State Legislation

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Fur production in the U.S. is plummeting, and that’s good news for animals. Every five years, as part of the U.S. Census, the U.S. Department of Agriculture releases data on mink farms in the country. The newly released numbers show that in 2017, 236 mink fur farms existed in the U.S. Five years later, only 110 mink fur farms remained. With the speed of this decline, we believe even more mink farms have closed in the last year.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

The Humane Society of the United States' blog recently covered the benefits of reducing the consumption of animal products both for farmed animals and for the climate. But there are many other potential beneficiaries of a revamping of how animals are bred and farmed in various contexts, from ranches to fur farms. Here are some of the wild animals who suffer because of animal agriculture:

Wolves

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

Each year, the Humane Society Legislative Fund reflects on the progress in animal protection made at the state and federal levels on animal protection through their federal and state scorecards. In 2023, Texas legislators rose to the occasion and passed five crucial pro-animal bills which are now law in the state.

As we come to the end of 2023, we reflect on the legislative and political progress made by our movement for animals. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed four animal protection bills this year. These newly passed laws will expand veterinary access, keep families and pets together during extreme weather events, and support alternatives to animal testing methods. Each law is a humane accomplishment to celebrate—and we should ask ourselves who made their passage possible.