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Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Good news: Big Cat Public Safety Act rules are now a reality
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
For over a decade, we have been fighting hard to prevent the suffering and abuse of captive big cats, confronting a dangerous industry and the individuals who take advantage of these animals. And we celebrated in December of last year when President Biden signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law.
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+ Read MoreEquines, In the News /
In historic move, Churchill Downs suspends racing after 12 horses die at the track
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
On June 2, Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, suspended horse racing upon the recommendation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horses died in a span of a few weeks at the track.
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+ Read MoreWildlife, Federal Legislation /
It’s time to put an end to mink farming
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY) has just introduced a bill that responds to growing concerns about the public health threat posed by mink fur factory farms. The Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act (‘‘Mink VIRUS Act”), H.R. 3783, seeks to prohibit the farming of mink in the U.S.
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+ Read MoreAnimals in Research, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Alternatives to animal experiments are shaping the future of science
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
For years our undercover investigations at U.S. animal research laboratories have helped to raise awareness about the immense animal suffering caused by animal testing and experimentation. Pregnant rabbits are force-fed toxic pesticides. Cats have their spinal cords damaged and are forced to run on treadmills. Rats are placed in small tubes and made to inhale cigarette smoke.
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+ Read MoreEquines, Federal Legislation /
There is simply no way to make horse slaughter humane
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 6/16/23: The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The U.S. still exports tens of thousands of horses to slaughter. It’s well past time we permanently ban domestic horse slaughter in the U.S. and stop the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.
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+ Read MorePets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
Revealed: 100 reprehensible U.S. puppy mills in Horrible Hundred report
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a photo taken by a state inspector, a dog stands looking away from the camera, her tail pointing down. At first glance, this image may seem like a sweet photo because of the boxer’s soft brown eyes and emotional expression. But farther up in the frame, the dog’s body tells a different story. Her ribs jut out; her hip bones and spinal column are starkly visible. And just beside her emaciated body is a pile of five tiny puppies sleeping next to an empty bowl.
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+ Read MoreFarm Animals, In the News /
Breaking: Supreme Court upholds strongest farm animal protection law in U.S.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
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+ Read MoreEquines, Federal Legislation /
Breaking: U.S. Congress has new chance to stop horse soring
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update March 21, 2024: The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act has just been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate as S. 4004 by Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Mark Warner, D-Va., with 48 other original cosponsors—that’s half the Senate! The parallel House bill, H.R. 3090, now has 241 co-sponsors, more than a majority in that chamber. It’s high time to enact the PAST Act and end the indefensible cruelty to horses known as “soring.”
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+ Read MoreEquines, Federal Legislation /
For horses in the Kentucky Derby, change can't come soon enough
By Keith Dane
Update 5/8/23: A total of seven horses died at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to and on the day of the Kentucky Derby, and five horses were scratched. In light of these facts, it is shocking that the race was even run. Lives are on the line: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act must be fully implemented and enforced immediately. Anyone seeking to delay such protections for horses cares nothing at all for the welfare of these animals.
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+ Read MoreElections, State Legislation /
Calling all Virginians – Where do your state legislators stand on animal protection?
The 2023 Virginia Humane Scorecard is now available online, and we encourage voters to use it as a tool when they approach the ballot box this year. Holding legislators accountable to humane interests is critical as we strive to make our voices louder than those of the trophy hunters, factory farmers, and puppy mill lobbyists.
By uniting behind candidates who know the stakes for the most vulnerable among us, we can work towards a cruelty-free world.
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+ Read MoreWildlife, Federal Legislation /
Breaking: New threats to grizzlies, wolves and Endangered Species Act emerge in Congress
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources voted in favor of six bills and resolutions that threaten to remove protections from grizzly bears and gray wolves and weaken the Endangered Species Act. This “grab bag” of danger includes:
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+ Read MorePets & Cruelty, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
New progress in fight against puppy mills shows caring about companion animals is a nonpartisan issue
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In a country where political tempers often run hot, agreement can seem incredibly rare. But, regardless of party affiliation, a consensus is emerging that our companion animals should be treated with basic decency—and this is not how kitten and puppy mills treat dogs and cats.
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