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Farm Animals /
Pigs’ day in (the Supreme) Court
By Jon Lovvorn
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about Proposition 12, California’s landmark law to address animal cruelty and public health issues stemming from the worst factory farming practices, such as confining pregnant pigs in gestation crates so small they can hardly move. Jon Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief counsel for our Animal Protection Law department, sat at the counsel table in support of Proposition 12. Here he reflects on what this moment in history means for the animal protection movement.
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+ Read MoreFarm Animals, In the News /
Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court just heard arguments in historic case for animals
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the most consequential law ever passed in relation to the treatment of farm animals, California’s Proposition 12. Passed by voters in 2018, Proposition 12 bans the extreme confinement of mother pigs, egg-laying hens and baby calves, and outlaws the sale of pork, eggs and veal sourced from extreme confinement.
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+ Read MoreFederal Legislation /
Do your federal legislators measure up on animal welfare? Use the Humane Scorecard to find out
Accountability is key to our efforts to secure the passage of animal-friendly federal legislation. We are accountable to our supporters as well as to the animals we seek to defend, and we never forget who we’re working for. We also work continuously to hold elected officials accountable for their track records wherever the interests of animals are concerned. Our annual Humane Scorecard is a tool to gauge where members of the House and Senate stand on our core priorities, and its publication makes their records plain to the world.
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+ Read MoreEquines, Federal Legislation /
PAST Act wins strong bipartisan approval in Energy and Commerce Committee, setting stage for full House vote on soring
By a 46-9 vote today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 5441), setting the stage for congressional leaders to bring it to the House floor quickly for a vote. The bill, which currently has 261 sponsors and strong support from both parties, would amend the federal Horse Protection Act to eliminate industry-self policing, ban soring devices and strengthen penalties for soring, a furtive practice in which dishonest trainers use painful techniques to induce an artificially high-stepping gait in show horses to win prizes.
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+ Read MoreWildlife, Federal Legislation /
We’re honoring lawmakers for their efforts to save sharks and end the shark fin trade
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
At a time when bipartisanship can be unpredictable in politics, it’s particularly gratifying to recognize four lawmakers who have joined together to advance one of the most urgent animal protection measures in the Congress, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.
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+ Read MoreElections /
Are you #VoteReady? Tuesday, September 20 is National Voter Registration Day
Humane advocates who use their right to vote stand at the heart of our mission to end the suffering of animals—just as the right to vote is itself foundational to American democracy.
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+ Read MoreFarm Animals, Action Alerts /
Putting the ‘USDA Organic’ label on a stronger animal welfare path
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments on its proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule, which is a great opportunity to address farm animal welfare. We’re pushing hard for this landmark federal regulation to become final because the rule, which is over twenty years in the making, would strengthen animal welfare standards on organic farms.
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+ Read MorePets & Cruelty, Action Alerts, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
All the great progress in our fight against puppy mills this summer
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
Summer is a time of rest and relaxation for many of us, but there has been no lull in our fight to end puppy mills. We have made real progress in our campaign to stop inhumane dog breeders who mass-produce puppies for sale through third party outlets like pet stores and online sites that allow their cruelty to remain hidden. Here’s a roundup of recent wins:
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+ Read MoreWildlife, Federal Legislation, State Legislation /
We’ve filed a new lawsuit because wolves in the Northern Rockies need help now
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
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+ Read MoreFarm Animals, State Legislation /
Breaking: More experts join forces in key U.S. Supreme Court case for animals
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
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+ Read MoreElections /
Candidates hit the campaign trail and animal protection advocates can join them
We are in the midst of the August recess—a traditional break in the DC legislative calendar for members of Congress and their staff to work from their congressional districts or in state. The halls of Congress are much quieter, with elected officials in their home districts and many legislative aides juggling their vacations with constituent work. Residents of Washington, D.C. even notice the lighter traffic and smaller crowds across the city.
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+ Read MoreState Legislation /
2022 Maryland Humane Scorecard - Do your state lawmakers measure up on animal welfare?
Since 2006, with the primary goal of advancing federal animal protection legislation, the Humane Society Legislative Fund has published the Humane Scorecard to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships, and other actions of federal lawmakers. It’s popular with our supporters, and it’s influential with legislators who know the value of a higher score.
Given the success of the scorecard, and with so much at stake for animals in state capitols, we’ve now started tracking key animal protection votes by state legislators.
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