Why It Matters

The ASPCA is lobbying as Congress is actively considering landmark legislation on puppy mill regulation, farm animal confinement standards, and animal cruelty enforcement. These are all core ASPCA priorities. The organization faces the challenge of converting rare bipartisan congressional momentum into concrete legislative victories while navigating entrenched agricultural industry opposition.

A legislative solution involves passage of bills like the Puppy Protection Act, the PIGS Act, and the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act—measures with demonstrated bipartisan support but facing resistance from agricultural and breeding industry interests.

By the Numbers

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported $84,000 in lobbying expenditures for the last quarter 2025 through an in-house disclosure. The ASPCA has maintained an active lobbying presence since 2003, filing 147 total disclosures and spending over $841,000 historically through its in-house team alone.

The ASPCA’s strategy now combines sustained in-house advocacy with targeted external consultants to concentrate firepower on high-priority bills while maintaining broad engagement across multiple animal welfare fronts.

The organization’s broader lobbying strategy has evolved through external partnerships:

The Agenda

The ASPCA’s Q4 2025 lobbying focuses on comprehensive animal welfare priorities:

  • Puppy Mill Regulation: The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 to establish stricter care standards for commercial breeding facilities
  • Animal Cruelty Enforcement: The Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2025 to create a dedicated DOJ section for federal animal crimes
  • Farm Animal Protection: The PIGS Act of 2025 prohibiting gestation crate confinement for pregnant pigs
  • Research Ethics: The SPARE Act to prohibit federal animal testing and Violet’s Law requiring adoption programs for research animals
  • Unhoused Pet Support: The PUPP Act of 2025 providing shelter grants to accommodate pets of unhoused individuals

Broader Context

Congress is experiencing unprecedented momentum on animal welfare. Bipartisan coalitions have expanded with new caucuses like the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus joining the established Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.

Key lawmakers including Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are pushing forward animal welfare bills.

Federal agencies are shifting policy: The FDA announced it would phase out mandatory animal testing for certain drug applications, and the NIH launched an $87 million non-animal testing project.

However, challenges remain. Shelters operate at or above 100% capacity, and the agriculture industry continues fighting state animal confinement laws.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively advancing ASPCA priority legislation. Key lawmakers are vocal supporters: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced multiple bills, Senators Kennedy and Blumenthal reintroduced the Better CARE for Animals Act, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) introduced the SPARE Act.

Recent congressional hearings examined federally funded animal research ethics and biosecurity. The bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus has expanded with dedicated focus areas.

Competitive Landscape

The ASPCA operates within a crowded animal welfare advocacy space. The American Kennel Club spent $30,000 in Q2 2025 on puppy mill regulation—directly competing on the same bills. Humane World Action Fund maintains consistent quarterly spending of $22,500 on animal testing and welfare issues. The Animal Legal Defense Fund spent $30,000 in Q1 2025 on broader animal protection advocacy.

The competitive landscape reveals multiple organizations pursuing the same legislative victories, suggesting both crowded advocacy terrain and broader congressional receptivity to animal welfare issues.

The Bottom Line

The ASPCA spent $84,000 on in-house lobbying in the last quarter, continuing its two-decade advocacy presence during an unusually active period for animal welfare legislation. With bipartisan congressional support for bills addressing puppy mills, animal cruelty enforcement, and farm animal welfare, the organization faces competition from groups like the American Kennel Club and Humane World Action Fund, though recent momentum suggests favorable legislative conditions for core mission priorities.

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