State Legislation /
Virginia is for animal lovers – see how your state legislator measured up on animal protection
The 2024 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online and clearly demonstrates that Virginia is for animal lovers. State lawmakers passed eight pieces of anti-cruelty legislation, all of which were signed into law by the Governor. Thanks to the actions of advocates and legislators, the use of bullhooks on elephants is prohibited, pet stores must now comply with federal consumer credit law, and publicly-funded animal testing facilities will be further investigated.
State Legislation /
Calling all Marylanders – how did your lawmakers score on animal protection this year?
The 2024 Maryland Humane Scorecard is now available online. This year, lawmakers passed a notable victory that will prohibit travelling acts from using bears, big cats, elephants, and non-human primates in the state. We at HSLF celebrate this victory, but we also recognize that overall, we saw a lack of progress on animal issues in the 2024 session.
Equines, Federal Legislation /
Could this be the end of cruel soring at Tennessee walking horse ‘Celebrations’?
By Keith Dane
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Progress! 15 ‘Horrible Hundred’ puppy mills shut down or penalized so far this year
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Elections /
Presidential Candidate Profile: Kamala Harris’ record on animal protection
With the 2024 Democratic National Convention wrapping up in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris is now officially the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. That makes this the right time to assess Harris’ record on animal protection issues. Harris has had a long political career and held offices at the local, state and federal levels in which she has had substantial opportunities to advance animal protection policies.
Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
New HBO documentary shines light on chimps kept captive as pets
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Farm Animals, Federal Legislation, In the News /
News outlets are driving change by exposing systemic animal cruelty
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Earlier this month, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof highlighted our society’s moral inconsistency when it comes to animals we keep as pets and love as family members, like dogs, and the animals kept and killed for food, like pigs.
State Legislation /
The 2024 Colorado Scorecard is here, and we’re asking—did your lawmakers pass or fail on animal protection?
This November, there are 83 legislative seats up for election in Colorado's legislature. Coloradans will vote to elect their entire State House and half of their State Senate—where decisions are made daily that affect the welfare of animals. Your decisions at the ballot box determine the future of our fight to protect animals in the state.
State Legislation /
Calling all Iowans—the Iowa Humane Scorecard is here! Did your legislators make the grade?
For the first time, we are pleased to share our 2024 Iowa Humane Scorecard, which takes a look at the votes of the 2023-2024 legislative sessions. Here you can learn what actions your lawmakers took, and what issues they failed to support, in our fight to protect animals in Iowa.
Animals in Research, Federal Legislation /
Funding bill could grant $30 million to support monkey experimentation
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In so many respects, scientific and technological innovation has defined this era—so it is nothing less than absurd that taxpayer dollars still fund animal experiments when non-animal approaches that could yield far better results for human health exist. That’s why we push to take the suffering out of science by, among other things, advocating for changes in how taxpayer funding is spent.
Equines, Wildlife, In the News /
Federal agency must swiftly address contractor’s willful act of cruelty at Nevada wild horse gather
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We condemn in the strongest terms a disturbing act of cruelty caught on video by a wild horse advocacy organization at a Bureau of Land Management wild horse gather in Pershing County, Nevada.
Wildlife /
Lead poisoning kills countless animals. It doesn’t have to be this way.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Some threats facing animals can seem so gargantuan as to be just part of the status quo—but we are determined to change the systemic injustices that harm countless animals. In addition to fighting cruel trophy hunting practices that cause egregious suffering for target animals, we’ve been pushing for reform that could save the lives of countless animals killed accidentally because of the use of lead ammunition.
