Former Colonel and Past Leader of the U.S. Army Veterinary Command says DOD sheds light on inadequate living conditions, neglect, and even deaths of military dogs WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, and Animal Wellness Foundation call for immediate action to resolve the institutional failures that have led to … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Independence Day approaches, Animal Wellness Action is calling on Americans to recognize the risks fireworks pose to companion animals and wildlife — and to take simple but critical steps to keep animals safe and calm during holiday celebrations. While fireworks have become synonymous with the Fourth of July, the booming explosions and … Read more
Press Release Rules are a ‘de facto’ ban, cruelly dividing humans from their beloved pets when American pet owners wish to travel home, animal wellness groups say Washington, D.C. — Animal wellness groups say new dog importation rules by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are unjustified and cruel, as eight airlines have responded with … Read more
Press Release U.S. animal welfare charities will be hurt, dogs will suffer from CDC’s unrealistic financial and regulatory burdens Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and international dog rescue groups panned new dog importation regulations announced this week by U.S. Centers for Disease Control, calling updates to import rules excessive and costly, especially for pet owners and … Read more
Press Release Animal Wellness Action demands agency abandon plans to finalize rules Washington, D.C. – Two years after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) temporarily banned dog imports from 113 countries without any compelling justification for the Draconian policy, the agency published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register today, announcing plans … Read more
Press Release Legislation will allow domestic violence survivors to protect their pets Pittsburgh, PA — Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, and Humane Action Pittsburgh applaud the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for passing a bill that offers protection for pets in domestic violence situations. HB1210, led by co-prime sponsors Reps. Christina Sappey … Read more
Press Release Plan Ahead to Ensure a Safe, Enjoyable Holiday for Your Pets and Wildlife Washington D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, and the Animal Wellness Foundation, along with certified animal behavior consultant Steve Dale, wish to remind pet guardians on this Fourth of July that fireworks are not festive or … Read more
To understand why Animal Wellness Action is so invested in the passage of FDA Modernization 2.0, one need look no further than Sheldon and Bernie.
Press Release Veterinarians Pledge to Participate In an important national announcement for a major African nation, the Kingdom of Morocco will move to eradicate rabies with an initiative to Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) its street dog population. The move was initiated in 2019 with a proclamation by the Minister of the Interior but until … Read more
It is just and right that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in response to a PETA investigation, ordered the release of more than 4,000 beagles from Envigo, a contract-breeding facility in Virginia supplying dogs to laboratories.
Hyperventilated Response to Minuscule Rabies Threat, Dismissal of Mink Threat Among Problems Cited Today, Animal Wellness Action and its sister organization, the Center for a Humane Economy, applauded Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for agreeing to reorganize and re-energize the agency, admitting failures in its COVID-19 … Read more
Congress must enact the FDA Modernization Act. Our nation cannot rescue our way out of drug-approval system that runs through a million animals a year. Washington, D.C. — The news about the rescue of thousands of beagles abused in a breeding facility in Virginia underscores that Congress must eliminate the federal animal-testing mandate for new … Read more
Last week I travelled to Romania, on behalf of the Center for a Humane Economy, to meet the extraordinary volunteers and staff working daily to help animals survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was an astounding and sad experience – astounding to watch the bravery of the people and so very sad to observe … Read more
FDA Modernization Act rider will spare animals, drive down drug prices, and produce safer treatments and cures WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a legislative action that has the potential in the coming years to prevent the use of millions of animals and to deliver safer, more effective drugs to countless patients in need of treatments, the U.S. House … Read more
Press Release Agency Modifies “Temporary Suspension” After Barring Imports Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is relaxing its strict ban on imports of dogs from more than 100 countries after the agency has faced rightful and withering criticism from animal welfare groups, U.S. foreign and uniformed services, lawmakers from both parties, … Read more
There is a desperate need to reduce animal testing and usher in 21st-century science In a game-changing legislative act, Democrat and Republican leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce have included the FDA Modernization Act as a “rider” to a broader legislative package to reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user-fee … 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
Washington, D.C. – Today, 57 bipartisan Members of the U.S House of Representatives, including 35 Democrats and 22 Republicans, sent a letter to leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to rescind its abrupt suspension of canine imports from 113 countries, effective on July 14th. In the letter, the Members called on … Read more
Washington, D.C. – Late last night, the U.S House of Representatives passed an amendment led by Reps. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, designed to fund better inspections and streamline operations fulfilling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaration in the federal register that more resources must be provided … Read more
Washington, D.C. – Late last night, the U.S House Committee on Rules advanced an amendment led by Reps. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, designed to fund better inspections and streamline operations fulfilling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaration in the federal register that more resources must be provided … Read more
Washington, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, H.R. 1448, led by U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, and Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y. by an overwhelming majority vote. The measure garnered an astounding 317 Members of the House as cosponsors and will now be considered … Read more
Press Release Washington, D.C. – After a sudden and surprising far-reaching announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 14, shut down imports of dogs entering the U.S. from 113 countries, causing unprecedented turmoil for American families with pets on their way back to the U.S. and crippling the life-saving work of … Read more
Washington, D.C. — In a major federal legislative anti-cruelty initiative, U.S. Congressmen Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), David Joyce (R-OH-14), and Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), introduced the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R. 1016, a bill they forged in cooperation with Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, and the Center for a Humane Economy to step up federal … Read more
This is part four in our series detailing an investigation from Animal Wellness Action and Bailing Out Benji into the selling of puppy mill dogs in Arizona and the failure of a 2016 state law to deliver any protections for dogs. For parts one, two and three, click here. In Part One of our series into Arizona’s failure … Read more
This is Part Three in our series detailing an investigation from Animal Wellness Action and Bailing Out Benji into the selling of puppy mill dogs in Arizona and the failure of a new state law to deliver any protections for dogs. Here are Parts One and Two. Our laws only have meaning for animals if … Read more
This is part two in our series detailing an investigation from Animal Wellness Action and Bailing Out Benji. For part one, click here. Arizona law prohibits pet stores from purchasing puppies from breeders with recent and severe violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act on their record. Yet, five pet stores in Arizona called “Puppies … Read more
For much of the past year, Animal Wellness Action and Bailing Out Benji have been working together to encourage law enforcement to take action against the largest chain of pet stores in the state. In October of this year, law enforcement officers entered the pet store’s establishment to request and inspect the records. But … Read more
Advocates must demand President-Elect Biden Come Out of the Gate Strong on Animal Welfare With no major animal welfare initiatives launched by humane organizations on any statewide election ballots for the first time in 30 years, the national election was nonetheless enormously consequential for animals, with Joe Biden appearing to be on his way to … Read more
Press Release Phoenix, Arizona — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and Bailing Out Benji (BOB) today called upon the cities of Tempe and Tucson, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to investigate allegations that local pet stores known as “Puppies ‘N Love” and “Animal Kingdom” are purchasing puppies from certain breeders in violation of Arizona state … Read more
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House, for the second year in a row, has passed an amendment, led by U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and backed by Animal Wellness Action and the Animal Wellness Foundation, designed to upgrade enforcement of anti-cruelty laws by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The measure, passed by … Read more
The supporters of Animal Wellness Action and readers of The Policy Animal have truly made a difference for our iconic American wild horses and burros in the past few weeks. Many of you read several of our most recent blogs regarding the BLM’s Draconian plan to roundup horses and burros on public lands and turn … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, American Horse Protection Society, and Horses for Life Foundation applauded U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Kentucky, for shepherding to passage an amendment increasing funding for equine assisted therapy for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Adaptive Sports Grant Program by $5 million. The measure passed the … Read more
Washington D.C. — Today Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) applauded the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), led by Chairman Jose Serrano, D-N.Y. and Ranking Member Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., for urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enhance its work to prosecute federal animal cruelty crimes, … Read more
Policy Action Was Triggered by the Inescapable Conclusion That Most People Treat Dogs as Companions, Growing Public Health and Reputational Concerns, and the COVID-19 Crisis Washington, D.C. — In what can only be described as one of the biggest contemporary gains for animals globally, China has removed dogs from its National Catalogue of Livestock and … Read more
Pet retail facilities taking advantage of “essential services” designation and using it to peddle unhealthy dogs to unsuspecting consumers Lancaster, PA — Animal Wellness Action, a national animal protection group promoting legal standards against cruelty, conducted a survey, conducted between April 13-20th, of nearly 40 stores in Pennsylvania that sell dogs obtained from puppy mills … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Nearly eighty Members of the U.S. House, led by Reps. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Katie Porter, D-Calif., and Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Calif., urging leadership to include $4 million funding in the next COVID-19 package to help domestic violence victims … Read more
We are in disaster mode as a nation — sheltering in place, deploying FEMA and the National Guard, filling hospital beds with those showing the worst symptoms, and delivering food and other services to those in need. There are more than 60,000 Americans infected with the coronavirus, and 800 dead. Those numbers are sure to … Read more
Press Release The animals were all placed for adoption by the Bureau of Land Management’s adoption programs, which put federally protected equines at risk of slaughter Washington, D.C. — The global health crisis caused by the Coronavirus should not be allowed to trigger a wave of pet companion relinquishment, according to the Animal Wellness Foundation … Read more
I wrote a week ago how the coronavirus may have started in Wuhan and unevenly radiated to now 77 nations throughout the world. The virus almost certainly infected its first human victim by jumping the species barrier in a “wet market” — open-air shops that are mixing bowls of people, animals, blood and other bodily … Read more
Press Release First Case of COVID-19 in a Pet Transmission Suspected from Infected Person to Dog, but the Animal is Asymptomatic Washington, D.C. — Policy makers should act with restraint and with a common-sense, science-based approach in dealing with cases where pets contract COVID-19, according to veterinarians and other experts from the Animal Wellness Foundation. … Read more
How To Protect Your Pets from Coronavirus recommendations from Animal Wellness Action’s Veterinary Council Member, Sarah LaMere, DVM 1 Protect your pets the same way you protect yourself and other family members. Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and sing the alphabet to make sure you have had contact long enough to kill the germs … Read more
Press Release Washington D.C. — Today U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) introduced legislation in the U.S. House recognized as the “Petfax Act” to mandate honesty and transparency in the commercial sales of dogs and cats and crackdown on cruel “puppy mills” — large commercial dog breeding operations that breed high volumes of … 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
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
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, President Donald J. Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, H.R. 724, into law. The bill, led by U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) passed the House and Senate in recent weeks without dissent The … Read more
It’s Their Capacity to Suffer, and Their Value to Us, That Warrants Proscriptions Against Abuse It was a fitting juxtaposition. At the White House today, President Trump honored Conan, the elite military dog who chased down the world’s most wanted terrorist, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in his fortified Syrian hide-away. Just hours later, The President signed … Read more
Council will play a role in putting veterinarians in a stronger leadership role in national advocacy campaigns for animals LOS ANGELES — The Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) and Animal Wellness Action (AWA) announced the formation of their National Veterinary Council, with members bringing collective medical and advocacy experience for companion animals, farm animals, horses, and wildlife. … Read more
Animals have always been at the center of the human experience — from our first upright steps as hunters and gatherers, through the era of domestication, and into the industrial and technological ages. Throughout the arc of human history, animals have served us as companions, sentries, herders, hunting partners, laborers, soldiers, and in countless other … Read more
Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act Headed to the President’s Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act by unanimous consent. The bill, led by U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would establish the first federal anti-cruelty law. The House of Representatives also recently … Read more
Most states adopted anti-cruelty statutes in the 19th century. Now knee-deep into the 21st century, the federal government still has no anti-cruelty statute. But yesterday the U.S. House took an unhesitating step toward remedying this gross deficiency in our legal framework by passing H.R. 724, the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. Sponsored by Reps. … Read more