FEND - How to Report Animal Abuse.

What is Animal Abuse and Cruelty?

Signs of animal abuse may vary depending on the situation. Witnessing someone beating, hurting, or harming an animal is an obvious telltale sign. Seeing a pet left in a hot car during the summer or chained up outside may be more signs. Or noticing if the animal’s coat is full of fleas and ticks or bones protruding from the body, which indicates neglect.

However, these are not the only signs. A fearful animal, one that seems to shrink away from people and situations, is powerful evidence of abuse. Be aware of owner behavior as well. Indications of possible abuse include if an owner seems aggressive or indifferent to an animal’s welfare. Watch how families react around each other since cruel owners may use pets as leverage against victims. Does the owner or family have pets for a very short time and then introduce a new pet? These are all signs of possible abuse and neglect.

Reporting Animal Cruelty (By State)



Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas
California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada
New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma
Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah
Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C.
West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming


Signs of abuse

Physical factors include:

  • A too-tight collar or open wounds indicating injury show a lack of veterinary service and may cause dangerous infection if left untreated.
  • Fleas or ticks covering the animal’s body. External parasites pose very real risks to animals.
  • Skin disorders, like rashes or bumps, can indicate untreated health issues.
  • Under or overweight to the point the animal is unable to move. Limping or obvious signs of discomfort when attempting to move.
  • Leaky, discharging body fluid. Eyes offer the more obvious sign of infection.
  • Dirty or matted coats prohibiting the animal’s movements. Dirty nails, ears, and noses are not considered normal.
  • Weakness or inability to breathe normally. Animals are prone to many diseases and this may indicate a major health problem.
  • Fear of humans. If an animal is scared of human contact, acting aggressive or cowering, including the owner.
  • Malnutrition leads to a higher chance of physical discomfort and health complications. Signs of food aggression and resource guarding in an animal may indicate a lack of consistent meals.

Environmental clues to be on the lookout for:

  • Animals locked in cages outside with little human contact. Animals may be kept in a very small area, unable to move around with multiple pets in the limited space. This is often a sign of backyard breeders, who may supply a pet store with animals for sale.
  • Hoarders, where the owner loses track of the number of animals in house and the house is often in disrepair, filled with feces and garbage.
  • Dirty or unclean food and water bowls. Brackish water breeds many parasites that may harm animals.
  • A lack of food or water near the animal.
  • Leaving animals outside in bad weather, such as high heat or freezing rain or snow.
  • Chained up for very long periods of time with little human contact. This includes using cement blocks and poles as weights around the neck, which may indicate dogfighting.
  • Animals left alone after a family moves or released right before moving. Oftentimes the animals are left to fight for scraps and cannot defend themselves when placed outside.

How to help

If you witness any evidence of mistreatment, please contact your local animal control facility or humane organization immediately. The officers help maintain the quality of life for animals and are backed by municipal, state, and federal statutes.

If possible, document the evidence for the officers and be willing to speak up in court should testimony be necessary. Take photographs, write down date/times, and remember that documentation may be used in a court of law. Neglectful and cruel owners may receive a felony charge if convicted.

Additionally, psychological research indicates a connection between animal and human abuse, so speaking up may save more than an animal’s life. The Animal Law and Legal Center notes 30 states that include animals under temporary protection orders.

And if you know of a dogfighting ring, please call the national Humane Society hotline at 1-877-847-4787. To report any puppy or kitten mill information, call 1-877-645-5847. Criminal behavior doesn’t stop when the match ends or a pet is carried out of a pet store.

Click on a state above to view contact information for local animal welfare resources. Not every state will have dedicated authorities, but the local sources are always a good place to start. Remember, if an animal is in immediate danger do not hesitate to call 911 for immediate assistance. Your actions may save a life.


Alabama [statutes]

Greater Birmingham Human Society Mobile SPCA

Alaska [statutes]

Anchorage Animal Care & Control Center Gastineau Humane Society Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Arizona [statutes]

Animal Crimes Investigations Unit, Maricopa County Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona Arizona Department of Agriculture (livestock) Arizona Humane Society (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe) Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control

Arkansas [statutes]

Fayetteville and Washington County Humane Society of the Ozarks Jonesboro Police Department Little Rock Animal Services

California [statutes]

Los Angeles Animal Services Oakland Animal Services Orange County Animal Care Services Orange County SPCA Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Sacramento Animal Care San Diego Humane Society San Jose Animal Services Santa Cruz Animal Shelter SPCA of Monterey County

Colorado [statutes]

Colorado Department of Agriculture Colorado Humane Society & SPCA Colorado LINK Project Crime Stoppers (statewide) Dumb Friends League Humane Society Pikes Peak Region La Plata County Humane Society Larimer Humane Society

Connecticut [statutes]

Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Animal Control Division

Delaware [statutes]

Delaware Office of Animal Welfare

Florida [statutes]

The State of Florida recommends contacting local animal control and sheriff departments. For local enforcement numbers, please visit http://arff.org/report-abuse.

Florida Keys SPCA Humane Society of Broward County

Georgia [statutes]

Note:  The State of Georgia requests all information be given to local animal control and sheriff departments.

Georgia Department of Agriculture

Hawaii [statutes]

Hawaiian Humane Society Hawaii Island Humane Society Kauai Humane Society Maui Humane Society

Idaho [statutes]

Bingham County Humane Society Idaho Humane Society (Ada County)

Illinois [statutes]

Animal Welfare League Illinois Humane Society The Anti-Cruelty Society

Indiana [statutes]

Indiana Alliance of Animal Control and Welfare Organizations

Iowa [statutes]

Animal Rescue League of Iowa Johnson County Human Society

Kansas [statutes]

Lawrence Human Society Topeka Animal Control

Kentucky [statutes]

For local enforcement numbers, please visit http://kaco.org/en/county-information/county-websites.aspx.

Owensboro Humane Society

Louisiana [statutes]

Cenla Alliance for Animal (CAFA) Grace’s Home Louisiana Animal Welfare Commission Louisiana SPCA

Maine [statutes]

For local enforcement numbers, please visit http://www.maine.gov/local.

Animal Welfare Office

Maryland [statutes]

For local enforcement numbers, please visit http://www.dpscs.maryland.gov/onlineservs/sor/local_law_enforcement_agencies.shtml.

SPCA/Humane Society of Saint George’s County

Massachusetts [statutes]

Animal Rescue League Boston Law Enforcement Division MSPCA-Angell

Michigan [statutes]

For local enforcement numbers, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/Licensed_Animal_Shelter_List_By_County_Report_222946_7.pdf.

Humane Society of Huron Valley Michigan Humane Society

Minnesota [statutes]

Animal Humane Society

Mississippi [statutes]

Mississippi Animal Rescue League

Missouri [statutes]

To reach local authorities call 314-647-4400.

Attorney General Citizens' Service Bureau (St. Louis) Humane Society of Missouri

Montana [statutes]

Lewis and Clark Humane Society Musselshell County Sheriff Department
  • Phone: 406-323-1402

Nebraska [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Nebraska Humane Society (Omaha and Sarpy County)

Nevada [statutes]

Please file a report with local law enforcement officers. Note: Nevada judges may include pets in a temporary protection order for domestic violence.

Las Vegas Valley Humane Society Nevada Humane Society (Carson City, Reno) Washoe County

New Hampshire [statutes]

Note: all complaints must be filed with local law enforcement agencies.

Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

New Jersey [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Animal Protection League of New Jersey Bergen County SPCA Monmouth County SPCA New Jersey SPCA State of New Jersey

New Mexico [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Bernalillo County Animal Cruelty Task Force Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society

New York [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers. To report state dog fighting rings, please call 1-866-697-3444.

Central New York SPCA Hudson Valley SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Nassau County SPCA New York Police Department (NYPD) SPCA of Westchester Suffolk County SPCA

North Carolina [statutes]

Note: Per state request, please file a report with local law enforcement officers. You may also contact the Animal Welfare Department at 919-707-3250.

Outer Banks SPCA

North Dakota [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Fargo Community Service Officers Minot Animal Control

Ohio [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Capital Area Humane Society Fairfield Area Humane Society Franklin County Capital Area Humane Society Humane Society of Adams County Animal Shelter Humane Society of Delaware County Humane Society Serving Crawford County Licking County Humane Society PAWSibilities®, Humane Society of Greater Akron Seneca County Humane Society Toledo Area Humane Society Union County Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio

Oklahoma [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers. To view state-licensed shelters in your area, visit http://app.ag.ok.gov/petlicensing/.

Animal Welfare Home (Oklahoma City) Poteau Valley Humane Society Tulsa SPCA

Oregon [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Clackamas County Multnomah County Animal Services Oregon Humane Society Tillamook Animal Shelter

Pennsylvania [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

ACCT Philly Animal Friends Crawford County Humane Society Chester County SPCA Humane Society of Greene County Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania Lycoming County SPCA Pennsylvania SPCA Western Pennsylvania SPCA

Rhode Island [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

South Carolina [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Anderson County Humane Society The Humane Society (Columbia)

South Dakota [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Aberdeen Area Humane Society Humane Society of the Black Hills

Tennessee [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Humane Educational Society Union County Humane Society McMinn Regional Humane Society Sevier County Humane Society

Texas [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Austin Animal Services Houston SPCA Humane Society of North Texas Humane Society of North Texas San Antonio Humane Society Wilbarger Humane Society

Utah [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Humane Society of Utah

Vermont [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Vermont Humane Federation

Virginia [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Pulaski County Humane Society

Washington [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Blue Mountain Humane Society Whatcom Humane Society

Washington, D.C. [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Washington Humane Society

West Virginia [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Humane Society of Parkersburg Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association

Wisconsin [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Elmbrook Humane Society Inc Humane Society of Marathon County Iowa County Humane Society

Wyoming [statutes]

Note: Please file a report with local law enforcement officers.

Cheyenne Animal Shelter