Archive for 2020
Breaking news: Missouri votes to open first black bear trophy hunt in decades
Missouri, a state that once nearly wiped out its black bear population, has clearly failed to learn from its mistakes. This morning, the four-member Missouri Department of Conservation Commission, made up of political appointees, voted unanimously to allow trophy hunters to kill its black bears . . .
In 2020, we helped disband a trophy hunters’ advisory panel, retained protections for grizzly bears and ended more wildlife killing contests
Trophy hunting is a cruel and dangerous pastime that is pushing some of the world’s most iconic animals closer to extinction, and the Humane Society family of organizations has put our might behind stopping it. In the past four years we have encountered tremendous challenges . . .
Missouri to vote this Friday on opening black bear hunt
The Missouri state wildlife commission will vote this Friday on whether to allow trophy hunters to target the state’s small and still-recovering black bear population. If the proposal passes, up to 500 individuals could get permits to kill bears, including cubs unaccompanied by their mothers. . . .
In 2020 we continued to make advances against puppy mills with new laws, enforcement and closures
Despite the pandemic, our fight against puppy mills continued full throttle in 2020. We won several important legal and legislative battles against these commercial enterprises that keep large numbers of dogs in sordid conditions, and we continued to raise awareness about problem mills through our . . .
Dropping demand put fur in free fall in 2020
The year 2020 has seen phenomenal progress in our work to end the use of fur. Nations moved to announce an end to fur production and/or sales, citing the “immoral” nature of this trade that results in the suffering and death of millions of animals . . .
U.S. House passes bill to prohibit keeping big cats as pets and for public contact
The U.S. House has just passed a bill to prohibit public contact with big cats like tigers, lions and leopards as well as ban the possession of these animals as pets. The measure, which now awaits action in the Senate, has the potential to stop . . .
Victory! New Department of Transportation rule says airlines cannot ban certain breeds of service dogs
The Department of Transportation has just finalized a rule that prohibits airlines from banning pit-bull-type dogs and certain other breeds from serving as service animals on flights. The Humane Society family of organizations has long opposed breed bans because they are unscientific and discriminate against . . .
Commercial fishing gear has driven right whales to the brink of extinction. We are asking the U.S. for emergency protections
With fewer than 360 North Atlantic right whales surviving on earth today, the clock is ticking for these marine mammals. Today, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund, along with our coalition partners, asked the National Marine Fisheries Service to . . .
In 2020, we continued to make tremendous progress for animals; support our lifesaving work this Giving Tuesday
Each December, we round up some of the year’s most notable successes in carrying on the fight for animal protection. For the next several weeks, alongside breaking news about animals and our efforts to protect them, I will bring you our top animal protection victories . . .
Three Chicago pet stores continue to sell fake ‘rescue’ dogs; one caught buying directly from breeder
For some years now, we have been keeping a close eye on three Chicago pet stores that have been finding their way around a city ordinance that prohibits the sales of commercially raised dogs and cats in pet stores to fight the problem of puppy . . .
At the Black Beauty Ranch, Anna Sewell’s words guide a culture of love and caring for horses and other rescued animals
This Friday, with the release of Disney’s “Black Beauty,” a new generation of moviegoers will be introduced to Anna Sewell’s beloved story of a horse who goes from a carefree life as a foal to one filled with troubles before returning home to peace and . . .
Holidays highlight the importance of pets in our lives
The presence of pets has been one of the silver linings during the pandemic for so many millions of Americans. A recent, evocative NPR story delved into the joys and comforts of such companionship at a time when people are isolated at home and less . . .
