Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  

Animal-friendly appropriations in Congress bring good news for all kinds of animals 

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Update 3/15/2022: President Biden signed the appropriations package into law.

Humane advocates often look to the passage of animal-friendly legislation as the strongest measure of progress in our work at the federal level, and clearly, good laws are important. But a nation that cares for animals needs to prove that in its spending commitments, too. For that reason, we work to secure strong animal protection laws and to shape congressional funding priorities for key federal agencies.

Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News  /  

As President Biden addresses the state of the union, we continue to push for progress for animals

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Equines, Federal Legislation, In the News  /  

Kentucky Derby winner’s disqualification highlights ongoing need for horse racing reform

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The regulatory system in horse racing has been broken for years, and public confidence in the sport continues to wane. This week’s news that Medina Spirit is being stripped of his 2021 Kentucky Derby win is yet another blow.

Wildlife, In the News  /  

Federal judge restores critical protections for many gray wolves, ending states’ cruel and irresponsible management

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Wolves across most of the continental United States must have Endangered Species Act protections restored, a federal judge ruled yesterday, effectively prohibiting trophy hunting of the species across most of the country.

Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  

2021 in review: How did your Members of Congress score on animal protection issues?

Accountability is critical to our work. Just as we are accountable to our supporters and the animals we seek to defend, we work to hold elected officials accountable for their track records and their commitment to animal protection legislation.

Today we have published our annual Humane Scorecard to track key votes, co-sponsorships and other actions by federal lawmakers in support of animal protection. We hope you find it a valuable tool, and we’re heartened that many legislators work hard to achieve a high score.

Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  

Key wildlife priorities advance in the House

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

It is the dream of a better world for animals that inspires our work, but it is action that will get us there, and that’s what made Friday’s events on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives momentous. All at once, in a single session, in one package—the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 4521)—the House voted to support half a dozen wildlife protection measures. As a result, we’re just steps away from achieving sweeping protections for hundreds of millions of animals worldwide.

Wildlife  /  

To save wolves, the US government must act now

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  

Trophy hunters celebrate their kills in Las Vegas despite overwhelming public opposition

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News  /  

Tiger King takeaway: It’s time to end big cat breeding and trafficking

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The original “Tiger King” Netflix series was a pandemic phenomenon with a train-wreck fascination for millions of viewers and a whole cast of unsavory characters. But the sideshow weirdness of the personalities involved kept many viewers from focusing on the big cat industry’s epidemic of cruelty.

Animals in Research, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, Issue Areas, State Legislation  /  

Good news to start 2022: These new laws are now in place to protect animals

By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson

We begin our work in 2022 encouraged by the knowledge that a handful of significant animal protection laws at the state level have now taken effect across the country. That makes for a great start to a year in which we hope to extend the reach of our campaigns to help all animals.

Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  

How wild animals won against trophy hunters in 2021

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Every year that passes sees hundreds of thousands of wild animals in the U.S. and around the world killed by trophy hunters, whose main motivation is to display whole animals or their body parts for bragging rights. Given all the threats facing wild animals, including habitat loss, environmental devastation and climate change, it is astounding that such a practice still exists today, which is why protecting animals from trophy hunting in the U.S. and around the world is a top priority for us.

Animals in Research, Federal Legislation  /  

Major progress for animals in laboratories in 2021 signals a more humane future

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The world is moving toward a future dominated by sophisticated methods that use human cells, tissues and organs, 3D printing, robotics, computer models and other technologies to create approaches to testing and research that do not rely on animals. These methods are often faster, less expensive and more effective than the outdated animal experiments currently in use. Despite this, millions of guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, primates, mice, rats and other animals still suffer in laboratories worldwide.