Public Policy (Legal/Legislative)
Breaking: Major wins for sharks and other wild animals in key legislative package
Update 12/23/22: President Biden has signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, which removes the U.S. from the cruel shark fin trade and helps to combat wildlife trafficking. There have been some massive wins for animals recently in the U.S., as the Congress acts . . .
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 . . .
Major win! US Senate passes the Big Cat Public Safety Act
Update 12/20/22: President Biden signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act into law. In a major advance in our long fight against the abuse of captive big cats, the U.S. Senate just passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263/ S. 1210), a bill . . .
Endangered Species Act proposal would be a win for elephants
There’s a golden opportunity to help protect African elephants now that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new Endangered Species Act rule. If finalized, the new rule would better regulate imports of African elephants and their parts, like hunting trophies, to the . . .
As the House votes to stop soring of horses, it’s PAST time
On the House floor Monday night, the House of Representatives voted 304 to 111 to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act into law. With just a few weeks remaining in the 117th Congress, getting a vote in the Senate will take some effort. . . .
Pigs’ day in (the Supreme) Court
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about Proposition 12, California’s landmark law to address animal cruelty and public health issues stemming from the worst factory farming practices, such as confining pregnant pigs in gestation crates so small they can hardly move. Jon Lovvorn, . . .
Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court just heard arguments in historic case for animals
Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the most consequential law ever passed in relation to the treatment of farm animals, California’s Proposition 12. Passed by voters in 2018, Proposition 12 bans the extreme confinement of mother pigs, egg-laying hens and baby calves, and . . .
We’re honoring lawmakers for their efforts to save sharks and end the shark fin trade
At a time when bipartisanship can be unpredictable in politics, it’s particularly gratifying to recognize four lawmakers who have joined together to advance one of the most urgent animal protection measures in the Congress, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. This week, we’re honoring Senate . . .
New law aims to ensure that no family must choose between their pet and their home
Throughout the country, millions of people are experiencing a devastating housing crisis—and people with pets face special hardships when searching for a place to live. It’s still far too common that some rental properties have arbitrary restrictions about the allowed breeds or weight of companion . . .
Putting the ‘USDA Organic’ label on a stronger animal welfare path
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments on its proposed Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule, which is a great opportunity to address farm animal welfare. We’re pushing hard for this landmark federal regulation to become final because the rule, which is . . .
All the great progress in our fight against puppy mills this summer
Summer is a time of rest and relaxation for many of us, but there has been no lull in our fight to end puppy mills. We have made real progress in our campaign to stop inhumane dog breeders who mass-produce puppies for sale through third-party . . .
We’ve filed a new lawsuit because wolves in the Northern Rockies need help now
Less than two years after Wisconsin held one of the cruelest and most disastrous trophy hunting seasons in recent memory, wolves across most of the country will enjoy a desperately needed reprieve this fall because of our successful lawsuit that restored their federal Endangered Species . . .
