HOME | The Animal Rights Fo

1/5

The Animal Rights Foundation (ARF) is moving our field beyond counting how many animals were saved, toward asking whether every animal had a life worth living. Our work in rescue, advocacy and policy, grantmaking, and education all comes back to the ethics of how we care for animals, not just the statistics.

ABOUT ARF

Our Mission

SUPPORTING + PROTECTING ANIMALS

Learn about our work and how you can help protect animal welfare and animal rights.

SUPPORT

DONATE NOW

GET INVOLVED

Membership info coming soon.

CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM

#animalrightsfoundation

🚨 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE! 🚨

Yesterday, the team of our sister organization @nhhumane spent the day at the State House for Veto Day, and we are happy to share that the vetoes of HB 1766, SB 475, and SB 535 were upheld! Your voice matters. And yesterday, your voice was heard.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reach out to your House Representatives and Senators, send emails, make calls, and speak up for animals across New Hampshire.

🚨 ACT NOW: NEW HAMPSHIRE ANIMALS NEED YOU 🚨

This Wednesday, August 19th, New Hampshire legislators will have the opportunity to override Governor Kelly Ayotte’s vetoes of HB 1766, SB 475 & SB 535.

If two-thirds of legislators vote to override, these bills will become law.

Here’s how you can help: ⬇️

🐾 JOIN US Wednesday, August 19th at 9 AM at the side entrance of the State House (107 N Main Street, Concord) as legislators arrive for the day.

📣 CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE & STATE SENATOR and ask them to UPHOLD ALL THREE VETOES.

These bills would weaken protections for animals and make it harder to respond to abuse and neglect across the Granite State.

Our animals need us to speak up. Let’s make sure their voices are heard. ❤️🐾

Find your legislators:
State Senators: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx
House Representatives: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT: OUR WORK ISN'T DONE.

Throughout this legislative session, we asked you to speak up for New Hampshire's animals, and you did. You sent emails, made calls, contacted your representatives. It mattered.

Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed three bills that would weaken protections for animals and make it harder to respond to abuse and neglect.

Now, those vetoes are at risk.

On Wednesday, August 19, the NH House and Senate will have the opportunity to override the Governor's vetoes of HB 1766, SB 475 and SB 535. If two thirds of legislators in attendance vote to override, the bill becomes law.

We believe these bills would harm animals and the people working to protect them. We need your help to make sure these vetoes stand.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact your State Senator and House Representatives and ask them to:

Be present on August 19 (meet us at the STATE HOUSE IN CONCORD AT 9 AM!)

Support New Hampshire's animals

Uphold all three vetoes

THE BILLS:

HB 1766: Could remove trained humane professionals from cruelty investigations, limit safe placement options for animals, and push cases toward unnecessary criminalization instead of compassionate intervention.

SB 475: Includes harmful language from HB 1766 that could make it harder for trained professionals to respond to cruelty and neglect. While we support expanding foster options for pet vendors, including pregnant and nursing animals, animals in crisis deserve prompt, compassionate intervention.

SB 535: Would create a new "residential breeder" category for people breeding dogs or cats at home and transferring up to 50 animals a year, exempting them from state housing and care standards. Animals deserve meaningful protections no matter where they are bred.

Find your legislators:

State Senators: https://gc.nh.gov/senate/members/wml.aspx

House Representatives: https://gc.nh.gov/house/members/

We helped get these harmful bills vetoed. Now let's help make sure those vetoes stand.

Thank you for continuing to show up, speak up, and stand up for animals across New Hampshire.

The Animal Rights Foundation supports building stronger systems for animals in shelters. Humane World for Animals' deep look at America's shelter crisis — and the real-world solutions emerging — is essential reading for anyone who cares about what's happening right now.

ARF is for the people who love animals — and that includes helping you build a better relationship with your dog. The American Animal Hospital Association's expert guide to positive reinforcement training is a great place to start.

📢 Update on HB 1766!

We would like to thank Governor Ayotte for vetoing this bill, and for our supporters for making their voice heard. Below is her statement.

"It's important that we protect livestock owners' due process rights and ensure fair treatment under the law. However, HB 1766 would hinder the ability of local law enforcement, veterinarians, and animal welfare professionals to respond to cases involving neglect and abuse of animals. By centralizing power with the State, this bill would increase the size of state government, cost taxpayers more money, increase animals' pain and suffering, and lead to forced euthanasia of abused but otherwise healthy animals."

Helping pets & the people who love them for 126 years 💘

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}