Public Policy (Legal/Legislative)
Policymakers Hamper Progress for Animals
It is amazing to me how often the U.S. Congress works not only against common sense, but also contrary to the national interest. Take two trade-related issues currently being debated and deliberated upon in that body: importation of sport-hunted polar bear trophies, and the trade in . . .
Progress for Ohio’s Puppy Mills
Today, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation, 89 to 5, to crack down on puppy mills. The bill is short of what we want it to be, but it marks progress, with the Senate expected to concur later this month and send it to . . .
In Wake of Election, Time to Pass Animal Welfare Reforms
The United States has completed its always momentous quadrennial presidential election, which in this case produced spending exceeding $2 billion between the campaigns, super PACs and other outside spenders. Thousands of other races decided at the federal, state, and local levels cost billions more when aggregated. . . .
Your Vote Counts for Animals
Today is an important day for any civil and democratic society, as private citizens vote, in free and fair elections, for individuals to serve our society in local, state, and federal offices, and, in some states, for initiatives or referenda relating to taxes, social issues, . . .
55 Actions to Help Animals and The HSUS
Perhaps the number-one question I get in my travels and meeting with our supporters is, “How can I get more involved with The HSUS and with the cause of animal protection?” Today, here’s an updated and expanded guide to help you or people you know get involved.
The Empire (State) Strikes Back – Against Animal Fighting
New York officially closes a major loophole in its animal fighting laws this week, and it comes months after The HSUS and our friends at the New York State Humane Association partnered to enact legislation to strip animal fighters of the necessary tools for their . . .
Californians Can Protect Animals and Support Law Enforcement by Passing Proposition 30
At The HSUS, we spend a lot of energy working to secure the passage of meaningful reforms to state laws around the country—believing that when the laws reflect our values, animals not only benefit, but that our society becomes increasingly more humane. Gov. Brown's dog, . . .
The 10 Most Important State Laws Enacted for Animals in 2012
The HSUS works for all animals, and on so many fronts—building public awareness, driving corporate progress, and conducting hands-on care of animals in crisis. We also work to see that laws are enforced and to lobby for stronger animal welfare policies. Photo: Ray Eubanks There . . .
Third-Quarter Favorites: Protecting Dogs, Horses, Pigs, and Animals in Labs
I like to look ahead on the blog, report on major action items, take on our critics, or opine on a major fault line or controversy within our field. It’s also my custom, each quarter, to look back and provide a summary of which blogs . . .
More Progress on Gestation Crates, and Uncovering the ‘Ham Scam’
It is an axiom in the world of business management that “the customer is always right.” The pork sector apparently doesn’t subscribe to that principle. The industry’s leadership continues to deride its biggest buyers, most of which are declaring that they want to eliminate gestation . . .
Reckless Bill in Congress Would Harm Polar Bears and the Environment
Make no mistake, there’s a lot of support for animal issues in the U.S. Congress. The anti-animal fighting bill, H.R. 2492, making it a federal crime to be a spectator at animal fights has 226 cosponsors (a majority of the House), and the Senate version . . .
110 Chimpanzees from New Iberia Research Center Will Be Safe from Testing
Today, we received a telling sign that the United States will soon see the end of invasive experiments on chimpanzees, bringing to a close a long, sad, and inhumane chapter in the history of American science and public health. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the . . .
