Animals in Research /
Documents reveal USDA skipping inspections at animal laboratories
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The U.S. Department of Agriculture secretly implemented a new procedure in 2019 to skirt its responsibility to animals at some research laboratories, documents obtained by Harvard Law School’s Animal Law and Policy Clinic and covered in Science Magazine, reveal.
Pets & Cruelty /
Our Horrible Hundred report exposes 100 puppy mills that sell to pet stores and online
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
What dog lovers don’t know about where their beloved puppies come from can hurt them. When puppies are born to emaciated, sick or injured dogs in cramped and dirty wire cages, the physical and mental toll can extend throughout their lives, impacting their behavior and wellbeing while causing heartache and heavy expenses for those who love them. And of course, for the mother dogs who are left to live and be bred in such squalid, neglectful conditions, the suffering doesn’t stop.
Wildlife /
Improved federal bird policies poised to take flight
Just in time for World Migratory Bird Day this Saturday, there is good news for birds.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
South Africa to clamp down on exploitative captive lion industry
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Equines /
Nearly half the Senate calls for an end to soring, in letter to Secretary of Agriculture
Almost half the U.S. Senate has called for swift action to end the indefensible practice known as horse soring—in which scofflaw trainers of Tennessee Walking horses and related breeds torment horses to get them to fling their front legs high, just to win a cheap blue ribbon in a show ring.
Wildlife, In the News /
NRA chief’s agonizing elephant hunt shows what’s wrong with trophy hunting
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The New Yorker broke a story yesterday about the head of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, attempting to kill an endangered elephant in Botswana. The newly released footage exemplifies the blithe depravity of trophy hunting.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Puppy Protection Act would end some of the worst puppy mill cruelties
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We all know what dogs love: a comfortable napping spot, a romp in the grass, a kind touch and the safety and security of a caring environment. But thousands of dogs in commercial breeding operations licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell to pet stores and online have none of these comforts.
Wildlife, State Legislation /
Idaho lawmakers on verge of sanctioning a carnage of 90% of the state's wolves
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A bill that would allow trophy hunters, trappers and private contractors hired at taxpayer expense to kill up to 90% of the state’s wolves is flying through the Idaho legislature, and we need to stop it in its tracks.
The bill, introduced Tuesday, has already passed the state Senate and the House Resources and Conservation Committee. It could receive a vote on the floor of the House as early as Monday.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
House revives bill to end shark fin trade that passed during last session
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A bill to end all commercial trade in the United States of shark fins and shark fin products was reintroduced in the U.S. House today.
The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, H.R. 2811, already enjoys great support in Congress and a previous version passed the House during the last session by an overwhelming vote of 310 to 107. The bill also passed a key Senate committee but failed to see action from the full Senate before the session ended.
Wildlife, State Legislation /
Bill to ban dangerous wild animals as pets advances in Nevada
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Nevada, one of the last remaining states without a ban on the ownership of exotic wild animals as pets, is now moving to pass a law to do exactly that.
Wildlife /
U.S. finalizes critical habitat protections for endangered humpback whales
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The United States has finalized a rule to protect key ocean habitats used by endangered humpback whales as they migrate and feed in the waters off the U.S. west coast.
Wildlife, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation /
Bill to end keeping big cats as pets, 'cub petting' reintroduced in U.S. Senate
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A bill that would prohibit public contact with big cats like tigers, lions and leopards and ban keeping these animals as pets has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate.
