STATEMENT: Wild horses, endangered wildlife protections maintained as Congress delivers funding win for animals
Latest congressional appropriations package demonstrates continued bipartisan support for animal welfare policies
WASHINGTON (January 15, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, issued the following statement on Congress passing a FY2026 funding package for the U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Justice among other federal agencies.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
As we enter 2026, the speed at which global events unfold can feel overwhelming and the future can feel uncertain. It is also true, though, that good things are happening: Every day, all over the world, people are giving their voices to the voiceless, taking a stand for animals who cannot advocate for themselves. In that sense, every single day marks progress toward the more humane world we are trying to achieve in every country where our teams are active.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Montessa, a chimpanzee, spent 50 years in a barren laboratory, and for 30 of them, she endured harmful testing procedures. This year, however, her fortune changed. She, along with other chimpanzees from a federally owned facility in New Mexico, finally arrived at Chimp Haven in Louisiana—thanks in large part to our persistent advocacy for their sanctuary retirement.
FDA takes steps to prioritize science over suffering in latest move to reduce animal testing
Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund encouraged by draft guidance on monoclonal antibody therapies, but further clarity needed from federal drug regulators
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Note: This blog is part of a series on ways we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty to create a more humane world for animals. For this post, Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund, joins me to tell the story of how we confront animal cruelty and suffering at the roots by changing laws and government regulations.
“Why isn’t this illegal?”
We have posted the preview version of our annual Humane Scorecard to help you assess the position of federal legislators on our priority measures. If you do not see your senators and your representative listed as co-sponsors of key bills, we hope you’ll reach out, asking them to promptly co-sponsor them. In addition to holding elected officials accountable for their votes, the scorecard creates incentives for federal legislators to assert leadership on humane issues and take the pro-animal position on a range of actions.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The longest federal shutdown in American history has ended. The funding package that was passed by the U.S. House and Senate earlier this week has now been signed into law.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In lethal dose tests, animals are forced to swallow, inhale or absorb through their skin a massive dose of a chemical or product until most are dying or dead. Those who survive are killed. It is hard to imagine or quantify their suffering. Put simply, lethal dose tests are as horrific as they sound, and are a living nightmare for the countless rats, mice, birds, fish and other animals used as test subjects.
