Hundreds Rally at State House to Support Legislation That Protects Pets & Wildlife from Rodenticides

More than 250 concerned citizens flocked to the Massachusetts State House on July 24 to encourage legislators to support a bill aimed at phasing out the use of rodent poisons throughout the state, in order to protect raptors, pets, and other wildlife.

Mass Audubon and MSPCA-Angell coordinated hundreds of grassroots advocates from communities across the Commonwealth for its “Protect Animals from Rodenticides Lobby Day,” aimed at garnering political support for An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment (H.965/S.644). Sponsored by Sen. Michael Moore and Rep. Jim Hawkins, these bills would phase out the use of Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs), a group of particularly toxic poisons used for rodent control that can cause secondary (potentially fatal) poisoning when raptors, coyotes, foxes, and even household pets prey on a rodent that has ingested the poison.

“Seeing this many people and so many groups from different parts of the state supporting wildlife with one unified voice is incredibly inspiring,” said Sam Anderson, Mass Audubon’s Director of Legislative and Government Affairs. “Anyone who has witnessed the tragic and devastating impacts from non-targeted pets and wildlife ingesting rodenticides immediately understands the importance of supporting this bill, and we’re grateful to everyone for their help.”

Falco, a Red-tailed Hawk from the New England Wildlife Center (NEWC), was on hand to greet people at the State House yesterday along with two screech owls, who all put a face to the kinds of animals who are most impacted by feeding on potentially poisoned prey. A recent study tested samples from 43 Red-tailed Hawks in the northeastern U.S. and found rodenticides present in all of them, mainly due to the use of bait boxes containing anticoagulant rodenticides.

But it’s not just birds of prey that can be harmed, as MSCPCA-Angell treats dozens of dogs, cats, and other household pets for poisoning every year.

“In addition to wildlife, companion animals, such as dogs and cats, also suffer from anticoagulant poisoning. The MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Centers see approximately 50 cases each year. Property owners, when contracting with a pest control company, may not know how dangerous rodenticide is to their pets or their tenants,” stated Melissa Ekvall, MSPCA-Angell’s Senior Advocacy Outreach and Research Coordinator. “Because symptoms of rodenticide poisoning may develop over a few days, families with pets are sometimes unaware that a pet has ingested poison until it is almost too late. Veterinary care can cost thousands and take weeks of supportive care and medication, putting a significant financial and emotional strain on families. The alternative to this care is euthanasia, which is a heartbreaking result of a preventable situation.”

All of the rodenticide education and grassroots advocacy is working, proven by the nearly 300 people who made the Great Hall in the State House standing room only. The people clamoring to see the three raptors were wide-eyed and awestruck, giving advocates further resolve to lobby legislators on the raptors’ behalf.

These bills also have more than 100 co-sponsors thanks to 91 communities actively organizing to reduce the use of ARs, and 36 municipalities that have already reduced the use of ARs on public property. Additionally, 18 cities and towns either have filed or plan to file home rule petitions to request authority to restrict rodenticides on private property.

“People are clearly eager to see this happen, as evidenced by this overwhelming show of support,” said State Rep. Jim Hawkins, who first filed the bill at the request of a constituent. “This is a solvable problem that mitigates the rodent issue while also protecting our local animals and wildlife.”

By focusing on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices, environmental modifications can be strategically made that are just as effective as rodenticides without collateral damage to local wildlife. These strategies include sealing holes in roofs, basements, and walls to limit the spaces rodents can fit through, keeping pet food in sealed containers and ensuring garbage cans are securely fastened, and non-poisonous ways to target rodents like snap-traps, Rat-X, CO2 traps, and using rodent contraceptives that reduce their populations gradually over time.

“This bill retains a permitting process for the use of anticoagulant rodenticides during certain public health emergencies but also ensures we’re thinking more broadly about the environment,” said Sen. Michael Moore. “Aligning the regulations for all licensed applicators in the Commonwealth while providing additional protection for our already vulnerable wildlife just makes sense, and it’s why 35 communities and counting are moving toward safer rodent control alternatives.”

For more information on Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors program, visit massaudubon.org/rescueraptors.
 

ABOUT MSPCA-ANGELL
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell) is a national leader in animal welfare and veterinary medicine, with world-class hospitals, adoption centers, and community clinics, as well as community outreach, national animal transport, humane education, and disaster relief programs, plus law enforcement and advocacy divisions that better animal lives through law and legislation. Founded in 1868, the MSPCA-Angell is the second oldest humane society in the United States and positively impacts the lives of tens of thousands of animals each year. As a private, non-profit organization, the MSPCA-Angell does not receive any government funding, nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization, instead relying solely on the support and contributions from individuals who care about animals. Please visit mspca.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for more information.