Animals in Research /
Elderly chimp’s story shows the immense progress we’ve made for animals in labs
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Samantha was a little over a year old in 1976 when her world changed forever: The tiny chimpanzee was sold to a laboratory in Liberia by a resident of a nearby village. Like many of the other chimps at the lab, her parents had probably been killed by poachers so that Samantha could be sold. At the lab, researchers immediately began using Samantha in experiments.
Animals in Research, State Legislation /
Win! Illinois bans unnecessary toxicity tests on dogs and cats
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Dogs and cats in Illinois laboratories will be saved from painful and outdated toxicity testing thanks to a first-of-its-kind law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday. Under the new law, it won’t be permissible to use dogs and cats in Illinois laboratories in toxicity testing—tests that attempt to determine how a substance, ingredient or drug may affect human health—unless the test is explicitly deemed necessary by a federal agency.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
American Kennel Club opposed 450+ bills designed to help dogs
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Animals in Research, Equines, Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Senate Committee on Appropriations advances key animal protection measures
The Senate Committee on Appropriations acted on a raft of animal welfare measures late last week, building on the House committee’s earlier work and helping set the stage for positive results in the final package. In a few areas—specifically directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to phase out cosmetics testing on animals, providing increased funding for the U.S.
Animals in Research, In the News /
Major win: Canada just banned cosmetics animal testing and trade
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a massive step forward, Canada has just passed a ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of beauty products that rely on new animal test data to substantiate their safety, becoming the second North American country to do so; Mexico passed such a ban in 2021.
Farm Animals, Federal Legislation /
Experts gather on Capitol Hill to condemn dangerous EATS Act
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Farm Animals, Federal Legislation /
Breaking: Major threat to animal welfare emerges in U.S. Congress
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
This year has already been historic for animals, as the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of upholding the strongest farm animal protection law in the country, California’s Proposition 12. This landmark law, approved by voters via ballot measure in 2018, prohibits the in-state production and sale of products produced via the extreme confinement of mother pigs, egg-laying chickens and calves used for veal.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Federal Legislation /
Progress for horses and alternatives to animal testing in Agriculture funding bill
As in recent years, the annual congressional appropriations process continues to be a key path for us to seek progress for animals. The legislation funding programs within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration is a top priority because appropriations-focused lobbying and policymaking makes it possible to address a wide range of species and issues at one time and in one package.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Good news: Big Cat Public Safety Act rules are now a reality
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
For over a decade, we have been fighting hard to prevent the suffering and abuse of captive big cats, confronting a dangerous industry and the individuals who take advantage of these animals. And we celebrated in December of last year when President Biden signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law.
Equines, In the News /
In historic move, Churchill Downs suspends racing after 12 horses die at the track
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
On June 2, Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, suspended horse racing upon the recommendation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horses died in a span of a few weeks at the track.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
It’s time to put an end to mink farming
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY) has just introduced a bill that responds to growing concerns about the public health threat posed by mink fur factory farms. The Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act (‘‘Mink VIRUS Act”), H.R. 3783, seeks to prohibit the farming of mink in the U.S.
Animals in Research, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Alternatives to animal experiments are shaping the future of science
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
For years our undercover investigations at U.S. animal research laboratories have helped to raise awareness about the immense animal suffering caused by animal testing and experimentation. Pregnant rabbits are force-fed toxic pesticides. Cats have their spinal cords damaged and are forced to run on treadmills. Rats are placed in small tubes and made to inhale cigarette smoke.
