Results
| Title |
Author |
Citation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAQs on Emotional Support Animals | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formally withdrew two key guidance documents that housing providers relied upon to evaluate requests for service and assistance animals. These documents were FHEO Notice 2013-01 ("Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing") and FHEO Notice 2020-01 ("Assessing a Person's Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act"). According to HUD's memorandum, the withdrawal was part of a deregulatory initiative aimed at reducing compliance burdens and ensuring that guidance does not exceed what federal statutes actually require. The agency stated that the withdrawn guidance "should not be enforced or otherwise relied upon by the Department or stakeholders" and has removed these documents from the HUD.gov website. This Q and A part of this document are for historical purposes only and do not reflect current federal interpretation of federal law. |
| Summary of 2008 Animal-Related Ballot Measures | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This overview provides a summary of the animal-related ballots measures presented to voters in 2008. Links to the text of the ballot measures are provided. |
| Domestic Violence and Pets: List of States that Include Pets in Protection Orders | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | This document lists the states that include pets in domestic violence protection orders with links to the actual statutes. As of 2026, 42 states as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico have enacted such laws. Also, see the Map of Pets in Domestic Violence Orders linked below. |
| Detailed Discussion of Utah Great Ape Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | The following article discusses Great Ape law in Utah.Utah does not have a law dealing with great apes, but addresses use and possession through regulations issued under the authority of the state’s Wildlife Resources Code. Additionally, only some great apes are protected under Utah’s anti-cruelty laws. The law prohibits both affirmative acts of cruelty such as torture or unjustified killing, and the failure to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody. Exceptions to the definition of “animal” exclude those animals owned or kept by a AZAA accredited zoological park or temporarily in the state as part of a circus or traveling exhibitor licensed by the USDA. |
| Overview of 2008 State Animal Law Changes | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This overview examines the changes to state animal laws in 2008 as well as the animal-related ballot proposals that appeared in the November election. |
| Eagle Permits Issued Under 50 C.F.R. 22 et seq | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
The Federal Regulations (50 C.F.R. 22 et seq) govern the issuance of permits to take bald or golden eagles. Only under these proscribed circumstances will permits be issued to take any eagles. Included among these categories are Indian religious permits, scientific permits, falconry permit, and permits to take inactive golden eagle nests by mining operators (links pdf. versions of these applications are provided in this document). |
| Overview of State Cruelty Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This summary describes some of the basic features of state cruelty laws with links to further discussions. |
| Table of Significant Animal-related Cases from 2009 | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This table gives summaries of some of the significant animal-related cases from 2009. Links are provided to the actual text of the cases that are summarized. |
| Animal-Related Laws Passed or Amended in 2009 | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides an overview of animal-related laws passed and/or amendment in 2009. |
| Overview of 2010 Ballot Proposals | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides a summary of the ballot proposals and legislative-referred constitutional amendments from 2010. |