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Federal Legislation /
New law increases availability of service dogs for veterans with PTSD
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
President Biden recently signed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, which increases the number of service dogs available to support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and related conditions. We’re elated at the thought that more veterans will have access to the healing benefits of the human-animal bond, and that a decade of advocacy for this kind of program has culminated in this positive progress.
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+ Read MoreAnimals in Research, In the News /
In major win for animals, Mexico bans animal testing for cosmetics
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Even in our age of advanced technologies, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats continue to have chemicals and substances forced down their throats, dripped into their eyes or slathered on their skin to satisfy new regulatory demands that undercut progress against cosmetic animal testing. That’s why we put so much effort into legislative and regulatory change—removing the driver for new animal testing and ultimately banning it.
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+ Read MoreElections /
Why animal advocates oppose the California recall
With voting underway in the California recall election, the Humane Society Legislative Fund and animal advocates throughout California are standing fast in opposition to efforts to recall Governor Newsom. As California’s Governor, Newsom has a long track record of supporting the advancement of animal welfare—and has earned the support of humane-minded individuals.
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+ Read MoreEquines /
HPA offenders at national walking horse event make clear the need for federal reform
Every year in late August, the hardcore faction of the Tennessee walking horse industry descends on Shelbyville, TN for the breed’s multi-day pinnacle event known as the “National Celebration.” This is the gang that favors the artificial, pain-based high-stepping gait known as the “big lick,” and every year brings shocking revelations of how deeply entrenched the practice of “soring” horses to win blue ribbons has become, as well as the lengths to which big lick enthusiasts will go to evade the law and its punishments.
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+ Read MorePets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
From “pet” cougars to flooding victims, animal rescue requires preparation
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
On Sunday, Hurricane Ida slammed into the Gulf Coast, 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. Our Animal Rescue and Response team moved toward the strike zone, ready to assist animals in need. Bringing together supplies, equipment and personnel to support emergency response agencies in their relief efforts, we operate within a web of agreements that bind us to disaster response entities at all levels. It’s critical for us to be ready to go the moment authorities ask for our help.
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+ Read MoreWildlife /
As assaults against wolves mount, Biden Administration misses the mark
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Our nation’s assault on wildlife has been going on for centuries, with a staggering toll of animal loss that dates back to our colonial past. Over those hundreds of years, you’d be hard-pressed to identify a more vilified and persecuted species than the wolf. Today, the campaign that began with farmers and other private landowners baiting, shooting, and trapping wolves has morphed into the institutionalized trophy hunting, bounty killing and government-sponsored predator-control practices that account for their slaughter.
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+ Read MoreEquines, Wildlife, Federal Legislation, In the News /
Here’s what the infrastructure bill could mean for animals
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson
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+ Read MoreElections /
Eric Adams, animal advocate, for New York City mayor
By Brad Pyle
A few weeks ago, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams won the New York City Democratic Mayoral primary race. With an easy path to victory in the general election, and as the top official in America’s most populous city, Adams will be one of the most influential politicians in America. As it happens, New York is home to many animal protection advocates and has long been at the forefront of the animal protection movement. So has Adams, and he has a record to prove it—one that animal protection advocates around the country can celebrate.
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+ Read MoreAnimals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
Senate Ag Approps package preserves key gains on horse slaughter, soring, and Animal Welfare Act enforcement
Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the Fiscal Year 2022 Agriculture Appropriations bill following the House passage of its version last week. The Senate bill and accompanying committee report contain some important highlights for animals, notably for enforcement of laws including the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
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+ Read MorePets & Cruelty, Federal Legislation /
What ending the eviction moratorium could mean for families with pets
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 8/27/21: the Supreme Court issued an opinion yesterday ending the CDC order which extended the eviction moratorium in areas of substantial and high transmission of COVID-19 until October 3, 2021. The Humane Society family of organizations remains concerned about what this could mean for millions of Americans and their pets and will continue to urge elected officials to pass immediate measures to keep protections in place for these households.
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+ Read MoreAnimals in Research, Equines, Farm Animals, Pets & Cruelty, Wildlife, Federal Legislation /
U.S. House passes minibus package chock full of animal protection measures
Today’s approval of H.R. 4502, a package of appropriations bills funding key federal agencies, offers dramatic evidence of the success we’ve achieved through our laser-like focus on the federal budgeting process.
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+ Read MoreWildlife, Federal Legislation /
Congress raises the ante in the fight against wildlife markets and trafficking
With unprecedented focus on the dangers that wildlife markets and wildlife trafficking pose to human health and animal welfare worldwide, the U.S. House of Representatives upped its ante yesterday by passing an appropriations package with strong language targeting the twinned threats.
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