Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics
California Leads the Way Among the States This holiday season, I am grateful for legislative actions crafted not only to end malicious cruelty to animals, but also a variety of forms of large-scale, institutionalized cruelty. A comprehensive national ban on animal fighting – after a decades-long campaign – went into effect on December 20th. It’s a … Read more
Governor and Commonwealth Legislature Passed Sham Cockfighting Bill on the Eve of the Effective Date of the Federal Law Outlawing This Form of Cruelty Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) sent a letter today to Puerto Rico’s Governor Wanda Vázquez that denounces her recent signing of a bill … Read more
Press Release Groups Asks State Department to Send Them Back Home for Adoption Washington, D.C. — The Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) and Animal Wellness Action (AWA) are calling for an immediate end to a Department of State (Department) program to send highly trained antiterrorism bomb-sniffing dogs to Jordan and Egypt after more dogs have died … Read more
Penalties Are the Same for Dogfighting or Cockfighting Violations, Providing for Up to 5 Years in Prison for a Single Violation WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal animal fighting law took effect first in Guam, given that the island territory is “where America’s day begins,” and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) and Animal Wellness Action (AWA) urge cockfighters … Read more
It’s been an extraordinarily eventful period in the national debate over animal fighting, with the federal law that Animal Wellness Action shepherded to passage taking effect everywhere in the United States today. Congress gave Guam, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories one year to wind down this practice, and that day has come. Under the … Read more
Key provisions build on our progress and hold the line on past gains, but it has a dangerous provision that may hurt wild horses and burros Some agencies have a particularly big effect on the well-being of animals — particularly the Department of the Interior, which controls our public lands and oversees wildlife policy issues … Read more
Groups Urge the United States to Shut Down the Fighting Pits, Including Ones Planning to Operate Tomorrow Night Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) denounced the political posturing of Puerto Rico’s Governor Wanda Vázquez and state legislators in passing a bill to authorize cockfighting. The action happened on … Read more
Questions released on survey that reveals that 61 percent of Guamanians back the federal ban on cockfighting WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Animal Wellness Foundation and Animal Wellness Action released more detailed information about the comprehensive, statistically valid survey of Guam residents about animal cruelty and cockfighting, with the survey revealing deep and broad support for … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Horseracing Integrity Act garnered its 218th cosponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives, now a majority of the chamber – a key milestone for this landmark legislation that would end the doping of American racehorses in competition. The Horseracing Integrity Act (HIA), H.R. 1754, led by U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), … Read more
Washington, D.C. – The Congress is poised to pass a massive Fiscal Year 2020 spending package with a series of pro-animal provisions, many pushed by Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, and other animal welfare organizations. The House should vote on the $1.4 trillion measure today, and the Senate is expected to follow suit and … Read more