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.

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Volunteers give their time and their hearts to help animals—and we’re grateful

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Volunteers are the beating heart of the animal protection movement, and their engagement is a lifeline for animals. So much of the good we can accomplish flows directly from the selfless service of people who give their time, energy, expertise, labor or funds to the cause. It makes all the difference.

We see it every day.

Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation, State Legislation  /  

Victory for dogs and cats: 500 US localities have passed humane pet store laws

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Our fight to end puppy mill cruelty has reached a milestone well worth celebrating: 500 localities across the U.S. have banned the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet shops.

Animals in Research, In the News  /  

Relief! Last chimps freed from New Mexico laboratory have arrived at Chimp Haven sanctuary

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

After 50 years in a laboratory, Montessa is finally getting a chance to enjoy life to the fullest. The 51-year-old chimp was brought to Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico in 1975 when she was just a year old. She spent her first 30 years there being used in harmful biomedical research experiments.

But a few weeks ago, after years of delays, and half a century at Alamogordo, Montessa made the journey to her new home at Chimp Haven, a lush 200-acre sanctuary in Louisiana.

State Legislation  /  

Virginians: Before you cast your ballot, see how your representatives scored on animal protection

The 2025 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online and demonstrates the commonwealth’s commitment to combatting animal testing. From nonhuman primates to dogs, state lawmakers passed critical bills defending the most vulnerable animals in our care.

Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation  /  

New Horrible Hundred report exposes US puppy mills when federal inspections could dwindle

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

At a property in Illinois buzzing with hundreds of flies, a water bucket stood empty in an enclosure where three puppies were living. When the bucket was finally refilled, a federal inspector observed the puppies as they desperately “climbed on top of each other trying to get water.” At another breeder’s property in Iowa, state inspectors found dogs who were limping and dogs with matted fur living in a “nearly overwhelming” odor of waste.

Animals in Research, In the News  /  

US Food and Drug Administration makes significant announcement about animal testing

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

In a sign of progress for animals used in laboratories, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a strong commitment to reduce animal testing and advance new, superior approaches that don’t use animals for pharmaceutical testing.

Animals in Research, In the News  /  

An end to animal testing at the EPA and other federal agencies: it couldn’t come soon enough

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Farm Animals, Federal Legislation, State Legislation  /  

Senators resurrect a dangerous pro-cruelty, special favors bill for Big Pork

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Those who are determined to defend the cruelties of factory farming are never at a loss when it comes to sowing chaos and distortion on the subject, especially in the U.S. Congress.

Equines  /  

USDA drags its feet on giving horses protection against cruel soring

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

In a blow to horses, the Trump administration has postponed implementation of a long-overdue federal rule to combat horse soring—the deliberate infliction of pain on horses' legs and hooves to force an exaggerated gait—delaying enforcement until February 2026 and opening the door to even further setbacks.

Federal Legislation  /  

Coming together across political lines for animals

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

We are united by our singular vision to end animal cruelty and create a humane world. So, when it comes to our federal policy work in the United States, it is essential to invite everyone to join this hopeful cause, regardless of their other political beliefs. We believe that a love of animals can bring much-needed nonpartisan solidarity.

Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation  /  

Let's pass the Puppy Protection Act to end the cycle of cruelty in puppy mills

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Imagine a dog forced to stand for hours in the hot sun without shelter, or a puppy suffering from a condition so severe that one eye was sealed shut with a crusted-over discharge. Or a puppy who lost a leg after another dog attacked him. Or puppies who died in a cold, barren cage. Who would make the case that we should not take steps to protect animals from such neglect and suffering?