Newly released footage confirms the Joe Exotic we know
We’ve known “Joe Exotic” (Joe Schreibvogel) for a long while, and we know him well. This week, we’re releasing additional footage from the Humane Society of the United States investigations focusing on Joe, Doc Antle and other wild animal breeders and traders that began in . . .
HSUS sues USDA over policies that risk future pandemics
Today the Humane Society of the United States filed a federal lawsuit challenging the response plan for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (or “bird flu”) of the United States Department of Agriculture. The response plan, produced by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, is shortsighted and . . .
On World Health Day, a global reckoning with COVID-19 is urgent
Like an alarm bell in the night, COVID-19 has cut through the uneasy silence of the world’s failure to address pandemic illness tied to the trade, transport and consumption of wildlife. The notion that we could have prevented COVID-19 by taking decisive steps to curb . . .
Today’s mix on Morning Joe: Wildlife markets, factory farms and the COVID-19 crisis
I appeared today on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to speak about the COVID-19 crisis and wildlife markets with Humane Society International’s Peter Li and our colleague Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary. Together, we made the case for an immediate end to wildlife markets all over the . . .
Breaking news: Fauci calls for closing down wildlife markets around the globe
The nation’s most authoritative voice on infectious diseases today sounded a stern warning about the dangers of the wildlife trade and its relationship to pandemic diseases like COVID-19. In an interview with Fox News, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci called for the global community to pressure . . .
Shenzhen bans dog and cat meat trade; first city in mainland China to do so
Shenzhen has become the first city in mainland China to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat, marking one of the biggest wins yet in the global battle to end the dog meat trade. This is China’s fifth largest city. Although not itself a . . .
Coronavirus crisis increases need to help victims of domestic violence and their pets
With hundreds of millions of people required to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, the media is reporting an alarming increase in domestic violence incidents the world over. This includes the United States where calls to help lines have jumped dramatically. It is a problem . . .
Law enforcement officers step up for animals in the midst of a pandemic
Across the nation, law enforcement officers—despite facing unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus pandemic—are hard at work to ensure that animals who need their help are neither forgotten nor left behind. Since the crisis began, our state directors have reached out to government officials to ensure . . .
The killing of Takaya, Canada’s famous lone wolf, highlights urgent need to outlaw trophy hunting
The killing last week of Takaya, the lone wolf of Canada’s Discovery Island whose story of survival and resilience captivated people around the globe, is a grim reminder of the uphill battle wolves face in the modern world. This was a legendary young wolf, with . . .
Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ is a wake-up call for ending private possession of big cats
A decade ago, our undercover investigation delved into the bizarre world of Joseph Maldonado-Passage (aka Joe Exotic) and his roadside zoo, GW Exotics. For years, Joe and his band of untrained workers kept hundreds of big cats and other wild animals in captivity in barren . . .
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passes with potential benefits for animal protection sector
The $2 trillion emergency stimulus bill that cleared Congress earlier today carries important prospective benefits for the animal care and services sector. These include a temporary expansion of charitable deduction provisions, opportunities for business continuity loans to cover payroll, paid leave, health-insurance premiums, facilities costs, . . .
To prevent another pandemic, global leaders should crack down on wildlife trade
At the G20 coronavirus meeting today, global leaders, including President Trump, brainstormed on ways to control the pandemic that is now ravaging dozens of nations, leaving a vast trail of human casualties in its wake. But one thing that didn’t come up was the reason . . .
