Archive for 2012
World’s Major Religions Call for Compassion for Animals
There’s a widely articulated concern among many of the world’s leading religious authorities that human beings have definite and very meaningful responsibilities to animals and that all animals should be protected from cruelty. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict the XVI, spoke out against factory farming, . . .
Drugged Horses on Dinner Menu?
The export of North American horses to Europe for the meat trade has found its way into the headlines, for reasons other than animal welfare. And rightly so — the industry poses a potentially serious risk to human health and safety. Kathy Milani/The HSUSTens of . . .
Farm Animal Protection Ideas Have Gone Mainstream
“The Humane Society of the United States is almost single-handedly changing the way farmers feed America’s appetite for bacon, ribs, holiday hams and other pork products,” wrote reporter Philip Brasher in today’s edition of Roll Call. Indeed, this has been a remarkable year of progress on farm animal . . .
Internet Star Turn for Billy, Rescued Puppy Mill Chihuahua
With increasing frequency, the amazing work of the Humane Society of the United States videographers goes viral, and today it is a video about Billy, a rescued puppy mill dog from North Carolina adopted by Adam Parascandola, the director of animal cruelty investigations. The video . . .
Closing the Loophole for Animal Fight Spectators
Animal fighting is, in terms of global industries that cause harm to animals, among the most morally indefensible and corrupt practices — with trade in animals and implements in the hundreds of millions of dollars; wagering in the billions; international competitions; and a phalanx of . . .
Fostering Marks Current Phase of Sandy Response
Two Staten Island friends, happy to be reunited. Just a little more than a month ago, when Sandy hit the East Coast, The Humane Society of the United States responded by rushing into some of the hardest-hit areas. With more than 100 staff and volunteers . . .
Policymakers Hamper Progress for Animals
It is amazing to me how often the U.S. Congress works not only against common sense, but also contrary to the national interest. Take two trade-related issues currently being debated and deliberated upon in that body: importation of sport-hunted polar bear trophies, and the trade in . . .
The HSUS Works for Animals and Family Farmers
Our adversaries in industrialized agriculture want to frame the animal protection debate in static, black-and-white terms. They want to position all animal advocates as opponents of farming. They want to be judge and jury when it comes to best practices. They pillory animal advocates, and . . .
Launch of HSI India Draws Big Names and Big Goals for Animals
I have enduring recollections of my guest appearances on Oprah and Ellen, partly because their very public affirmations of animal protection made me feel our cause was ascendant. I had that same feeling today in Mumbai, as Humane Society International launched its India office at . . .
Unless We Act Now, Iconic African Lion Will Disappear
Ask a classroom full of kids, anywhere in the United States, what their favorite animal is and odds are someone will mention the African lion — the so-called “King of the Beasts.” Unfortunately for these children, by the time they are adults, this iconic predator may . . .
Protecting Animals in India No Small Task
As I’ve traveled throughout India over the last week or so, I’ve seen that the lives of people and animals are as intertwined as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Dogs live, in enormous numbers, on streets and sidewalks choked with people. Stray cats roam in great . . .
Talk Back: End the Wolf Hunts
The news for bears and wolves, I’m afraid to report, isn’t good — in fact, it’s damn distressing. The Obama Administration has endorsed a perfectly miserable federal bill, S. 3525, that is a grab-bag for the hunting lobby, and Congress seems hell-bent on passing the . . .
