PRESS RELEASE: Octo-vists lobby Albany to prevent octopus farming from coming to New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Cappiello, Voters For Animal Rights
516-509-8631
Animal Protection and Environmental Groups Arm Legislators with Facts in Push for Statewide Ban
ALBANY, N.Y. — Eight arms are better than one when it comes to fighting industrial octopus farming, and on Tuesday, a wave of passionate octo-vists proved it. Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR) and Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, leading a coalition of animal rights and environmental organizations including Mercy For Animals, The Humane League, and Animal Legal Defense Fund, visited the New York State Capitol for a landmark Animal Lobby Day, meeting with legislators and staff to urge passage of legislation that would prohibit industrial octopus farming in the Empire State.
The octo-vists — volunteers of all ages, including babies making their very first tent-ative steps into activism — educated legislators throughout the Capitol.
“Octopuses are among the most cognitively sophisticated animals on the planet,” said Allie Taylor of Voters For Animal Rights. “They feel pain, they problem-solve, they play. The idea of cramming them into industrial farm tanks is something New York should refuse to sucker for. As a New York organization, Voters For Animal Rights is committed to making sure our state leads the way on animal protection and our octo-vists came to Albany Tuesday to make sure legislators don’t let this industry get its tentacles into our home state.”
A Coalition That Refuses to Be Ink-timidated
The Lobby Day was organized by two New York-based organizations leading the charge: Voters For Animal Rights, the state’s foremost political animal protection nonprofit, and Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, one of the nation’s most celebrated farm animal sanctuaries, headquartered in the Hudson Valley. Together, they assembled a broad coalition of animal protection advocates and environmental conservation groups united around a single message: New York must not allow industrial octopus farming to take hold in our state.
“We may have a short timeline to stop octopus farming before it can come to New York,” said Rachel McCrystal of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. “There is a lot of support and momentum to protect octopuses in the State and we are grateful to everyone who participated in this event.”
“Octopuses should be safeguarded in their natural habitats rather than subjected to cruel farming for food,” said Kathleen Schatzmann for Animal Legal Defense Fund. “Rearing these intelligent, complex creatures is cruel and creates serious environmental and public-health hazards. We thank Senator Martinez and Assembly Member Simone for their leadership in New York to introduce a bill that would prevent these animals from the suffering that animals in captivity endure.”
“Industrial octopus farming is a growing threat to our oceans,” said Brenna Anderst for The Humane League. “Instead of confining these complex and dynamic animals in commercial farms, New York has the opportunity to prevent an inherently inhumane practice before it starts. The Humane League applauds Senator Martinez and Assemblymember Simone for their compassion and leadership on this issue.”
“New York has a historic opportunity to prevent a new wave of factory farming cruelty before it starts,” said Holly Spainhower of Mercy For Animals. Octopuses are highly intelligent, curious, and solitary beings that belong in the wild, not in the cramped tanks of a commercial farm. Mercy For Animals is honored to stand alongside our partners to keep this unsustainable practice out of New York State.”
The delegations met with members of the State Legislature across both chambers, pressing for swift action. The coalition is urging passage of legislation that would make New York one of the first states in the nation to proactively prohibit industrial octopus farming — getting ahead of a new, but rapidly expanding industry that has drawn fierce criticism from scientists, ethicists, and animal protection advocates worldwide.
Why Octopuses? The Science Is Clear.
Octopuses are widely recognized by the scientific community as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress, and suffering. They are naturally solitary, wide-ranging animals with complex behavioral needs that make intensive confinement inherently cruel. Research has demonstrated their remarkable intelligence: they use tools, solve multi-step puzzles, and exhibit individual personalities.
Octopus farms would also raise serious environmental concerns, including chemical and waste runoff into marine ecosystems, reliance on wild-caught fish as feed, and the risk of escapees disrupting local biodiversity. New York’s coastline and fishing communities would be among those at risk.
“This industry hasn’t come to New York yet, and we intend to keep it that way,” said Taylor. “Once you learn what we know about octopuses, it’s impossible not to be moved. We’re asking legislators to listen to science. Octopuses are not a commodity. They’re curious, intelligent beings who deserve our protection.”
A Call to Action
Voters For Animal Rights, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, and their coalition partners are calling on the New York State Legislature to pass A8043B/S7421A without delay. New Yorkers who wish to support the campaign can contact their representatives, sign the coalition’s petition, and join upcoming actions at https://vfar.org/octopus/.
For interview requests or comments, please contact Julie Cappiello at julie@pyxisdigital.com.
ABOUT VOTERS FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS
Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building political power for animals through democratic engagement, voter education, and legislative advocacy across New York State.
ABOUT WOODSTOCK FARM SANCTUARY
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit animal rescue and forever home for nearly 300 rescued farmed animals on 135 acres in High Falls NY, in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Woodstock Sanctuary has sheltered over 3,000 animals over the past two decades. In addition to rescue and sanctuary work, Woodstock Sanctuary conducts advocacy and public education programming that fosters empathy and understanding of farmed animals and educates about animal agriculture.
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