Talk Back: Readers Release the Hounds
Last week, Fox 5 in Atlanta aired an exposé of fox pens. Reader responses rolled in, ranging from disgust for the practice to defense of it. Among the comments we received: Thank you so much for addressing this issue. About a year ago, I read . . .
Exotic Animal Import a Risky Business
Exotic pets may be beautiful, but the trade that gets them here is far from benign. Hundreds of thousands of wild animals—squirrels and rats from Africa and Asia, small carnivores from South America, birds, reptiles and amphibians from around the globe, and fish from coral . . .
Taking Stock for Animals
The Humane Society of the United States focuses its work in four major areas: public policy and enforcement of laws, public education (including our extensive youth education programs), hands-on care, and corporate policy reforms. Our work on the corporate policy front is among our most . . .
Hunting Extremes Shoot Sport in the Foot
Last week, I wrote about how an agribusiness industry lobbyist said that I and The HSUS were the greatest threat to animal agribusiness. I said he was guilty of hyperbole, but did concede we are a serious threat to factory farming and specifically to farm . . .
Bleatings from the Ag Lobby
Before The Humane Society of the United States helped to pass laws in Arizona, Florida and Oregon to ban some of the most inhumane confinement methods on factory farms, there were virtually no legal standards to provide even the most minimal protections for animals raised . . .
Talk Back: Common Cause
Readers responded to the blog about compassion for animals being a universal value and the new book by Mark Levin, an influential conservative, about his love for dogs and his concern for animal welfare. Thank you for positively reinforcing the interconnectedness of all… can’t wait . . .
Evidence Against Science’s Scare Tactics
One of the most frustrating industries to deal with in all animal protection is the animal research community. Although there are many scientists who care about animal welfare, demagogues abound within this fraternity, and they are the masters of Chicken Little scare tactics, as if . . .
Penned Prey
Last night, Randy Travis of Fox 5 in Atlanta aired part two of his investigation into so-called fox pens—enclosures where foxes and coyotes are released and torn apart by hounds. The animals cannot escape, and the odds are stacked heavily in favor of the pack . . .
Fenced-In Fox Hunting
Earlier this month, a Humane Society of the United States investigation revealed that the puppy mill industry in Virginia, and probably the entire nation, is much larger than any of us had thought. We found 1,000 commercial dog breeding operations in Virginia, and just 16 . . .
Starved for Space
I have been thinking a lot about space—not the virtually limitless area beyond our atmosphere where distance is measured in light years, but the very definite and measurable space in which we spend our lives on planet Earth. I spend a great deal of time . . .
Talking Turkey
Thanksgiving has always been a bittersweet holiday for me. I enjoy the idea of taking a respite from the frenetic pace of life and simply coming together as family or community, celebrating together and giving thanks for what we have. These occasions remind us of . . .
Talk Back: Words of Encouragement
Readers echoed the feelings expressed by Michele, who asked how to keep a positive attitude when animal suffering seems endless. Among their feedback: The question from Michele is so close to my heart. I feel these same emotions every day, some days are much worse . . .
