Every year, our public policy work for animals produces strong results and tangible benefits for animals, through the passage of laws or the approval of federal agency rules that lead to desired reforms. Still, there is something that really jumps out about 2022, and makes it a year we’ll long remember. We closed out the case on two of the most disturbing animal cruelty issues of the 21st century, the exploitation of big cats for photo ops and as “pets,” and the hacking off of sharks’ fins for use in soup.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 12/29/22: President Biden has signed the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations package into law—a big win for animals!
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 12/23/22: President Biden has signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, which removes the U.S. from the cruel shark fin trade and helps to combat wildlife trafficking.
Update 12/8/2022: The House just voted 350 to 80 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, we expect the Senate to vote on the package as soon as next week.
Right on the heels of the Big Cat Public Safety Act’s resounding approval in the U.S. Congress, two additional animal protection measures are poised to pass as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding levels and determines authority for the Department of Defense’s most critical priorities.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 12/20/2022: President Biden signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law!
Breaking: Big Cat Public Safety Act passes the U.S. Senate and heads to President Biden’s desk
Breaking: Big Cat Public Safety Act passes the U.S. Senate and heads to President Biden’s desk
Monumental legislation will prohibit keeping tigers, lions and other big cat species as pets and bans public contact with these species, including cub petting
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
There’s a golden opportunity to help protect African elephants now that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new Endangered Species Act rule. If finalized, the new rule would better regulate imports of African elephants and their parts, like hunting trophies, to the U.S. We have long advocated that the existing regulations are not strong enough.
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
At a time when bipartisanship can be unpredictable in politics, it’s particularly gratifying to recognize four lawmakers who have joined together to advance one of the most urgent animal protection measures in the Congress, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.
