Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
How did your Members of Congress score on animal protection issues in 2024?
Our final 2024 Humane Scorecard is available, with a look at where federal legislators stood on our core priorities for the second session of the 118th Congress. The scorecard tracks animal-friendly actions by lawmakers while creating greater awareness and increasing legislators’ support for our priorities.
Animals in Research, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
New audit knocks persistent USDA dog breeder inspection deficiencies
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Kansas raid cuts to the heart of cockfighting’s cruelty, and the need for action
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
You don’t need to see a cockfight in progress to comprehend the misery, suffering and death that animal fighting causes. All you need to do is look at the breeding operations that service the cockfighting industry—barren, dismal and hopeless places, every one of them—and there are thousands across the country, even though cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and under federal law.
Animals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Elections, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Action, the catalyst of our work to protect animals, is now part of our name
We have a new name—Humane World Action Fund—and an ambitious agenda, grounded in the mission we’ve pursued for several decades: to deliver positive and permanent policy outcomes for animals. We are as committed as ever to bringing laws into greater alignment with humane values—the values of kindness, compassion and fairness to all creatures. These are values we share with tens of millions of people not simply within the United States but throughout the world.
Wildlife, In the News /
What U.S. President Trump’s initial executive orders could mean for animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month for a second term, his administration has been issuing dozens of executive orders, some of which can have an impact on animals.
Elections /
Gearing up for 2025 elections
As we often say, every year is an election year. And every election gives us an opportunity to improve prospects for the lives of millions of animals. Last year, HSLF proudly supported 775 candidates up and down the ballot, and a substantial number of them—736, or 95%—won their races. Now, we’re ready to continue the fight in 2025, and we’re asking you to join us at the ballot box for animals, because with the new year comes a new set of elections for federal, state, and local offices.
Pets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
Undercover investigation of Nevada pet stores reveals truth behind puppy’s death
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.
Wildlife /
With enforcement, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act will show its teeth
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
With allies and supporters, we have been doing all that we can to keep more sharks swimming safely in oceans all over the world. For years, we advocated for the passage of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, which President Biden signed into law in December 2022, with strong bipartisan support.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Wolves score a win in the fight over their protections in the US
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a victory for wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently denied two petitions filed by trophy hunting organizations aimed at removing federal Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Western Great Lakes region and reducing or removing protections for wolves in other areas of the lower 48 states.
Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Remembering Jimmy Carter’s legacy—and upholding it
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Inevitably, the passing of an American president offers an opportunity to think not only about an individual’s achievements in office, but to reflect on what those achievements say about our nation, and who we are, and what we can be. In this regard, Jimmy Carter leaves one of the richest legacies of anyone who has ever occupied the White House.
Wildlife, Action Alerts /
Breaking: Grizzly bears will retain key Endangered Species Act protections
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
On Wednesday afternoon, in a move supporting the notion that the species needs more time to recover, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would not prematurely remove Endangered Species Act protections from grizzly bears living in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems—the two largest populations in the continental U.S. Wyoming and Montana had petitioned the agency to delist grizzly bears and turn the management of the animals over to the states.
Animals in Research, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, State Legislation /
Good news to start 2025: These state laws are now in place for animals in the U.S.
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.