Animal Wellness Action Blog

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

A corrupt Department of Agriculture has allowed shipments of more than 11,000 fighting animals from cockfighters from the states Washington, D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action released video footage that, according to informants, documents illegal cockfighting by a law enforcement agent working at the Guam Department of Agriculture– an explicit violation of the federal law forbidding … Read more

Captive and Wild Bears Throughout the World Killed for Bladders and Bile Washington, D.C. – Today, Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, the Center for a Humane Economy, SPCA International, and other organizations lauded U.S. Senators John Kennedy, R-La., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., for introducing legislation to stop the exploitation of bears, seeking to end … Read more

Boise, Idaho – A set of wildlife and animal welfare groups, including Animal Wellness Action, the Idaho Conservation League, and ZooMontana, called on National Park Service Director Charles Sams to work with Interior Secretary Haaland to issue an emergency listing of wolves under the Endangered Species Act in response to the immense toll taken on … Read more

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