Animals & Politics

Pets & Cruelty, In the News  /  Sep 24, 2020

French bulldogs abandoned in airport warehouse highlight need for stronger enforcement against illegal puppy imports

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

It was a heartbreaking incident, by any measure. In August, authorities found more than a dozen dogs, mostly French Bulldogs, stranded for three days in their crates inside a warehouse at Chicago's O'Hare airport. They had no food and water and the crates, witnesses say, were caked in feces and urine. One dog had already died, another was seriously sick with parvovirus.

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Animals in Research, Equines, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Elections, Federal Legislation  /  Sep 24, 2020

Before you vote this year, where are your federal legislators on animal protection issues?

We’ve just posted the preview version of the Humane Society Legislative Fund 2020 Humane Scorecard, and we hope you’ll take a look. It’s a snapshot of each federal legislator’s record on animal issues for the second session of the 116th Congress. We’re rolling out the preview now since early voting is already underway in a number of states.

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Elections  /  Sep 22, 2020

On National Voter Registration Day, remember what’s at stake for animals

As part of our fundamental mission, we encourage members and supporters to advocate for animal protection legislation and related matters by contacting elected officials. But we also count on you to stand up for animals by casting your ballot in elections at the federal, state, and local levels. We know, and we’ve tried to show you, that it really makes a difference when animal welfare is on the line.

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  Sep 16, 2020

A U.S. Senator attacks states' efforts to end ivory trafficking, but progress continues on many fronts

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Since 2017, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has introduced a bill that would undermine America’s war on ivory trafficking by hindering the ability of states to create laws fighting this illegal trade. The full Senate did not consider the bill the last time, and more Americans than ever before now emphatically oppose ivory trafficking, but Sen. Sullivan apparently failed to get the message.

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Wildlife, In the News  /  Sep 15, 2020

New wolf pups on Isle Royale bring promise of recovery for a struggling population

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The first wolf pups in several years have been born on Isle Royale in Michigan, the National Park Service reported this week.

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Equines, Federal Legislation  /  Sep 10, 2020

New poll shows overwhelming support in Tennessee for ending horse soring with the PAST Act

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

More than 83% of Tennessee voters want Congress to end the terrible practice of soring walking horses and related breeds to win ribbons at competitions, a new Humane Society of the United States poll shows.

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Equines, Federal Legislation  /  Sep 09, 2020

Breaking news: Federal horse racing reform sprints ahead with key House committee vote

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Legislation to reform horse racing is in full gallop in Congress, with bipartisan members of the House and Senate joining forces to end the reckless drugging of horses and improve the safety of the tracks on which they run.

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation  /  Sep 01, 2020

USFWS director says federal protections for wolves will be removed by end of year

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency tasked with protecting American wildlife, is getting closer to allowing trophy hunters and cattle ranchers to open season on the gray wolf, one of our nation’s most iconic—as well as most persecuted—animals.

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Equines, Federal Legislation  /  Aug 31, 2020

Sen. Mitch McConnell will introduce bill to reform horse racing

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Days before the Kentucky Derby kicks off in his home state next week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced he will introduce a bill to reform horse racing. This is a promising development for the future of race horses in a sport that has increasingly come under a cloud because of the reckless doping of horses and a spate of horse deaths, drawing criticism not just from outside watchers but from trainers and other stakeholders within the industry.

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Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Elections, In the News  /  Aug 31, 2020

Chaos at the post office hurts animals and democracy alike

By Brad Pyle

The problems at the United States Postal Service have already had dire consequences for animals, and now they risk doing the same to the upcoming election. President Trump and the U.S. Congress must act to ensure that the postal system is operating at full capacity and with competency before the General Election to ensure the integrity of the outcome. 

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Wildlife  /  Aug 25, 2020

U.S. proposes more changes to chip away at Endangered Species Act

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The federal government has fired another volley in its assault on the Endangered Species Act, and this time it’s aimed at paving the way for corporations to take over lands that could, if conserved and restored, help in the recovery of imperiled American wildlife.

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Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News  /  Aug 19, 2020

USDA suspends license of roadside zoo where Joe Exotic abused tigers

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended the license of the roadside zoo where self-styled “Tiger King” Joe Exotic bred, held captive and mistreated hundreds of tigers and other wild animals for two decades.

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