Farm Animals

The results are in! Our final 2023 Humane Scorecard is now available, providing a snapshot of where federal legislators stood on our core priorities for the first session of the 118th Congress.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Inscribing the humane treatment of animals into our laws takes years, and so we are heartened by some key measures at the state level taking effect in 2024, which are the result of so much rallying and advocacy, and which will contribute to shaping the humane world we envision.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

As the New Year dawns, we rightly celebrate the dozens of humane laws taking effect in 2024, signs of a better day for animals everywhere. Those laws address a range of animal protection concerns including pet store sales of puppies from puppy mills, the use of animals in toxicity testing, direct contact with dangerous wild animals, and humane standards for dogs living outdoors.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The fight for public policy gains for animals at the federal level is not for the faint of heart nor the weak of spirit. Every day, in every congressional session, it’s an all-out battle to secure humane laws and regulations. Whatever we achieve, we achieve against determined opposition, including special interest groups with deep pockets, and 2023 was no exception. This was a banner year for rulemaking and key legislative work that made a difference.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

May 11, 2023, stands out as historic for animal protection: On that day, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision upholding California’s Proposition 12, the nation’s strongest farm animal protection law, a move that rejected the pork industry’s challenge to the law.

Each year, we use the Humane Scorecard to provide a snapshot of some key animal protection issues and this year is no different. There are many new members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in the 118th Congress who need to see the importance of animals in our communities—and there’s still time.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block