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In a 2026 year-end Q&A, ASPCA Government Relations senior vice president Nancy P. described the organization’s legislative priorities and highlighted New York City’s vote to phase out commercial horse-drawn carriages. The ASPCA said it also worked on pet-friendly housing, veterinary access and defending state farm-animal laws; its plans for 2027 include further work on veterinary care, housing and disaster response.
The ASPCA has outlined its 2026 animal-welfare legislative priorities in a year-end Q&A, identifying pet-friendly housing, expanded veterinary access and defense of state farm-animal protections as key areas of work. Nancy P., the organization’s senior vice president for Government Relations, also highlighted New York City’s October vote to eliminate commercial horse-drawn carriages as a major result of a long-running campaign.
In the ASPCA’s account, its housing work focused on reducing barriers to pet-friendly rentals, challenging what it described as discriminatory insurance practices and expanding crisis shelter options during disasters or extreme weather. The organization said these measures are intended to help keep pets with their families when housing or emergencies put that relationship at risk.
Its veterinary-care priorities included enabling remote appointments, allowing veterinary technicians to provide a wider range of treatment and changing licensing rules to increase access to services. The ASPCA also said it had successfully blocked congressional attacks on state animal-welfare laws so far in 2026. The Q&A does not identify the specific measures or provide a detailed account of the legislative actions involved.
Nancy P. described policy work as a process that combines research, advice from veterinarians and sheltering experts, coalition-building and public advocacy. She said the organization seeks laws that address harmful systems, while stressing that enforcement matters alongside passage. The ASPCA cited Goldie’s Act, which it is asking Congress to pass to strengthen accountability for government oversight of puppy mills, as one example of a federal policy effort.
Housing and Veterinary Access Lead Priorities
The priorities address practical pressures that can affect whether people can care for animals. Rental restrictions, insurance rules and inadequate emergency shelter can make it harder for families to remain housed with pets; limited veterinary capacity can also constrain access to care. The ASPCA’s agenda links those issues to changes in laws and regulations, rather than treating animal welfare solely as a matter of individual choices.
The organization’s emphasis on enforcement points to another part of the issue: a law may provide limited protection if oversight and accountability are weak. The ASPCA says Goldie’s Act is intended to address that concern in federal oversight of commercial breeders. These are the organization’s policy positions; the Q&A does not independently assess the effects of its campaigns or quantify outcomes.
For readers, the legislative focus matters because many of the policies described involve state and local rules that shape housing, veterinary services and emergency response. The organization says supporters can contact policymakers and join advocacy networks, but legislative outcomes depend on lawmakers and the relevant governments.
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From Horse Welfare to a City Ban
The carriage-horse vote was presented as the culmination of a long campaign. The ASPCA said it has advocated for horses since its founding in 1866, describing earlier efforts that included providing water, veterinary care and oversight, as well as developing equine emergency equipment. Nancy P. said the organization eventually concluded that incremental changes could not keep horses safe amid the city’s crowded streets.
According to the Q&A, a young tourist died during the summer, after which opposition to a ban weakened. The New York City Council voted in October to eliminate commercial horse-drawn carriages, with transitional support for drivers and retirement support for horses. The source does not provide the vote count, implementation schedule or further detail on the support arrangements.
The ASPCA also pointed to its ongoing federal effort on puppy-mill oversight and horse protection. It says a legal backstop is needed to prevent horses who lose their homes from being sent to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. These examples illustrate how its work spans local, state and federal policy, rather than a single legislative campaign.
Details Behind the Legislative Results
The Q&A is the ASPCA’s account of its own advocacy, and it does not provide a full list of bills, jurisdictions, votes or measurable results for each priority. The claim that congressional attacks on state animal-welfare laws were blocked is not accompanied by specifics about the proposals or how they were stopped.
The source also does not give a timeline for New York City’s carriage-ban implementation, explain the precise terms of driver transition assistance or horse retirement support, or say how the city will enforce the change. The circumstances surrounding the tourist’s death are not described in detail. The Q&A says the death affected opposition to the ban, but it does not establish further details about the incident.
For 2027, the ASPCA describes areas it expects to explore, not enacted policies or guaranteed legislative outcomes. Its plans and the fate of pending proposals may change as lawmakers set agendas.
Advocacy Plans for 2027
The ASPCA says it expects to focus more on expanding veterinary-care access in 2027, while continuing to address unmet housing needs and build networks of state-level advocates. It also plans to press for animal safety to be included in rescue operations and temporary shelters during wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves.
The organization invites supporters to join its District Captains, Regional Advocacy Field Team or Horse Action Team networks. These groups are intended to connect advocates with local campaigns, community outreach and equine-protection efforts. The next steps for the legislative agenda will depend on which bills are introduced, how lawmakers respond and whether proposed measures advance.
Key Questions
What were the ASPCA’s main legislative priorities in 2026?
The ASPCA identified pet-friendly housing and sheltering, expanded access to veterinary care, and defending state farm-animal protections as three top priorities.
What did New York City decide about horse-drawn carriages?
The Q&A says the City Council voted in October to eliminate commercial horse-drawn carriages, with transitional support for drivers and retirement support for horses. The article does not specify the implementation timeline.
What is Goldie’s Act?
As described by the ASPCA, Goldie’s Act is proposed federal legislation intended to require accountability in government oversight of puppy mills. The Q&A does not say that the measure has passed.
What does the ASPCA plan to focus on in 2027?
The organization says it will explore ways to expand veterinary access, continue work on housing and build animal-inclusive disaster rescue and temporary shelter responses.
How can supporters take part?
The ASPCA lists District Captains, its Regional Advocacy Field Team and Horse Action Team as ways to participate in advocacy and community campaigns.
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