Public Policy (Legal/Legislative)
Our Top Achievements for Dogs and Cats, at Home and Abroad
The HSUS’ visionary founders did not want to duplicate the work of the local animal shelters. They wanted to complement and augment that work by professionalizing the field and taking on problems beyond the reach of local organizations. In the early years, when it came . . .
The Videos That Animal Abusers Don’t Want You to See
If you don’t think video of animals, and specifically of animal cruelty, has the power to drive social reform and behavior changes, then take note of what happened this year in nearly a dozen state legislatures in 2013. From California to Indiana to Tennessee to . . .
Our Top 13 Transformational Achievements in 2013
The HSUS and its affiliates are the nation’s number-one provider of animal care, through the work of our animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers, Animal Rescue Team, Pets for Life program, wildlife response units, veterinary division, international street dog defenders, and other hands-on programs. This year, . . .
A Royal Pain
The relentless efforts of Rep. Steve King, R-IA, to incorporate a grossly overreaching amendment to the Farm Bill arrived at a significant juncture yesterday when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack added his voice to the growing chorus of opponents. Calling it “troublesome,” Vilsack said that the . . .
Great News for Great Apes
Last night, the Senate gave final approval to a bill – backed by The HSUS and the National Institutes of Health – that will provide millions in federal funding to assist with the transfer of chimpanzees from laboratories to sanctuaries. Passing this legislation was essential . . .
A New Sheriff in Town
On many occasions, I have written about our collaboration with our nation’s law enforcement professionals in our efforts to stop animal cruelty and abuse. So I was delighted to see that this month’s edition of Deputy and Court Officer—the magazine of the National Sheriffs' Association—is . . .
Auction, Action, Traction for Chimps
Back in August we held a very special art contest that created quite a stir in the press – it was a first-ever contest focused on chimpanzee art. And by chimpanzee art, we don’t mean paintings of chimpanzees, we mean paintings by chimpanzees. Now, after much . . .
Judgment Day in Congress on Animal Issues
The 41 Senators and Representatives selected to serve on the conference committee for the Farm Bill met for the first time today, with opening statements from all the members. Two critical measures – one good, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act; and one bad, the . . .
Lead-ing the Way in California
Bullets should not keep killing long after they’ve left the barrel of a firearm. Soon, in California, they won’t. In an act that will have major national reverberations for hunting and ammunitions manufacturing in the United States, Gov. Jerry Brown today signed legislation to make . . .
States Take Steps to Prevent Zombie Deer and Poisoned Condors
In recent days, decision-makers in two of our largest states gave the thumbs-up to critical policies designed to prevent the incidental death and destruction of wildlife – one, in California, to stop the random, mass poisoning of wildlife by phasing out the dispersal of lead . . .
USDA Announces Landmark Rule to Crack Down on Online Puppy Mills
Tens of thousands of dogs suffering in substandard, filthy, and overcrowded cages for years on end will finally get the protection they deserve as a result of a rule the U.S. Department of Agriculture will formally adopt today. This change, a long-held aspiration for The . . .
King Delivers Legislative Kudzu in Farm Bill
As members of Congress leave Washington today and return to their districts for the August recess, opposition to the Farm Bill amendment introduced by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, is swelling. The King amendment is a sort of legislative kudzu, so invasive and dangerous it could . . .
