Companion Animals
Florida high school shooter bragged about killing animals
Once again, our country is in collective mourning over a senseless, gruesome massacre at a school, this time in Parkland, Florida. As the mother of a high schooler myself, I am heartbroken and worried for every child, for every family, and for every community that . . .
As world watches Pyeongchang, HSI focuses attention on Korea’s grisly dog meat trade
By Kitty Block A new generation of heroes has emerged in South Korea, and they are my friends and colleagues. This weekend, as viewers around the world tuned in to watch skating, skiing, hockey, and other sports at the Winter Games, I waited for news . . .
Making progress for animals: a message from HSUS’ acting president and CEO
By Kitty Block Today, as the Winter Games begin in Pyeongchang, my colleagues in Humane Society International are on the ground in South Korea, extending their important work against the dog meat trade. Three years ago, The HSUS and HSI embarked on an important campaign . . .
Taking on a Mexican spectacle of cruelty
It is almost unfathomably monstrous, and it is repeated around the year, year after year, in the municipalities of Yucatan, Mexico. Men riding bulls goad the animals to chase horses in arenas. The bulls charge at the horses, injuring and eviscerating them. The horses, their . . .
Indonesia’s dog meat markets exposed in stomach-churning way
It’s a video that’s almost impossible to watch, even for those of us who’ve gritted their teeth and endured hundreds of videos through the years that put some malevolent form of animal cruelty on a computer screen or television. The Dog Meat Free Indonesia coalition, . . .
Federal food stamp program should, in a SNAP, allow pet food purchases
A heart-tugging issue has surfaced as lawmakers prepare to dig into details of the Farm Bill, a catchall package of items relating to agriculture and food policy in the United States. Should recipients of food stamps be allowed to purchase food for their hungry pets . . .
USDA ponders disastrous plan to allow self‑policing by licensed breeders, zoos, and researchers
After purging thousands of Animal Welfare Act inspection reports and violation notices that used to be available to the public and were searchable online, the political operatives who took over at the U.S. Department of Agriculture a year ago say they now want to turn . . .
Steady progress against puppy mills — 250 localities now ban sales of cats and dogs at pet stores
Last week, the city of Poulsbo, Washington, became the 250th locality in the United States to enact a law prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, unless the animals are sourced from shelters or rescues. Cities, towns, and counties of all sizes . . .
Biting cold an extraordinary threat to all animals
With weather systems delivering punishingly low temperatures – along with ice, snow, and wind – deaths from the cold cycle are mounting, including animal victims. Heartbreaking images on social media, of dogs left outside and frozen, are almost too much to bear. Yesterday, People.com reported . . .
California, again, ranks as the nation’s most humane state, while the Dakotas, Mississippi at bottom of list
According to our Humane State rankings for 2017, California remains the most humane state in the nation, comfortably ahead of number-two finisher Oregon and then Massachusetts, which has held the third position since 2016 when it approved a sweeping measure to restrict factory farming and . . .
A Humane Nation’s top 10 blogs of 2017
In 2017, there were some mean-spirited, aggressive attacks on animal welfare that stirred the conscience and passions of tens of millions of Americans – particularly the readers of A Humane Nation. These maneuvers made so many of us question the wisdom and judgment of some . . .
Federal action for animals mixed in 2017, as additional threats and opportunities loom
The HSUS pursues multi-channel reform efforts, and in 2017 we made extraordinary progress by pushing forward on a hundred fronts – in the federal courts, in protecting wolves, farm animals, and other creatures at risk of suffering or under threat; in legislatures throughout the world . . .
