Animal Wellness Action Blog

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

Last year, deeply disturbing images and descriptions of ghastly tests on beagles for drug development — intentionally infecting them with parasites to test a vaccine in one experiment and cutting their vocal cords to reduce decibel levels because beagles vocalize pain in a separate laboratory exercise – reminded Americans about the painful cost of animal … Read more

Disagreement Between Key Parties Threatens Effective Enforcement of Anti-Doping Law  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Animal Wellness Action leaders addressed the recent breakdown in discussions between the new Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in letters delivered to the leaders of both organizations.  “USADA’s involvement is the very bedrock and foundation … Read more

Cockfights Occured after AWA Publicly Exposed the “Grand Opening” of January Cockfighting Scheme At “Dededo Game Club”  WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of Animal Wellness Action (AWA) obtaining a secret schedule of cockfighting derbies planned for “The Dome” in Dededo starting on New Year’s Day, the organization’s president, Wayne Pacelle, reported that drone surveillance picked up … Read more

Life isn’t fair for so many animals, who are often the victims of human custom, greed, entertainment, or simply a lack of ingenuity or moral understanding. Animal Wellness Action (AWA), the Center for a Humane Economy (Center), and Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) work every day to address human-caused disruptions and threats to their lives. Here … Read more

Appeals exhausted, cockfighters are legally obligated to cease staged animal fights, including Guam derbies advertised for New Year’s Day  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of Guam that Congress has the authority to bar animal fighting throughout the United … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of Animal Wellness Action (AWA) obtaining a secret schedule of cockfighting derbies planned for “The Dome” in Dededo starting on New Year’s Day, the organization’s president, Wayne Pacelle, called on Governor Leon Guerrero to speak out publicly and to call on organizers to cancel their plans for the illegal event. A … Read more

Opponents of Prop 12 Turn States’ Rights, Science, and Customer Service on Their Heads in Trying to Gut California Farm Animal Law In less than two weeks, one of the nation’s most consequential animal welfare measures is set to take full and final effect. In terms of the numbers of animals affected, it will have … Read more

Australian Nike stores draw crowds of angry protesters demanding the end to the cruel, unsustainable commercial slaughter of wild kangaroos (Sydney) – Australians took to the streets over the weekend in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to send a message direct to Nike, protesting at their flagship stores and demanding the athletic wear behemoth end its use of … Read more

Prop 12 Takes Effect in January, Food Retailers Duty Bound to Follow Law (Los Angeles) – Today, the Center for a Humane Economy (Center) and its sister organizations called on all California-based food retailers, especially the biggest names in the American grocery, fast food, and food service industries, to abide by the housing standards prescribed … Read more

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – Considered the biggest advance in animal welfare in recent times, this week West Australia Parliament passed laws that turn pet shops into adoption centers and mandates the sterilization of male and female dogs before the age of two.  Initiated six years ago by MP Lisa Baker to end the horrific suffering caused … Read more