Association. Click here for the NYSAPF memo.
- Expand Insurance Discrimination Law to Cover Renter’s Insurance (A10272-Rosenthal/S9207-Gianaris. Bill passed in 2025, was vetoed by the Governor) Builds upon and improves 2021 law prohibiting such discrimination in the issuance of homeowner’s insurance policies. Click here for the NYSAPF memo.
- Animal Crimes Package
- Livescan Access for SPCA officers (S1664-Harckham/A3162-Rosenthal) Provides SPCA officers access to live scan fingerprinting technology that allows officers to complete arrests independently and without the assistance of other law enforcement personnel, saving valuable time and resources. This bill is also supported by the NYS Sheriffs Association. Click here for the NYSAPF memo.
- Weapons Inclusion Exception in Felony Cruelty Law (S2603-Addabbo/A3297-McDonald) Elevates the penalty for causing physical injury to companion animals through use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument while intending to cause serious physical injury.
- Appearance Ticket Exception (A.4740-Dinowitz/S.5715-Skoufis) Authorizes police/HLE officers or agents to forego the issuance of an appearance ticket and bring a suspect directly into custody if the person is charged with a crime for which the court may order the posting of a security pursuant to the agriculture and markets law.