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Breaking news: Botswana lifts trophy hunting ban on elephants
In a senseless step backward, the southern African nation of Botswana yesterday announced it will once again allow trophy hunters to prey upon its natural bounty of wildlife, including its iconic elephants. The move, reported in the media as a political ploy by President Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi to
Walmart to sell only cage-free eggs in Brazil
Brazil is one of the largest economies and the fifth most populous nation in the world. It is also one of the largest global meat producers and exporters, which has made it a particular focus for our work. Over the last several years, our Humane Society International farm animal protection division
HSUS undercover investigation reveals more sick, dead puppies at Petland stores
Today, we’re releasing a report and hidden camera footage of investigations we have carried out at Petland stores, including three new investigations in Sarasota, Florida; Novi, Michigan; and Tyler, Texas. As with our previous investigations of the national pet store chain, we again found animals at
Alert! Last chance to comment on USDA rule to reform puppy mills
There has been an incredible response to our Horrible Hundred report on problem puppy mills and to our Petland investigation, both released this month. Tens of thousands of you have shared our blog posts on social media, and many have written to us with your own horror stories of buying animals from
Fast food chains are putting plant-based options on the menu
At the Super Bowl this year, we caught a glimpse of the future of food from an unlikely source: Carl’s Jr. During the big game, the fast food chain advertised its new Beyond Burger — a patty that tastes just like meat, but is entirely plant-based. For a major fast food chain to announce a plant
Breaking news: Key House committee, federal court direct USDA to release crucial animal welfare records
The House appropriations committee has just issued a clear directive to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate full public access to animal welfare inspection reports and other records that show how businesses like roadside zoos and puppy mills, and research facilities that do invasive
In a first for the nation, New York State lawmakers vote to ban cat declawing
New York State lawmakers yesterday said a resounding “no” to the declawing of cats. Many well-meaning cat owners over the years have chosen to pay for this surgery, but we now know with certainty that it is the cause of tremendous suffering and behavioral problems for cats. In effect, it is similar
No science behind war on wolves, coyotes
Scientists have long cautioned against the indiscriminate hunting of wolves because of the harmful effects it can have on the natural balance of an ecosystem. But this has not stopped states or the federal government from conducting a war on these beautiful native carnivores. The latest salvo is a
Breaking news: Canada bans captivity of whales and dolphins for entertainment
In a powerful affirmation of the rising global tide against the use of marine animals in performing acts, Canadian lawmakers today voted to end the captivity of whales, dolphins and porpoises for entertainment. The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act or the “Free Willy Bill,” passed by
Oregon passes controversial plan to set the stage for trophy hunting of wolves
Oregon has just made it easier for trophy hunters and trappers to go after the state’s small population of wolves. In a move strenuously opposed by scientists, environmentalists and animal protection groups, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday updated its Wolf Conservation and
Instead of cleaning house, Petland wages a losing battle against puppy mill reform
Our eight-month investigation into six Petland stores has revealed heartbreaking stories of puppy mistreatment and deaths. It has led to hundreds of customers contacting us with personal stories of buying animals from Petland, only to have them fall sick and even die; it has caused several ex
HSUS rescues nearly 200 cats, several dogs from alleged neglect situation in Texas
It was the smell that hit them the hardest as staff members from our Animal Rescue Team entered a house in Killeen, Texas, this morning, to help local law enforcement agents remove nearly 200 cats and kittens and several dogs from a situation of alleged large-scale neglect. “My eyes started to burn
Horse deaths at Santa Anita underscore need for racing reform nationwide
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson The number of horses dying at the Santa Anita racetrack in California since December 2018 has led to widespread concern in the horseracing world and beyond, and prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to call for closing the racetrack until the safety of the horses can
EPA gives factory farms a free pass on toxic air emissions
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson In an unlawful move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has decided to exempt massive factory farms from reporting their toxic air emissions -- released from animal waste created by these facilities -- to state and local authorities. The rule, finalized last
The American Kennel Club is actively obstructing stronger protections for dogs
The American Kennel Club turns 140 years old this week. Its tagline is “For the love of all things dog.” Nothing could be more misleading. Although it tries to pass itself off in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere as an authority on animal welfare, the organization is a breed registry for purebred dogs
Bringing our cause to Water for Elephants on Broadway
I traveled to New York to briefly share a Broadway stage (something I never thought I’d be able to say!) with some of the cast members of Water for Elephants, a musical based on the 2006 novel by Sara Gruen, for a “talkback” panel discussion that followed the show. Animals are central characters to
This US city could be the next to ban the sale of fur
It is the height of absurdity: There’s widespread public awareness of the immense cruelty of fur factory farming. The fashion industry is just one of many industries inflicting harm on animals while putting terrible pressure on our already-stressed environment. And yet, animals are still being born
How one dog’s tragic plight led to the Animal Welfare Act
Pepper was a beloved dalmatian living on a family’s farm in Pennsylvania until June 1965, when she suddenly vanished. Her family spent days and days searching for her, thinking she may have been hit by a car, which would have already been a heartbreaking loss. Instead, her fate was shocking
Bobcats are still recovering in Indiana. Now trappers want to kill them.
It is the sad paradox of wildlife conservation that as soon as a species seems to make progress toward recovery from near extirpation, some people rally to be permitted to hunt and trap them again. This is exactly what’s happening in Indiana right now with the state’s only remaining native wildcat
We’re on the ground to help animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Once again, members of our Animal Rescue Team are taking action on the ground in the wake of disaster in a particularly brutal storm season. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly this team moves and how many places they go, including areas where there are so few resources. They endure considerable