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
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
The American Kennel Club turns 140 years old this week. Its tagline is “For the love of all things dog.” Nothing could be more misleading.
The 2024 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online and clearly demonstrates that Virginia is for animal lovers. State lawmakers passed eight pieces of anti-cruelty legislation, all of which were signed into law by the Governor. Thanks to the actions of advocates and legislators, the use of bullhooks on elephants is prohibited, pet stores must now comply with federal consumer credit law, and publicly-funded animal testing facilities will be further investigated.
The 2024 Maryland Humane Scorecard is now available online. This year, lawmakers passed a notable victory that will prohibit travelling acts from using bears, big cats, elephants, and non-human primates in the state. We at HSLF celebrate this victory, but we also recognize that overall, we saw a lack of progress on animal issues in the 2024 session.
