Uncategorized  /  

Attention Holiday Shoppers: Petland Tied to Puppy Mills

I led a press conference this morning, packed with television cameras at The Humane Society of the United States’ headquarters in Washington, D.C., to announce the results of a new eight-month investigation into puppy mill cruelty.

Uncategorized  /  

Taxing Prognosis for California's Pets

The current economic crisis has impacted many aspects of our lives, and pets are no exception. Pet food and regular veterinary care are necessities, not luxuries, for the companion animals in our lives, and we can’t skimp on these costs without jeopardizing the health and safety of our pets. Animal shelters are filling up with dogs and cats who were abandoned or relinquished when their families lost their homes due to foreclosures.

Uncategorized  /  

We Need Change Animals Can Believe In

President-elect Barack Obama has eleven weeks between the election and inauguration to pick his Cabinet and key White House personnel. If history is any guide, the first few appointments are likely to be high-profile posts such as Secretary of State and Attorney General, while those that most directly affect animal welfare—Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior—won’t come until week six or later. 

Elections, Talk Back  /  

Talk Back: Celebrating an Historic Election for Animals

Readers joined us in celebrating the Election Day victories for animal protection, and looking toward the challenges ahead. I want to express my thanks to all of you who supported humane candidates for office, contacted your friends about the animal protection ballot measures, and helped to put animal issues on the political map this election season. Here are some of your comments.

Uncategorized  /  

Presidential Puncture Wounds

President-elect Barack Obama has assembled his transition team, and will make a raft of important choices over the next couple months as he prepares to govern the country. He will not only look forward, but will also evaluate the actions of his predecessors and learn from the mistakes of presidents past.

Uncategorized  /  

A Mutt Like Me

Not since Richard Nixon’s famous Checkers speech has a dog featured so prominently in presidential politics. During President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech on Tuesday night, he told his daughters, Sasha and Malia, they “have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.” When asked about the puppy during his first post-election press conference on Friday, Obama explained in more depth:

Elections  /  

A Big Election Day for Animals

On Tuesday, voters from coast to coast sent a strong message that animals deserve to be protected from cruelty and abuse, and the humane movement won resounding victories in the presidential race, congressional races, and ballot issue contests. These new public policies and new and reelected policymakers will have a meaningful impact on the lives of animals for years to come.

Ballot Measures  /  

Lead Solidifying for Prop 2 in California

With 21.5% of precincts reporting, the YES side is leading 62% to 38%. We are not ready to express any certainty about the outcome, but it is looking quite good for the farm animals at this point.

Elections  /  

How Has HSLF Fared in Congressional Races?

There are many races still too close to call, but I want to give you a broad look at how the HSLF-backed candidates are doing tonight in the House and Senate contests. So far, 248 candidates endorsed by HSLF have won tonight, and ten have been defeated. We have lost some good friends in Congress, but we've gained some new allies as well.

Ballot Measures  /  

Sacramento Bee Calls Resounding Victory for YES on Prop 2

http://www.sacbee.com/elections/story/1371526.html

Voters approve Proposition 2 on farm animal treatment

Bee Capitol Bureau

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 04, 2008

California voters on Tuesday approved the Humane Society-sponsored measure, 68 percent to 32 percent with about 10 percent of precincts reporting, to outlaw caging practices that prevent farm animals from lying down, standing up, turning around or extending their limbs.

Ballot Measures  /  

Arizonans Protect Animals and Voting Rights

California's Proposition 2 and Massachusetts' Question 3 were not the only victories for animals tonight on statewide ballot measures. Arizonans soundly rejected Proposition 105, which would have made it nearly impossible to pass any future ballot initiative dealing with animal protection.

Elections  /  

Update on Congressional Races

The returns continue to come in, and HSLF-endorsed candidates in the House and Senate races now stand at 279 wins and 13 losses. We've lost some great friends of animals in Congress, such as Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), Don Cazayoux (D-La.), Phil English (R-Pa.), Ric Keller (R-Fla.), Jon Porter (R-Nev.), and Chris Shays (R-Conn.). We were not against their opponents so much as we were for these incumbents who had been strong supporters and leaders for animal welfare.