Animals in Research /
Dogs are still being forced to ingest pesticides in labs. You can help stop it.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Every day in the U.S., beagles—known for their calm, gentle demeanor—are bred for use as compliant test subjects in the commercial testing industry. Most of the puppies are born just to be a living body on which chemicals can be tested and the results observed. The vast majority of these dogs will never feel grass beneath their paws or play with a ball. Instead, they will live and die in laboratories.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Citizen advocates gather in Washington, DC to stop Big Pork’s attempts to gut animal protection laws
8/6/26 update: The Senate Agriculture Committee did not pass a Farm Bill today, leaving the controversial Save Our Bacon Act out of the legislation as negotiations continue.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
Big win: 10 US states now ban the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet shops
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The movement to end the cruel puppy mill pipeline has reached a significant milestone now that Delaware has passed a law prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops.
Wildlife /
Breaking: We will sue the Trump administration for gutting Endangered Species Act protections
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Over the last several weeks, the Trump administration has followed through on its November 2025 declaration of war on the Endangered Species Act and other wildlife protection laws.
State Legislation /
Virginia state lawmakers lead on animal protection measures
The 2026 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online. On the heels of the 2025 election, which produced not only a new Governor but a significant chamber turnover, Virginia’s elected officials continue to show up for animals.
The scorecard highlights several pieces of pro-animal legislation that passed into law, including bills prohibiting premature separation of wild animals separated from their mothers in captivity, connecting veterinarians to shelters, and banning the devocalization of dogs.
Wildlife /
Trump administration proposes changes to grizzly bear protections
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
This week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to change Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears in the Lower 48 states, while leaving open the door to a future proposal to delist the species from federal protections.
Wildlife /
In reinterpreting ‘harm,’ for endangered species, the Trump administration will only cause more of it
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
“Harm” is not just a word. When it comes to the Trump administration’s wildlife policies, it’s the defining word.
For more than half a century, the Endangered Species Act has helped save wildlife in large part because it protects the habitats animals need to survive. Last week, the Trump administration issued a rule changing a regulatory interpretation of the word “harm” in the Endangered Species Act that has been essential to its function.
Elections /
How we support candidates on the ballot in every election
By Brad Pyle
Making sure our endorsed candidates win their elections is a top priority at Humane World Action Fund. While we invest a great deal of time and effort into identifying candidates to support, the real work comes when it’s time to support them with the information, resources, and votes they need to win on election day.
Telling the story
Elections /
Expanding our political activity at the state and local levels
By Brad Pyle
Whether it’s establishing a bond with a newly adopted pet or fighting for hallmark animal protection legislation, good things take time. With that in mind, we have been building up our political programming in recent years, because we know that bringing an end to animal cruelty is possible when we unite, organize, and show up as a movement.
Farm Animals, Federal Legislation /
In win for animals, the Save Our Bacon Act is excluded from US Senate Farm Bill draft
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Animals in Research, Federal Legislation /
House Appropriations package reinforces our animal-free science agenda
There’s exciting news regarding our work to get animals out of laboratories and keep them out. The House Appropriations Committee has advanced its Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill on a 34–28 vote, and the report language that accompanies the package promises to advance many of our priorities.
The report’s highlights include:
State Legislation /
The 2026 Maryland Humane Scorecard is here – use it at the ballot box
The 2026 Maryland Humane Scorecard is now available online. As this scorecard reveals, Maryland continues to prove its mettle as a leader in animal protection policy.
