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.

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.