Wildlife, In the News /
10 years ago, a trophy hunter killed Cecil. Here’s how we’re continuing to honor the lion’s legacy.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A decade ago, an American trophy hunter shot an African lion just outside Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park with an arrow. Like many hunters before and after him, he was seeking a trophy, a part of his kill that he could lawfully import back home to the United States. He could hang it on his wall, and have a story to tell, too. To his family. To his friends. To fellow hunters at Safari Club International conventions.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Our fight continues for animal protection via USDA and FDA funding bills
Right now, Congress is acting on its FY 2026 appropriations bills to provide funding and direction to federal agencies, and we are campaigning hard to help the countless millions of animals whose fate depends on this process.
Elections /
With its primary elections over, six ways to act to end animal cruelty in Virginia before November
On Tuesday, hundreds of thousands of Virginians headed to the polls and participated in the commonwealth’s primary elections. We at Humane World Action Fund, formerly known as the Humane Society Legislative Fund, were thrilled to see all our endorsed candidates advance to the general election. Now, we have less than 150 days to rally around pro-animal champions in Virginia.
Elections /
New Jersey primary election results promise good outcomes for animals
With New Jersey’s June 10 primary elections behind us, we are delighted to report that some familiar names will grace the general election ballot in November, and we cannot help but conclude that pro-animal voters helped to make the difference. In the pivotal New Jersey governor’s race, voters chose Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli to run in November’s gubernatorial election. Both have been supporters of our humane agenda during their careers.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
There’s a new chance to protect pangolins—and you can help
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Pangolins are sometimes called the “guardians of the forest” because they hold termite destruction at bay. Yet they are also the world’s most trafficked mammal, and so they bear the burden of being something of an ambassador species in the wider campaign against wildlife trafficking.
State Legislation /
The 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard is here – how did your representatives vote?
The 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard is now available online and highlights the progress being made on animal protection in the state. From leading the charge on tamping down on cockfighting to increasing access to veterinary care, sitting lawmakers took action to protect all of Maryland’s animals.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
We must dismantle the cruel puppy mill industry from every angle. Here’s how.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Macey Mullins bought a little Jack Russell terrier from a Petland store in Ohio in 2020. According to Mullins, when she purchased the dog, she was assured that the dog was healthy, had been examined by a veterinarian and had come from a responsible, small-scale breeder. Mullins named her new dog June. Shortly after they arrived home, June seemed constantly thirsty and was urinating excessively, Mullins said, and when she followed up with Petland, Petland claimed this was normal puppy behavior.
Equines, Wildlife, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation /
US President Trump’s budget would abandon wild horses and burros to a grim fate
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
It’s a long way from the arid desert habitat where a wild horse now named Smoke was born, but now Black Beauty Ranch, in Murchison, Texas, is home. The journey to our sanctuary has made all the difference for this handsome grey horse who has traveled all the areas of the sanctuary, bonding with the other mustangs. Smoke grazes peacefully watching over his friends who were once separated but are together again. No one can harm him here.
Animals in Research /
The tide may be turning for dogs and other animals in laboratories
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The things that make beagles wonderful companion animals are also the things that have led to their extensive use as laboratory test subjects: They are friendly, good-natured and easy to handle. U.S. laboratories use more than 40,000 of these gentle animals in experiments every year. But we are continuing to advocate for a fundamental shift that would result in a steep decline in the number of dogs and other animals in laboratories.
Animals in Research, In the News /
Good news! US keeps moving away from animal testing and research with major NIH announcement
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
It’s estimated that more than 50 million mice, rats, dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits and other animals endure experiments in U.S. laboratories each year. The sheer scale of this animal suffering is hard to imagine, but thanks to new commitments to phase out animal testing and prioritize replacing animals in research, things could soon drastically change.
Animals in Research, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
US Congress has a new chance to take meaningful stand for animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
There are leaders in the U.S. Congress stepping up to meet the need for enhanced Animal Welfare Act enforcement through the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act.
There’s a new chance to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act’s enforcement in the U.S., and such progress cannot come soon enough for animals currently languishing in facilities such as research laboratories, roadside zoos and puppy mills that aren’t meeting minimal standards of care.
