Animal Wellness Action Blog

Critical insights into issues at the intersection of animals and politics​

She was one of the most consequential animal welfare advocates in U.S. Senate history. Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and its president Wayne Pacelle paid tribute today to the extraordinary public service of Senator Dianne Feinstein, including her immense contributions on animal welfare. “Dianne Feinstein was a giant on the national stage on animal … Read more

Boston-based athletic wear brand announces pledges to drop kangaroo-based shoes six months after Portland-based Nike says it will move away from the use of wildlife skins to make soccer cleats. Washington, D.C. — The athletic wear giant New Balance informed the Center for a Humane Economy yesterday that it has altered its sourcing policies and … Read more

Press Release Legislation Championed by Sens. Fetterman, Kennedy, Booker and Wicker Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, and Switch4Good lauded U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., John Kennedy, R-La., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., for introducing the ADD SOY Act today to give kids a nutritionally equivalent, plant-based … Read more

Washington, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives, without dissent, passed an amendment to stipulate that at least $1 million is spent on casework by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General’s law enforcement personnel to investigate illegal animal fighting ventures and to apprehend the people driving this illegal animal cruelty. … Read more

Similar legislation has been introduced by Delegate from Puerto Rico and attracted no support from any sitting U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative from the states Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action strongly criticized the effort by Delegate James Moylan, R-Guam, to repeal a 2018 provision of the National Animal Fighting Law applying to the U.S. … Read more

Animal fighting blends cruelty, criminality, and contagious disease. It must end. Just days ago, federal authorities arrested 21 individuals in raids targeting a network of dogfighters and narcotics traffickers, with evidence seized at 25 locations just in Indianapolis. The investigation stretched from there to West Virginia to Mexico to Mississippi, where one perpetrator had “several … Read more

No Healthy Young Horses Should Die on the Racetrack, HISA has the Power to make that Happen, Groups say Louisville, KY — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority today for its report on the rash of horse deaths at Churchill Downs earlier this year. … Read more

white mink standing up in cage

Animal Wellness Action calls for government buy-out of small and declining very inhumane and virally dangerous industry Washington D.C. — The mink industry is experiencing dramatic and unprecedented decline, according to this year’s recently released mink report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to research and investigations conducted by scientists with the Center for a Humane … Read more

21 people were charged in state court in connection with illegal animal fighting and trafficking of meth, cocaine, and other narcotics. Washington, D.C.—Today, Animal Wellness Action applauded federal authorities for making 21 arrests in a major, multi-state dogfighting and narcotics trafficking ring centered in Indiana. Law enforcement officers on Aug. 31 conducted sweeping raids at … Read more

Crime of cockfighting is ‘surprisingly widespread’ in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia region, group says. Washington, D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action and sister organization Center for a Humane Economy issued a statement in support of the Calvert County (Maryland) State’s Attorney’s office for filing a criminal information document charging a Huntingtown man with several counts of animal … Read more