Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
House approves COVID relief package with historic funding commitments for animal-related pandemic prevention
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update (3/6/2021): The Senate has just passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and it includes almost all of the provisions we supported and pushed for that would benefit animals. Next, the House is expected to vote on the Senate-passed package, following which the bill heads to President Biden who has confirmed he will sign it.
Animals in Research, Federal Legislation /
PREPARED Act would ensure safety of animals in puppy mills, roadside zoos during disasters
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The devastation wrought by the recent deep freeze in Texas is a stark reminder of the urgent need for disaster planning that includes tens of thousands of animals in puppy mills, roadside zoos and other enterprises. Today, to address that need, Representatives Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Rodney Davis, R-Ill., joined by more than 115 cosponsors, have reintroduced a bill to mandate preparedness planning by entities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act.
Animals in Research /
Beauty industry trade group wins Spira Award for championing end to new cosmetics animal testing
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
'Pet' Tiger rescued from freezing San Antonio gets forever home at Black Beauty Ranch
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The freeze in Texas this month turned up a surprise for authorities in Bexar County as they scrambled to get people and pets out of harm’s way: a tiger cub wearing a harness and living as a “pet” outdoors. A neighbor had reported what sounded like a crying tiger. When they came upon Elsa—as the sheriff’s office named the cub after a character in the movie “Frozen”—she was freezing in the Arctic temperatures.
Equines, Wildlife /
Deb Haaland, President Biden’s pick for Interior Secretary, has a track record of fierce advocacy for animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update (3/15/2021): The Senate has voted to confirm Rep. Deb Haaland to lead the Department of Interior by a vote of 51-40.
Animals in Research, State Legislation /
Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey among states moving rapidly to end cosmetics testing
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Cosmetics animal testing is on its way out the world over and U.S. states are rapidly moving in the direction of that trend. Just this month lawmakers in three states—Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey—have moved decisively to end the sales of cosmetics tested on animals and/or prohibit cosmetics animal testing.
Virginia lawmakers last week voted to pass legislation to ban cosmetics animal testing and sales of animal-tested cosmetics. The bill now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam for his signature.
Wildlife /
As fur farms prepare to breed mink, global health bodies issue warning on high coronavirus risk
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Mink fur farms have emerged as hotspots for the coronavirus, with 11 nations in Europe, Canada and the United States reporting such infections and, in some cases, transmissions from animals to human workers. The infections have resulted in millions of animals, including pups, on fur farms being culled by gassing—a particularly cruel way to kill these semi-aquatic animals who can hold their breaths for long periods.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Puppy-selling pet stores like Petland have made consumers sick. HSUS/HSLF petition asks feds to require health risk warnings at outlets.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Investigation finds online wildlife killing contests are thriving during pandemic
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The Humane Society of the United States has helped make significant progress in ending wildlife killing contests, in which contestants massacre large numbers of coyotes, foxes, bobcats and other wild animals for cash prizes. Seven states now ban such contests and we are working with lawmakers in other states to end them. But the pandemic has added a new, insidious dimension to this cruelty, with more and more contests being held online, where they appear to be thriving.
Wildlife, Action Alerts /
Undercover investigation lays bare extreme cruelty in Indiana and Texas wildlife killing contests. Foxes, bobcats, coyotes among animals blasted with assault rifles
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
It is a bloody scene at the Texas weigh-in of the “De Leon Pharmacy and Sporting Goods’ Varmint Hunt #1” on a cold January morning this year. Participants in this wildlife killing contest are unloading the bodies of bobcats, grey foxes, coyotes and raccoons from their trucks, which are expensively outfitted for the killing with raised decks, comfortable chairs and gun mounts. Sixty or so animals have been slaughtered over the contest’s 21-hour period, using assault rifles and other powerful weapons.
Wildlife /
At Dallas Safari Club convention, rhinos, elephants and bears are among hundreds of wild animals on offer for a thrill kill
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The annual Dallas Safari Club convention is a sickening display of the havoc American trophy hunters wreak year after year on the world’s wildlife, with their penchant for killing endangered and at-risk animals. The pandemic has forced the 2021 convention to move online this year, but that doesn’t mean it has become any less deadly.
Equines, Farm Animals, In the News /
Can Tom Vilsack be the Secretary of Agriculture we need?
Tom Vilsack’s confirmation hearing to be Secretary of Agriculture was today. If he is confirmed by the full Senate, it will mark the official launch of our 2021 animal welfare agenda with the agency he will lead for a second time. But for several months already, we’ve been advancing our priorities concerning the United States Department of Agriculture with President Biden’s transition team and members of Congress.
