Elections /
Are you #VoteReady? Tuesday, September 20 is National Voter Registration Day
Humane advocates who use their right to vote stand at the heart of our mission to end the suffering of animals—just as the right to vote is itself foundational to American democracy.
Farm Animals, Action Alerts /
Putting the ‘USDA Organic’ label on a stronger animal welfare path
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments on its proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule, which is a great opportunity to address farm animal welfare. We’re pushing hard for this landmark federal regulation to become final because the rule, which is over twenty years in the making, would strengthen animal welfare standards on organic farms.
Pets & Cruelty, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
All the great progress in our fight against puppy mills this summer
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
Summer is a time of rest and relaxation for many of us, but there has been no lull in our fight to end puppy mills. We have made real progress in our campaign to stop inhumane dog breeders who mass-produce puppies for sale through third party outlets like pet stores and online sites that allow their cruelty to remain hidden. Here’s a roundup of recent wins:
Wildlife, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
We’ve filed a new lawsuit because wolves in the Northern Rockies need help now
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
Farm Animals, State Legislation /
Breaking: More experts join forces in key U.S. Supreme Court case for animals
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
Elections /
Candidates hit the campaign trail and animal protection advocates can join them
We are in the midst of the August recess—a traditional break in the DC legislative calendar for members of Congress and their staff to work from their congressional districts or in state. The halls of Congress are much quieter, with elected officials in their home districts and many legislative aides juggling their vacations with constituent work. Residents of Washington, D.C. even notice the lighter traffic and smaller crowds across the city.
State Legislation /
2022 Maryland Humane Scorecard - Do your state lawmakers measure up on animal welfare?
Since 2006, with the primary goal of advancing federal animal protection legislation, the Humane Society Legislative Fund has published the Humane Scorecard to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships, and other actions of federal lawmakers. It’s popular with our supporters, and it’s influential with legislators who know the value of a higher score.
Given the success of the scorecard, and with so much at stake for animals in state capitols, we’ve now started tracking key animal protection votes by state legislators.
Farm Animals /
Breaking: New developments in key U.S. Supreme Court case for animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Those who follow this blog know about the impending lawsuit in front of the United States Supreme Court, which will have immense consequences for animals. The case centers around Proposition 12, California’s landmark law to address animal cruelty and public health issues stemming from the worst factory farming practices.
Farm Animals /
USDA issues crucial organics standards rule on farm animal welfare
The USDA National Organic Program has just published a long-awaited proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule in the Federal Register. If finalized, the rule would be a landmark federal regulation specifically addressing the welfare of animals on farms. Among other things, it seeks to strengthen animal welfare standards on organic farms by clarifying space and freedom-to-move requirements for farm animals in the organic program.
Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
How we work to save animals (part 2): Yes, there should be a law
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Note: This blog is part of a series highlighting how the Humane Society family of organizations fight—and win—for animals. For this post, Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, joins with our president, Sara Amundson, to tell the story about how we tackle institutionalized animal suffering by changing laws and government regulations.
Equines, Federal Legislation /
Victory in court for horses who need protection from cruel practice of ‘soring’
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News, State Legislation /
How to make Shark Week good for sharks
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Sharks have been around for 450 million years, outliving the dinosaurs and surviving mass extinctions. But now, out of the 500 or so species (that we know of), a third of all sharks and shark-like species are threatened with extinction due to human activity. Some of these species include the unique scalloped hammerhead shark, the common thresher shark, which uses a long tail to stun prey and the bespeckled whale shark, the world’s largest living fish.
