WASHINGTON (September 27, 2016)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Louis Barletta, R-Pennsylvania, for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District to support Rep. Barletta in November’s general election.

“Lou Barletta has routinely supported advancements in animal welfare,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 11th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Rep. Barletta for re-election.”

Among his efforts in the 114th Congress, Rep. Barletta:

• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 1258) to protect the human and animal victims of domestic violence and support the work of battered women’s shelters to accommodate pets;
• Cosponsored the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act (H.R. 2293) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws;
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 3268) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait;
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1942) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.

Media Contact: John Cleveland, (202) 676-2338, jcleveland@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (September 27, 2016)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District to support Rep. Blumenauer in November’s general election.

Rep. Blumenauer is co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC), a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. In 2015, he received a perfect score of “100+” on HSLF’s 2015 Humane Scorecard, having supported the full range of priority animal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and leading on multiple issues.

“Earl Blumenauer has been a tremendous force for animal protection, helping drive an enormous range of good outcomes for animals at the federal level,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF. “He is the leader on animal welfare in the Congress, and voters in the 3rd District who care about the humane treatment of animals should back his re-election.”

Among his efforts in the 114th Congress, Rep. Blumenauer:

• Introduced the Animal Welfare in Agricultural Research Endeavors (AWARE) Act (H.R. 746) to amend the Animal Welfare Act to require humane treatment of animals by federal government facilities;
• Co-introduced the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act (H.R. 2293) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws;
• Co-introduced the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2920) to prohibit interstate commerce in monkeys, apes and other primates for the exotic pet trade;
• Led a group letter requesting funding for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and USDA positions through student loan forgiveness;
• Led on a letter to the Department of Interior urging swift action to finalize its proposed rule listing African lions as endangered;
• Led on a letter to the Department of Agriculture urging action for Nosey, an ailing circus elephant held by a notorious exhibitor and forced to perform despite crippling arthritis;
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 1258) to protect the human and animal victims of domestic violence and support the work of battered women’s shelters to accommodate pets;
• Cosponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2858), to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics;
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 3268) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait;
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1942) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas;
• Supported the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2576), to update chemical safety tests and reduce or eliminate the testing of tens of thousands of chemicals on animals;
• Opposed a harmful rider that sought to block the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing new rules to crack down on the domestic ivory trade and help stop the poaching and slaughter of elephants for their tusks;
• Opposed measures to substantially weaken the Endangered Species Act and strip federal protections from wolves and other imperiled species;
• Opposed the so-called Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act (H.R. 2406), a grab bag of the most extreme practices involving trophy hunting and commercial trapping of wild animals.

Blumenauer is also a chief petitioner for the Yes on Measure 100 campaign in Oregon, to prohibit wildlife trafficking and the trade in elephant ivory, rhino horn, and other animal parts.

Media Contact: John Cleveland, (202) 676-2338, jcleveland@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (September 27, 2016)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Representative Ed Royce, R-California, for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong advocacy for animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 39th Congressional District to support Rep. Royce for re-election.

“Ed Royce has served as a leader on animal welfare issues during his time in office, especially working to save rare wildlife species and crack down on poaching and wildlife trafficking,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 39th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Rep. Royce for re-election.”

In the 114th Congress, Rep. Royce:

• Sponsored the Global Anti-Poaching Act (H.R. 2494) to support global anti-poaching efforts, strengthen the capacity of partner countries to counter wildlife trafficking, designate major wildlife trafficking countries, strengthen law enforcement tools by applying provisions of the federal criminal code concerning money laundering and racketeering to wildlife trafficking violations and make other needed reforms;
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1942) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas;
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 3268) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait;
• Cosponsored the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act (H.R. 2293) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws;
• Supported the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2576), to update chemical safety tests and reduce or eliminate the testing of tens of thousands of chemicals on animals.

Media Contact: John Cleveland, (202) 676-2338, jcleveland@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (Aug. 30, 2016) – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, congratulates Matt Gaetz for his commanding win in the Republican primary in the First Congressional District in Florida tonight.

“Matt Gaetz is a leader on mainstream animal protection issues, and we’re delighted he’s one giant step closer to winning a seat in Congress,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF. “We know he’ll be a voice for animal welfare and fiscal restraint if he prevails in November.”

Throughout his legal career and subsequent tenure in the Florida House of Representatives, Matt Gaetz has been a strong and reliable champion for the cause of animal protection. An outspoken leader in the ongoing fight to end Florida’s cruel state-sponsored greyhound racing program, Gaetz recently cosponsored legislation to require the reporting of all injuries sustained by greyhounds on Florida racetracks. He co-introduced and passed H.B. 851, which updated Florida’s animal protection laws to hold abusers accountable for every act of cruelty they commit. As an attorney, he sued Okaloosa County to stop a “pet tax.”

The HSLF urges voters in Florida’s First Congressional District to support Gaetz in November’s general election.

Media Contact: John Cleveland, (202) 676-2338, jcleveland@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

(May 18, 2016) - The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation's leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, congratulates Brad Avakian on his victory in the Democratic primary election for Oregon Secretary of State.

During his tenure in the Oregon state legislature, Brad had a strong record on protecting animals. He supported legislation that ended canned hunts and internet hunting as well as increased penalties for dog fighting.

“As a former legislator, we know Brad to always be open to our concerns on animal welfare and on numerous occasions delivered his vote for their protection and welfare,” said Joe Maxwell, senior political director of the HSLF.

Avakian overcame two Democratic primary challengers to secure his victory and will now face the Republican candidate in the Nov. 8 general election.

HSLF had mounted an independent expenditure campaign, including TV ads, opposing Avakian’s primary opponent, Val Hoyle. As House Majority Leader, Hoyle blocked legislation that would have banned the trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn to crack down on the rampant poaching of these majestic creatures, and she supported weakening the state’s protections for bears, cougars, and wolves.

Media Contact: Stephanie Twining, stwining@hslf.org, 301-258-1491

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

(May 13, 2016) — As final discussions wind down on critical legislation on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform package, commonly known as The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, 39 House Democrats wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, and urged him to incorporate all elements of the Senate-passed language on animal testing. The provisions would improve the science behind chemical testing, encourage better safety decisions to protect the environment and human health, and reduce the use of animals and the terrible suffering they endure through dosing them with these poisoning substances. The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund strongly support the language, which unanimously passed the Senate in December.

"Each year, tens of thousands of animals are killed to test industrial chemicals, including those found in common household products," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "These animals suffer terribly as harsh chemicals are rubbed into their skin, forced down their throats and dropped in their eyes. This breakthrough bill would help make chemical testing smarter, faster and more reliable for regulatory decision-making and protect animals’ lives. We have extraordinary bipartisan support for this provision, along with support from animal welfare groups and the chemicals industry, and we hope that hold-out lawmakers accede to the overwhelming sense of their colleagues that a strong policy requiring the use of alternatives to animal testing where available makes good sense."

The New Jersey congressional delegation’s roots run deep on TSCA reform. The bill was named for former U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, the House negotiations are co-led by Pallone and the Senate language on animal testing was spearheaded by U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

The final requested changes ensure that existing information is used before more animal testing is requested; that tests that also replace, and not just reduce, animal tests are considered; and finally, that industry consider non-animal approaches when performing voluntary testing prior to submitting an application to EPA. It is also in line with the chemical regulation policies of foreign governments, such as the European Union.

The core elements of that language have the broad support of Senate Democrats and Republicans and also the Environmental Working Group, Environmental Defense Fund, Consumer Specialty Products Association, American Chemistry Council, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Humane Society Legislative Fund, and The Humane Society of the United States.

Media Contact: Stephanie Twining, stwining@hslf.org, 301-258-1491

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

Animal Protection Group Notes She's Been an Impediment on Animal Welfare and Wildlife Protection, Siding with the NRA on Keeping the Ivory Trade Legal and Weakening Protections for Wolves, Bears and Cougars

Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2016) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation's leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, launched an independent expenditure campaign, including television advertising, opposing Val Hoyle for Oregon Secretary of State.

“Voters who care about protecting wildlife and honoring the will of the people should say ‘no’ to Val Hoyle,” said Joe Maxwell, senior political director of the HSLF. “As House majority leader, Hoyle sided with the gun lobby and trophy hunters. We need a Secretary of State who is in step with the majority of Oregonians in supporting animal welfare.”

Last year, Hoyle blocked a vote on a bill that would have stopped the trade in ivory, rhino horn, and the parts of other endangered animals. Washington voters approved a similar measure, over the objections of the National Rifle Association, with a 70 percent “yes” vote, with every county in the state favoring the restrictions on wildlife trafficking. The anti-ivory bill passed the Oregon Senate but died in the House after Hoyle indicated she opposed the bill, telling The Oregonian she was “not going to pick a fight with the NRA.”

Hoyle in prior years also voted to unravel Measure 18, even though voters twice affirmed their support for it, by voting for a proposal to allow counties to opt out of the key provisions of the ban on bear baiting and hounding of bears and cougars. In 2011, Hoyle voted to weaken protections for the state's small population of wolves, who have only recently reclaimed a small portion of their range in Oregon. In 2016, the legislature enacted a bill to affirm the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission's decision to remove Oregon's small and vulnerable wolf populations from the state endangered species list.

The TV ad can be viewed below:

HSLF has endorsed Richard Devlin for Secretary of State. During his House and Senate terms, Devlin voted to crack down on the ivory trade, captive hunting facilities and puppy mills and opposed efforts to repeal the state’s ban on hound hunting of mountain lions and to unwind protections for the state’s small population of wolves.

Media Contact: Stephanie Twining, stwining@hslf.org, 301-258-1491

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 25, 2016) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Kamala Harris for election to the U.S. Senate open seat in California. Citing her effective leadership and strong advocacy on animal protection policies throughout her tenure as the California Attorney General, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters in California to support Harris.

“Kamala Harris has one of the strongest records of leadership on animal protection as a state Attorney General,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “She has worked to defend the state’s laws to protect sharks from the brutal practice of finning and to end the era of extreme confinement of animals on industrial factory farms. She is standing up for the values of kindness and compassion, and California voters who support the humane treatment of animals should support Kamala Harris.”

During her time in public service, among her many efforts, Harris has:

• Been on the winning side of four separate challenges to Prop 2, the voter-approved ballot measure banning extreme confinement of farm animals in small cages on factory farms, and AB 1437, the bill to apply that same standard to shell eggs sold in the state.
• Successfully defeated a challenge to California’s ban on the possession and sale of shark fins, a law passed to help reduce the demand for cutting off sharks’ fins at sea and leaving them to die slowly in the oceans.
• Appealed the federal court ruling that struck down California’s ban on the sale of foie gras, produced through the inhumane force-feeding of ducks and geese.
• Supported a law that allows judges to include a family’s pets in protective orders in domestic violence cases.

Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer has been a champion for animal welfare issues during her long career. She received a Humane Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and was named the Legislator of the Year in 2012. Since 2010, she has led the charge on securing funding for USDA enforcement of key animal welfare laws, an effort that has yielded stronger oversight of slaughter plants, horse shows, puppy mills, laboratories, zoos, circuses, and other regulated entities, and has helped crackdown on illegal animal fighting, ease the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas and USDA inspection positions, and better meet the needs of animals in disasters. She has been a leading voice for wildlife and habitat, guiding important bills through the Environment and Public Works Committee and fending off a variety of anti-wildlife legislation. For example, she has led Senate efforts to address climate change, urged President Obama and her colleagues to maintain protections for endangered species, challenged harmful provisions subjecting wildlife and people to lead poisoning through exposure to toxic ammunition, pressed for updated regulations for the care of captive marine mammals, and played a pivotal role in getting chimpanzees transferred from barren laboratory cages to humane sanctuaries.

HSLF notes that Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., has also been a strong supporter of animal protection, co-sponsored a wide range of bills to protect animals and consistently gains high marks on the Humane Scorecard.

Media contact: Stephanie Twining, stwining@hslf.org, 301-258-1491

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

Bill Could Ultimately Eliminate Animal Testing

(Dec. 17, 2015)—The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund commend the U.S. Senate for passing S. 697, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, by voice vote. The bill would improve the science behind chemical testing, encourage better safety decisions to protect the environment and human health and would reduce -- if not eliminate -- the use of animals.

“Each year, tens of thousands of animals are killed to test industrial chemicals, including those found in common household products,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “These animals suffer terribly, as harsh chemicals are rubbed into their skin, forced down their throats and dropped in their eyes. This breakthrough bill would help make chemical testing smarter, faster and more reliable for regulatory decision-making and protect animals’ lives.”

S. 697 is sponsored by Sens. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and David Vitter, R-La., with 60 bipartisan cosponsors and major support from Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. on the animal testing language. The HSUS and HSLF urge the House-Senate conference to accept the Senate animal testing language when they finalize the bill.

Media Contact:Anna West: 240-751-2669; awest@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

(Dec. 16, 2015)—Several key animal protection issues were at stake in the omnibus spending package released early this morning by congressional negotiators, and The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are celebrating major victories for horses, elephants, wolves, and other creatures. In addition to important funding for animal welfare enforcement and development of alternatives to animal testing, the omnibus bill:

• Prohibits the use of funds to allow horse slaughter plants to open in the U.S.
• Retains the Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, and rejects congressional attempts to delist the species.
• Allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to crack down on the domestic trade in ivory to protect elephants from poaching.
• Funds much-needed protections for farm animals in research at federal facilities.

“Negotiators have done the right thing and included language to forbid anyone from setting up a horse slaughter plant on American soil,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We don’t round up dogs and cats, butcher them, and ship them to foreign markets, and it should be unthinkable to do that with a species that helped us settle the nation.”

“Lawmakers had the good sense to keep their paws off of wolves,” added Pacelle. “These animals occupy just a fraction of their original range, and the ancestors of the domesticated dog should continue to be protected from zealots who want to kill them in a head-hunting pursuit.”

Media Contact: Anna West: 240-751-2669; awest@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.