From invasive fish to pet cremations: US advances animal-related legislation

Across the United States, lawmakers are introducing and updating legislation that could have far‑reaching implications for animal welfare, invasive species management and industry standards.

Maryland

The so-called Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act aims to address the invasive blue catfish population in Chesapeake Bay by facilitating a new market for the fish in the pet food industry. 

Under the proposal, US Congress would allocate $2 million (€1.7M) annually from 2027 to 2029 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to administer grants to pet food, animal feed and aquaculture feed producers to purchase blue catfish from watermen and seafood processors.

The measure aims to reduce the population of the invasive species while supporting infrastructure for a long-term market, including transportation, processing and manufacturing.

NOAA will track ecological and economic impacts, including effects on blue catfish populations, watermen and pet food manufacturers. The agency will report to Congress with findings, best practices and recommendations for applying the program to other invasive species.

“The MAWS Act is a creative, bipartisan solution that helps our watermen, protects native species and turns an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity,” says US Representative Jen Kiggans, one of the sponsors of the bill. “By building a new market for blue catfish in pet food, we can strengthen the Bay’s ecology and the seafood economy that depends on it.”

Pennsylvania

The Keystone State has introduced House Bill 1750 to regulate pet cremation services, aiming at aligning pet funerary practices with existing standards for humans. 

The new law would establish a specific offense for misrepresenting the disposal of animal remains and impose penalties that could impact a funeral director’s license.

Representative Brandon Markosek, the sponsor of the bill, says the legislation aims to prevent misconduct and rebuild public confidence. 

The proposal comes in response to charges filed by Attorney General Dave Sunday against a funeral home director in the Pittsburgh area accused of defrauding pet owners by failing to cremate or bury animals properly.

Vermont

Effective 1 July, the state of Vermont has implemented the prohibition of the importation and sale of pond slider turtles, including the popular red-eared slider. 

According to the regulation, pet stores in the Green Mountain State will no longer be able to sell pond sliders. 

Those species legally acquired as pets before July or lawfully acquired by a person with a pet dealer permit or commercial collection permit are exempt.

Pond sliders are native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico but have established populations worldwide due to released and escaped pets. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the red-eared slider as one of the world’s worst invasive species.

Arizona

Lawmakers in Arizona have approved an update to the state’s animal cruelty law, expanding protections for domestic and service animals and introducing stricter penalties for abuse and neglect.

The amended Section 13-2910 of the Arizona Revised Statutes outlines 16 specific acts constituting cruelty to animals, including failing to provide necessary medical attention, inflicting unnecessary physical injury or leaving pets unattended in vehicles under dangerous conditions.

New provisions also strengthen protections for working and service animals, increase fines for repeat offenders and establish felony classifications for severe offenses such as knowingly killing a domestic animal without legal cause or subjecting it to cruel mistreatment.