Animals & Politics

Animals in Research, Pets & Cruelty  /  Jun 24, 2021

Animals deserve disaster preparedness plans, too. Here’s how you can help.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The past few years have shown how suddenly natural disasters and other emergencies can upend our lives. Take, for instance, recent severe hurricanes and wildfires, the early 2021 deep freeze in Texas or the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 crisis. Families everywhere have seen how crucial it is to have disaster plans in place for their loved ones.

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News  /  Jun 23, 2021

Death of chimp reveals tragic truth about primates kept as pets in America

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

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In the News  /  Jun 21, 2021

A new Day for our work

A merger is underway between the Doris Day Animal League and the Humane Society Legislative Fund and I could not be more excited since the two organizations have been the bedrock of my journey in animal protection. Not a day goes by when I do not think of how Doris Day’s dedication to animals has affected my own life and the work of the organization I now lead. I am thrilled and grateful that my HSLF colleagues and I have been entrusted to carry on and extend her tremendous legacy through the expansion of our advocacy programs. 

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Wildlife, In the News  /  Jun 17, 2021

Now is the time for countries across the world to ban fur

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Last week, Israel became the first country in the world to ban the sale of new fur products used for fashion. We want to share why this is meaningful progress for animals and for advocates around the globe fighting for a fur-free future.

A strong recognition of the inherent cruelty to animals in the fur trade

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Wildlife  /  Jun 16, 2021

Infamous trophy hunt shows what happens when gray wolves are stripped of protections

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  Jun 08, 2021

BREAKING NEWS: Senate votes to end shark fin sales in the U.S.

Today the U.S. Senate rejected the continuation of the shark fin trade by passing the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act (SFSEA) as part of a broader legislative package, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, S. 1260. This victory for sharks is overdue, as the international fin trade is forcing many of these apex species toward extinction.

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  Jun 08, 2021

Standing up for marine animals is the perfect way to celebrate World Oceans Day

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remain on our planet; fins from 73 million sharks are traded every year; warming waters render habitats increasingly unlivable for animals once at home there. Clearly, the status quo for the animals of our oceans urgently needs to change.

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Wildlife, In the News  /  Jun 04, 2021

Breaking: Biden administration takes steps to strengthen the Endangered Species Act

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

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Animals in Research, In the News, State Legislation  /  Jun 02, 2021

Beagle rescued from testing lab ‘is just so happy to be free’

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

A beautiful story came out over the weekend in the Washington Post about an 11-year-old beagle named Hammy. Adopted in 2013 after living in a research laboratory for his first four years of life, Hammy became the beloved pup of journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan.

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Equines, In the News  /  Jun 01, 2021

Drug scandal haunts the welfare of racehorses as Belmont Stakes approaches

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Update 6/2/2021: The split sample test has confirmed that Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit had betamethasone in his system, according to the New York Times. 

So far, the 2021 Triple Crown season has produced astonishing proof of how badly horse racing needs further regulation to ensure that horses aren’t being routinely and illegally drugged.

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Wildlife  /  May 26, 2021

The federal government must protect gray wolves before it’s too late

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

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Wildlife  /  May 21, 2021

How special interest groups are destroying the gray wolf

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Gray wolves used to thrive in most states in the U.S. and across Europe. Because of trophy hunting and habitat loss, wolves were extirpated from most states in the U.S. until the 1970s, when gray wolves were listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, giving them federal protections against being hunted.

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