Laws, Legal Matters, & Regulations

March 1, 2012

Humane Law Forum: Worth the Risk

Got people lining up to volunteer for your organization? They’ll bring a ton of great assistance, but they may also present some liability risks. Fear not—they’re risks you can manage with the right approach.

November 1, 2011

Humane Law Forum: Bully Breeds and Leery Landlords

Our legal expert takes a detailed look at how breed discrimination, particularly in rental housing, affects your shelter.

November 1, 2011

Show Me the Money: Cat Lady Takes on IRS—and Wins

A U.S. Tax Court decision emphasizes the right of animal welfare volunteers, especially fosterers, to deduct expenses.

July 1, 2011

Humane Law Forum: After the Adoption

What happens when an enraged adopter tells you that the dog who came to you as a stray, and behaved himself so beautifully at the shelter, has bitten a neighbor without provocation? Is your shelter legally responsible?

March 1, 2011

Humane Law Forum: Avoiding Adopter Roulette

Does a shelter have the right to reclaim an adopted animal if the adopter violates the adoption agreement by giving the animal away? Our expert sorts through the basics of contract law to answer this question.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act: How It Affects Shelters

Many animal care and control agencies are called upon to assist birds as part of their mission to prevent animal suffering. The need for a Federal permit to handle migratory birds has not been widely known; as a result, many agencies are inadvertently operating outside of the law.

Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) and its Effect on Rescue Organizations and Animal Shelters

What the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) legislation, aiming to strengthen existing law covering commercial breeding facilities, means for animals and for you.

May 9, 2012

Animal Care Expo 2011 Presentation - Obtaining Tax Exemption for Your Rescue

Download the slides, sample documents and more from our 2011 workshop on obtaining 501(c)(3) status.

October 6, 2006

HSUS Statement on Dangerous Dogs and Breed-Specific Legislation

The HSUS opposes legislation aimed at eradicating or strictly regulating dogs based solely on their breed for a number of reasons.

March 1, 2005

Model Dangerous Dog Legislation

Grappling with dangerous dog problems? This document, created by companion animal and legislative experts at The HSUS, provides an excellent outline for non-breed-specific dangerous dog law.

A Guide to Using Local Ordinances to Stop Puppy Mills

This downloadable guide is designed to help you work for the passage of local laws in your own community that will improve the lives of dogs in puppy mills.

Spay/Neuter Legislation by State

This chart provides state-by-state information about spay/neuter laws, including requirements for the spay/neuter of owned and pre-adoption animals, and statewide spay/neuter funding efforts.

May 9, 2012

Center for Nonprofit Management - Nonprofit Start-up Checklist

Use this handy checklist to make sure you've covered all the steps to getting a nonprofit group started.

May 9, 2012

Free Management Library - How to Start a Nonprofit Organization

The Free Management Library contains a wealth of resources for starting your nonprofit group