Companion Animals
Puppy Protection Act brings hope for dogs languishing in puppy mills

In West Point, Iowa, a large-scale, commercial breeding facility called the Stonehenge Kennel contains more than 800 dogs. Here, since 2015, more than 100 dogs have been found sick or injured; some had open lesions and could barely walk. As recently as December 2022, the . . .
Nearly 200 dogs saved from slaughter as HSI shuts down 18th dog meat farm

Not long ago, our Humane Society International team in South Korea discovered yet another heartbreaking scene on a dog meat farm: Dozens and dozens of dogs were locked in feces-filled cages awaiting slaughter. Many were pregnant, days away from giving birth to puppies who would . . .
Major win: 450 local communities have banned the sale of puppies in pet stores

This week, Indianapolis became the 450th locality in the nation to prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. The passage of this ordinance also means that half of the 20 largest cities in the nation won’t allow puppy mill puppies to be . . .
Animal Rescue Team helps to rescue 176 cats in Mississippi

Early on Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, our Animal Rescue Team deployed to support local law enforcement agencies with an alleged neglect case involving nearly 200 cats in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. By day’s end, responders had removed 176 cats from three residential properties owned by one . . .
Rescued breeder dog lived a full, loving life after she was saved

Fighting the big fights for animals means that we are constantly working at an enormous scale to change thousands and thousands of lives—from securing the passage of animal protection laws and filing lawsuits on behalf of animals to conducting investigations and rescuing animals from crisis . . .
As harsh winter arrives and nearby war continues, here’s how we’re helping homeless animals in Romania

Humane Society International is partnering with local animal organizations to provide veterinary services to the most underserved communities across Romania. Our work in this country has always been important, but since war broke out in Ukraine, aid in this region has become especially essential as . . .
New Animal Welfare Act regulations would improve the lives of so many animals in need

In the years since its passage more than half a century ago, the Animal Welfare Act has become an extremely important and multi-faceted animal protection law. Building on its original premise as a measure to protect animals used in research, testing and education, the AWA’s . . .
In major step forward for animal welfare in Mexico, Tlaxcala recognizes animal cruelty as a crime

One of the great honors of being able to work toward a more humane world through our family of organizations is witnessing how public sentiments toward animals are changing across the globe. In North America, we work across the continent to effect change for animals. . . .
2022 was a winning year in our fight to stop puppy mills

If you’ve been following our advocacy for dogs and cats in puppy and kitten mills, you already know that these mega-breeding facilities treat dog and cat mothers and fathers like moneymaking machines with little to no regard for their health or well-being. Thankfully, each year, . . .
2023 federal spending package reflects solid commitment to animal welfare

Update 12/29/22: President Biden has signed the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations package into law—a big win for animals! We’ve had remarkable success in our end-of-session push for critical legislation in the U.S. Congress, with the Big Cat Public Safety Act, Shark Fin Sales Elimination . . .
Breaking: In major blow to puppy mills, New York ends the sale of puppies in pet stores

In a crushing blow to puppy mills and their pet store sales outlets, New York just became the sixth state in the U.S. to prohibit the sale of puppies in pet stores. Dozens of puppy-selling pet stores—about 10% of all such stores in the nation—currently . . .
Making the joys of pet ownership available to all

In one of the most pervasive inequities across the U.S., tens of millions of families with pets struggle to gain access to care and resources for their companion animals. We believe that a deep connection with pets transcends boundaries of socioeconomics, race, ethnicity and geography, . . .