Equines, Federal Legislation /
There is simply no way to make horse slaughter humane
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 6/16/23: The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The U.S. still exports tens of thousands of horses to slaughter. It’s well past time we permanently ban domestic horse slaughter in the U.S. and stop the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Revealed: 100 reprehensible U.S. puppy mills in Horrible Hundred report
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a photo taken by a state inspector, a dog stands looking away from the camera, her tail pointing down. At first glance, this image may seem like a sweet photo because of the boxer’s soft brown eyes and emotional expression. But farther up in the frame, the dog’s body tells a different story. Her ribs jut out; her hip bones and spinal column are starkly visible. And just beside her emaciated body is a pile of five tiny puppies sleeping next to an empty bowl.
Farm Animals, In the News /
Breaking: Supreme Court upholds strongest farm animal protection law in U.S.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Equines, Federal Legislation /
Breaking: U.S. Congress has new chance to stop horse soring
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update March 21, 2024: The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act has just been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate as S. 4004 by Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Mark Warner, D-Va., with 48 other original cosponsors—that’s half the Senate! The parallel House bill, H.R. 3090, now has 241 co-sponsors, more than a majority in that chamber. It’s high time to enact the PAST Act and end the indefensible cruelty to horses known as “soring.”
Equines, Federal Legislation /
For horses in the Kentucky Derby, change can't come soon enough
By Keith Dane
Update 5/8/23: A total of seven horses died at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to and on the day of the Kentucky Derby, and five horses were scratched. In light of these facts, it is shocking that the race was even run. Lives are on the line: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act must be fully implemented and enforced immediately. Anyone seeking to delay such protections for horses cares nothing at all for the welfare of these animals.
Elections, State Legislation /
Calling all Virginians – Where do your state legislators stand on animal protection?
The 2023 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online, and we encourage voters to use it as a tool when they approach the ballot box this year. Holding legislators accountable to humane interests is critical as we strive to make our voices louder than those of the trophy hunters, factory farmers, and puppy mill lobbyists.
By uniting behind candidates who know the stakes for the most vulnerable among us, we can work towards a cruelty-free world.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Breaking: New threats to grizzlies, wolves and Endangered Species Act emerge in Congress
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources voted in favor of six bills and resolutions that threaten to remove protections from grizzly bears and gray wolves and weaken the Endangered Species Act. This “grab bag” of danger includes:
Pets & Cruelty, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
New progress in fight against puppy mills shows caring about companion animals is a nonpartisan issue
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a country where political tempers often run hot, agreement can seem incredibly rare. But, regardless of party affiliation, a consensus is emerging that our companion animals should be treated with basic decency—and this is not how kitten and puppy mills treat dogs and cats.
Wildlife /
After the ‘Tiger King’ era, new ways to help other captive wild animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Equines, In the News /
Breaking: New anti-doping program is good news for racehorses
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Celebrating the lawmakers who made 2022 a banner year for big cats and other animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Last night at our Humane Awards event on Capitol Hill, we celebrated the work of lawmakers whose dedication to our cause made 2022 a banner congressional year for animals. In particular, we recognized the passage into law of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and the lawmakers who led it. This was a seminal accomplishment in the history of animal protection, one that took more than a decade to achieve.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Puppy Protection Act brings hope for dogs languishing in puppy mills
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
