Loving and caring for animals gives us dogs’ joyful barks and cats’ rumbling purrs. It’s those irresistible moments that make life with pets so rewarding. And while government offices may seem like they exist in a separate world from the joy we get from our animals, decisions made within those offices can change life forever for our furry friends. That’s why the Best Friends advocacy and legislation teams, alongside lawmakers and thousands of local advocates, work tirelessly on legislation that will support pets rather than harm them. Here are some of the wins from the past year that will have a lasting and positive impact on animals around the country.