Farm Animals /
Biden administration withdraws Trump-era plan for higher line speeds at chicken slaughterhouses
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The Biden administration has withdrawn a deplorable pending rule that would have allowed qualifying chicken slaughter plants in the United States to permanently dial up line speeds from an already inhumane and lightning-fast 140 birds per minute to 175 birds per minute.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Elections, Federal Legislation /
Our 100-day plan for animal protection under the Biden-Harris administration
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Federal court orders Jeff Lowe to surrender all cubs, mothers
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A U.S. District Court has ordered Jeff Lowe, a notorious big cat exhibitor who took over the running of Joe Exotic’s zoo, GW Exotics, to surrender all big cat cubs and their mothers in his possession over allegations of mistreatment.
The preliminary injunction in the Department of Justice case for recurring inhumane treatment and improper handling of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act was based on shocking findings by the U.S Department of Agriculture at Lowe’s facility in Oklahoma.
Elections /
Huge wins for animals in federal elections
In the aftermath of the terrible events of January 6, we should not underestimate the great damage done to our nation and the urgent need for healing that lies ahead. One of the most important pathways to social and political revival will be an even stronger commitment to a healthy and democratic process and governance. We can no longer take for granted the institutions that have made us proud to be Americans. We must make still greater personal and professional investments to strengthen them.
Wildlife /
HSUS, allies sue Trump administration for delisting wolves
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Animals in Research /
37 chimpanzees once used for research are still locked up in a lab. We are suing the NIH to release them to sanctuary.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Thirty-seven chimpanzees languishing at a New Mexico primate laboratory are still waiting for the National Institutes of Health to fulfil a promise it made in 2015—to retire them to sanctuary after a lifetime spent in research.
Today, we’re giving these animals a helping hand by suing the federal agency, which has shamelessly reneged on this promise.
Wildlife, In the News /
Gorillas at zoo in San Diego test positive for coronavirus
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus in the first known cases of its transmission to non-human primates. The animals are believed to have contracted the virus from an asymptomatic zookeeper.
Elections /
Landslide wins for HSLF candidates at the state and local levels
As our wounded nation seeks to transcend the events of January 6, we’re turning our attention to the important work of helping animals, confident that the things we do, as engaged citizens and advocates for animals, are good for the democratic institutions of government. The actions we take in relation to public policy for animals contribute to the vitality and health of American politics, providing, among other things, an area of concern—animal welfare—that attracts people of all political persuasions.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
House members reintroduce bill to ban cub petting, keeping big cats as pets
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
A bill that would prohibit public contact with big cats like tigers, lions and leopards and ban the possession of these animals as pets was swiftly reintroduced in the U.S. House today, suggesting that the measure is poised for early action in Congress.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
In its final days, Trump administration launches lame-duck attack on migratory birds
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The Trump administration, in its final days, is attempting to undo crucial, century-old protections for migratory birds as a handout to the construction and oil and gas industries.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
As pandemic continues and spotlight shines on animal-human transmission, House members reintroduce bill to end U.S. trade in wild animals for food and other products
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update (1/25/2021): A Senate version of the Preventing Future Pandemics Act was introduced today by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Cory Booker, D-N.J. The House version, introduced earlier this month, now has 50 cosponsors.
Wildlife /
Proposed U.S. rule on critically endangered right whales is too weak to bring real change
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The National Marine Fisheries Service today released a proposed rule intended to reduce the risk of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales getting entangled in heavy ropes used in fishing gear such as that used for catching lobsters and crabs. Unfortunately, this long-anticipated rule falls far short of the protections that are really needed to ensure these marine mammals do not disappear forever.
