Pets & Cruelty /
Good news for dogs and other animals, as US agencies support stronger protections
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
What we’re thinking about ahead of Trump’s State of the Union address
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In the U.S., the State of the Union address gives the president an opportunity to speak to a joint session of Congress about the nation’s condition, sharing legislative and regulatory proposals and communicating and reinforcing priorities. In recent years, we’ve used this time to spell out our own priorities and to reflect upon the U.S. government’s performance on animal protection issues.
Farm Animals /
Extremely fast slaughter line speeds are cruel, dangerous and about to get worse
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The U.S. Department of Agriculture just proposed increasing or altogether eliminating speed limits for slaughter lines, which puts animals, workers and the public at risk. Accelerated slaughter line speeds are nothing less than a recipe for cruelty and chaos. Faster speeds risk horrific cruelty to animals and put workers at higher risk of debilitating injuries, all while compromising food safety.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Our Humane Scorecard is out: How did Members of Congress score on animal issues in 2025?
It’s my privilege to share our Humane Scorecard for the first session of the 119th Congress. The scorecard tracks key co-sponsorships, votes and other animal-friendly actions by federal lawmakers. It’s an accountability tool we use to cultivate greater awareness among legislators as well as incentives for their future commitment. Please look to see how your senators and congressional representative scored; the scorecard is something you can share with others who care about animals, too.
Farm Animals /
US Department of Justice sues Michigan over cage-free eggs
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Michigan over cage-free eggs. The lawsuit is an attempt to gut a 2019 law requiring that eggs produced and sold in the state come from hens kept in cage-free environments. The move tries to reverse a trend that goes well beyond Michigan, the broad public rejection of the obvious cruelty of intensively confining farmed animals in cages so small they can hardly move.
Equines, Farm Animals, Wildlife /
USDA’s freeze on protections for horses is part of a more chilling, pervasive problem
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement last week that it will suspend until December 31, 2026, the implementation of regulatory reforms designed to protect horses from soring conceals a bitter truth. In further stalling its enforcement of a final rule to prevent a stone-cold cruelty, the agency has abdicated its responsibility to protect horses under the Horse Protection Act, as directed by Congress. The announcement itself is proof.
Wildlife /
Trophy hunting does not benefit animals, no matter what US Interior Secretary claims
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
For years, successive UK governments, including the current one, have promised to ban trophy hunting imports from certain kinds of imperiled wild animals, such as the severed heads and feet from elephants, lions and rhinos. In recent years, three bills have been introduced to stop British hunters from bringing home trophy souvenirs, two of which came close to becoming law.
Animals in Research, Equines, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Here are the wins for animals in just-passed US funding package
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
There’s some good news for animals in the funding packages for the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Justice that passed the Senate last week and were just signed into law.
These wins are the result of animal advocates—both us and our allies—who never wavered in the view that the protection of animals matters, and that it’s something that the American people want. Here are the animal welfare wins in the FY2026 funding packages:
Gray wolves and grizzly bears saved
Animals in Research, In the News /
Breaking: US Environmental Protection Agency recommits to ending tests on mammals by 2035
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Today, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recommitted to a previously stated goal to end testing on dogs, rats, mice, rabbits and other mammals by 2035. This move has the potential to replace tests on tens of thousands of animals with non-animal methods that are better for both humans and animals.
Farm Animals /
As Big Ag keeps on squealing, Proposition 12 and other animal welfare laws take root
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Farm Animals /
Dietary guidelines corrupted by agribusiness priorities aren’t good for people or animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
