Blog

Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics

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

Former attorneys general from Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — the last states with legal cockfighting — said the “cockfighting as culture” claim has long been a misdirection Washington, D.C. — Former attorneys general from  the last states to outlaw cockfighting — Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — called on political leaders in the five … Read more

The people of Guam and Puerto Rico are increasingly speaking up against cockfighting in their territories, as the new federal law banning animal fighting everywhere in the U.S. takes effect on December 20th. In today’s episode of The Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove talks again with Wayne Pacelle and Marty Irby about recent events, but … Read more

90% of Guamanians want to see territorial anti-cruelty law passed, while 61 percent back the federal ban on cockfighting Washington, D.C. —  Today, the Animal Wellness Foundation and Animal Wellness Action released topline polling data from a comprehensive, statistically valid survey of Guam residents about animal cruelty and cockfighting, with the survey revealing deep and … Read more