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.

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

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.