The 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard is now available online and highlights the progress being made on animal protection in the state. From leading the charge on tamping down on cockfighting to increasing access to veterinary care, sitting lawmakers took action to protect all of Maryland’s animals.
Maryland legislators earn high marks in 2025 Humane Scorecard for enacting bold animal welfare reforms
Senators and delegates advance historic prohibition on the breeding of roosters alongside other animal welfare measures in the 2025 legislative session
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 10, 2025)—Today Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, released its 2025 Maryland Humane Scorecard. Published annually since 2021, the Maryland scorecard grades state lawmakers on their actions during the most recent legislative session to advance animal protection.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Our fight to end puppy mill cruelty has reached a milestone well worth celebrating: 500 localities across the U.S. have banned the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet shops.
The 2025 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online and demonstrates the commonwealth’s commitment to combatting animal testing. From nonhuman primates to dogs, state lawmakers passed critical bills defending the most vulnerable animals in our care.
Virginia legislators earn high marks in 2025 Humane Scorecard for protecting animals and advancing transparency
From animals sold through pet shops to nonhuman primates used in research and testing, Virginia lawmakers step up for animals in the 2025 legislative session
RICHMOND, Va. (April 23, 2025)—Today Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, released its 2025 Virginia Humane Scorecard. Now in its third consecutive year, the scorecard evaluates Virginia’s state lawmakers on their actions during the most recent legislative session to advance animal protection.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Those who are determined to defend the cruelties of factory farming are never at a loss when it comes to sowing chaos and distortion on the subject, especially in the U.S. Congress.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a pet store’s back room, a tiny brown-and-white Havanese puppy was vomiting and lethargic—and left entirely alone in a pen. On seeing her in that state, our undercover investigator alerted Puppy Heaven’s manager, urging that the dog needed to be seen by a veterinarian. When the staff refused, the investigator alerted law enforcement authorities, who insisted that the store manager take Cindy Lou to a veterinarian.
It was too late.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Every day of every year, we take meaningful action to create a better world for animals. In the U.S., our State Affairs team works across the country to help protect animals in a variety of ways. One of the most important involves partnering with elected officials, law enforcement agencies, individual advocates and other parties to ensure that animal welfare legislation is put into place and then properly enforced.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block