Project Summary

Initiative Petition 28 is a proposed ballot initiative that would remove exemptions from Oregon’s animal cruelty laws, which currently allow animals to be injured, killed, and impregnated if done for purposes such as slaughter, hunting, fishing, experimentation, and entertainment. Removing these exemptions criminalizes injuring, killing, and breeding animals statewide. More detailed information can be found on our website: https://www.yesonip28.org/. 

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The project's primary goal is to qualify for the ballot for the 2026 general election. We will achieve this goal by collecting the required number of signatures by the July 2nd, 2026 deadline. 

Taking our inspiration from the Women’s Suffrage Movement, which used the ballot initiative process to force the public to vote on suffrage, as well as the Slavery Abolition Movement, during which William Lloyd Garrison’s advocacy for the immediate emancipation of enslaved people helped to achieve the end of slavery in his lifetime, our position is that a ballot initiative calling for the immediate end to animal exploitation will help accelerate the animal liberation movement.

In addition to the 3 million voters who’d be asked directly to vote on animal liberation, getting on the ballot will generate conversations far beyond Oregon’s borders. While setting a bold new precedent for what is possible in the minds of the public, this initiative can also motivate current and aspiring activists to be bold and honest in their advocacy. 

How will this funding be used?

Funding will be used largely for hourly wages and taxes for paid petitioners, which comprise a large part of our operating costs. Because administrative duties of the campaign have been supported entirely by volunteers, all funds go towards hourly wages and taxes for paid petitioners, and the marginal costs associated with petitioning supplies (paper, clipboards, ink, etc.). We have quickly become one of the largest employers of animal rights advocates in Oregon, with nearly 30 paid petitioners interacting daily with Oregonians about our initiative, and funding will allow us to continue these efforts.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

The Yes On IP28 team has grown to over 80 activists including 30 paid petitioners, and among these members we have a wealth of prior experience in animal advocacy, petition circulating, and research methods. 

As a predecessor to this campaign, two similar initiatives were launched. The first was launched in 2020, known as IP13, which was resubmitted in 2022 and became IP3. These initiatives had largely the same intentions, but did not qualify for the ballot. The initial campaign started with a single activist, and over the two campaigns we have continued to grow our team. With the help of a larger team and funding for paid petitioners, we resubmitted our initiative in 2024 for the 2026 election cycle, so that we could have two years to collect signatures. Since beginning signature collection in July of 2024, we have collected over 20,000 signatures and have until July of 2026 to collect over 117,000.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Possible causes of failure would include insufficient funding to continue to pay petitioners. Another possible cause of failure could be having too few volunteers who are able to help reduce the operating costs of our campaign. If the project fails, we will still have valuable data to inform future ballot initiatives and will have cultivated a stronger network of animal advocates in Oregon.

What other funding are you or your project getting?

Yes On IP28 has been able to cover current operating costs by using funding retained from our 2024 cycle, which originated from donations given by the Karuna Foundation, Direct Action Everywhere, and private individuals, as well as additional donations since our 2026 campaign launch. We have so far received $135,000 in donations.