New Analysis: Animal Welfare Act Enforcement Deteriorates Following SCOTUS Ruling aalberg Mon, 09/29/2025 - 11:52 photo by Jo-Anne McArthur/NEAVS/We Animals October 8, 2025 Washington, DC—The US Department of Agriculture, long known for its lackluster enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), appears in recent years to have drifted even further away from enforcement efforts. Since mid-2024 in particular, according to an Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) report released today, the department has largely abandoned the use of fines to address AWA violations, electing instead to issue official warnings that lack meaningful repercussions. The timing of this shift underscores the potential implications of a recent Supreme Court decision pertaining to fines levied by a federal agency.The report, titled Trends in Animal Welfare Act Enforcement, is an original analysis of actions taken by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) to encourage compliance with the AWA, based on documentation obtained from the agency’s online Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Actions database. AWI analyzed the database’s enforcement-related documents dating from January 2020 (when the database’s AWA documentation begins) to August 2025. The analysis revealed that following the Supreme Court’s June 2024 decision in Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] v. Jarkesy—in which the court held that the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial applied to assessment of fines by the SEC for securities fraud—there was a precipitous drop in the issuance of fines by USDA-APHIS. In the 14 months following this decision, which could potentially be construed to apply to USDA-APHIS’s assessment of fines under the AWA, USDA-APHIS levied a meager five fines, including just one since the second Trump administration took office in January. This stands in stark contrast to the 63 fines issued in the 14 months preceding the Jarkesy decision. In fact, it is even fewer than the number of fines imposed over a similar time frame during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many facilities were temporarily closed and routine inspections were severely curtailed.Official warnings are not considered enforcement actions, and since 2021, there have been more official warnings issued for AWA violations than all enforcement actions (administrative complaints, confiscations, license suspensions, settlements, and decisions and orders) combined. Furthermore, official warnings’ proportion of total actions seems to be growing: In the year before the Jarkesy decision, official warnings constituted 66% of all actions taken by USDA-APHIS in response to what it identified as AWA violations; in the year following the decision, official warnings constituted 91% of actions taken. Official warnings have been issued even when violations are severe. For example, Alpha Genesis Incorporated (AGI)—which sells and experiments on nonhuman primates—received an official warning earlier this year for the preventable death of 22 monkeys in November 2024. This is the third official warning AGI has received since 2014 for violations that include monkey deaths and escapes.For animals in laboratories, this situation is especially concerning. The issuance of fines appears to be one of USDA-APHIS’s primary enforcement mechanisms against research facilities, as research facilities are exempt from certain AWA enforcement actions, such as license revocations and criminal penalties.If USDA-APHIS cannot or will not issue fines against violators, the AWA’s protections will be severely weakened for the approximately 775,000 warm-blooded animals used in research, testing, and teaching in the United States each year—leaving these animals nearly as vulnerable as the tens of millions of rats, mice, birds, and cold-blooded animals who are not even covered under the AWA.“The USDA’s apparent hesitancy to take meaningful enforcement actions in the wake of the Jarkesy decision is troubling,” said Dr. Joanna Makowska, director of AWI’s Animals in Laboratories Program. “Our government must have an effective mechanism for enforcing its primary federal law regulating the use of animals in research—anything less is unacceptable.”Chronic understaffing at USDA-APHIS—a problem that is only getting worse as the number of facilities the agency is charged with inspecting continues to increase while the number of inspectors decreases—further jeopardizes the welfare of all animals under the AWA’s purview. The agency has lost more than one-third of its inspectors in the last several years, including a 15% decrease in 2025 alone. Meanwhile, between 2021 and 2024, the number of licensees and registrants increased by nearly 50%. Several legislative efforts to strengthen AWA enforcement are under consideration by Congress, including the Better CARE for Animals Act and Goldie’s Act. The Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act, a longstanding AWI priority bill that would close AWA loopholes that allow chronic violators to escape accountability, could be reintroduced soon as well.“Our analysis indicates that the USDA’s historically weak enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act is getting weaker. We are failing millions of animals who deserve, at minimum, robust enforcement of existing law,” said Makowska. “While the long-term repercussions of the Jarkesy decision remain to be seen, the data highlight the department’s struggle to fulfill its most basic responsibilities to these animals. This is a problem that won’t be fixed overnight—but strengthening the AWA itself is a great starting point.” Media Contact Information Kim Meneo, Animal Welfare Institutekim@awionline.org, (202) 446-2116 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

AWI Awards Safe Havens for Pets Grant to Support Unhoused People and Pets in DC aalberg Mon, 10/06/2025 - 11:13 photo by kerkezz October 6, 2025 Washington, DC—This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is pleased to announce a $15,000 grant to the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) to support pet owners experiencing domestic violence and homelessness in Washington, DC.The grant, funded through AWI’s Safe Havens for Pets initiative, will support HRA’s Safe Haven Program, which assists domestic violence survivors by providing temporary placement for their pets so that they can seek safety themselves. The grant will also help the organization expand its services to assist unhoused individuals with pets, filling a critical resource gap for those experiencing homelessness with a companion animal in the nation’s capital.AWI, a DC-based national nonprofit, launched the Safe Havens for Pets initiative in 2011 as an online database to help domestic violence survivors in the United States find sheltering resources for their companion animals. Earlier this year, it expanded the database to include sheltering services for unhoused individuals with pets; the Safe Havens for Pets directory now contains more than 1,200 listings across all 50 states. AWI, however, could not identify a single resource in DC for unhoused individuals seeking shelter with their companion animals.“It is our hope that this grant will enable the Humane Rescue Alliance to further its important work protecting animals and helping local families in crisis,” said Claire Coughlin, director of AWI’s Companion Animals Program. “No one should have to make the impossible choice of leaving a pet behind when seeking shelter and safety. The Animal Welfare Institute is proud to support HRA’s efforts to fill this critical resource gap and assist people and their companion animals right here in DC.”Sadly, animal cruelty, domestic violence, and homelessness are often interconnected. In fact, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women, and the very real threat of violence to companion animals only exacerbates the crisis. Nearly half of National Domestic Violence Hotline callers report being worried that their abuser would harm or kill their pets, while 97 percent state that keeping their pets with them is an important factor in deciding whether to seek shelter. When appropriate resources are absent, survivors with companion animals are that much more likely to end up unhoused, pets in tow.For individuals experiencing homelessness in DC with pets, help is urgently needed. A directive to “fight[...] vagrancy” and clear encampments in the city—included in an executive order issued by the White House in July—could severely impact resource availability. According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, there are more than 5,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in DC. Among these are adults with families, nearly half of whom say they have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. More than three-quarters of this latter group, in fact, indicate that it directly led to their current episode of homelessness. Local safe haven resources are essential for supporting survivors and their family members—companion animals included.“For people in crisis, a pet is often a lifeline—a source of unconditional love, nonjudgmental support, and, most importantly, family. But there are still no pet-friendly domestic violence or homelessness shelters in DC, forcing people to choose between safety and the animals they love,” said Kelly Whittier, director of public affairs at HRA. “With AWI’s support, we can break down the practical, prohibitive, and costly barriers to both temporary and permanent shelter by covering veterinary care, vaccinations, emergency boarding, and even short-term pet-friendly hotel stays so people and pets can stay together when they need each other most. As winter approaches, this work becomes even more urgent. Until the District creates pet-friendly shelter options, this grant helps ensure that no one is left behind.”Learn more about housing insecurity with pets and AWI’s work to support people and pets in crisis. To locate a safe haven near you, visit safehavensforpets.org. Media Contact Information Kim Meneo, Animal Welfare Institutekim@awionline.org, (202) 446-2116 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

AWI Celebrates the Life of Dr. Jane Goodall, a Revolutionary Animal Advocate aalberg Wed, 10/01/2025 - 19:01 photo by Animal Welfare Institute October 1, 2025 Washington, DC—Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned scientist and passionate advocate for animals, has died at the age of 91.“Dr. Jane Goodall was a force of nature,” said Susan Millward, executive director and chief executive officer of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). “For decades, she tirelessly sought to improve the public’s understanding of animal behavior—work that shaped generations of animal advocates, scientists, students, policymakers, and more.”As a longtime friend of Christine Stevens, AWI’s founder, Dr. Goodall was a confidante and colleague. In 1987, AWI awarded Dr. Goodall the Schweitzer Medal for her lifetime of work as a defender of chimpanzees. When Christine died in 2002, Dr. Goodall attended her service in Washington, DC, and said, “Christine was a giant voice for animal welfare. Passionate, yet always reasoned, she took up one cause after another and she never gave up. Millions of animals are better off because of Christine’s quiet and very effective advocacy.” Most certainly, one could apply Dr. Goodall’s gracious words that day to her own indefatigable spirit and unparallel legacy.This past May, Dr. Goodall reached out to ask for AWI’s support in the launch of an International Declaration on Abolishing Trophy Hunting—for presentation at the 2025 UN General Assembly—to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Cecil the lion’s death at the hands of an American trophy hunter. AWI agreed without hesitation, joining a core group of cofounding signatories.AWI sends our condolences to Dr. Goodall’s family and friends, including the staff of the Jane Goodall Institute. We remain deeply inspired by her passion, her rigor, and her steadfast belief in the importance of ensuring animal welfare—which, together, built a legacy that will endure for many years to come. Media Contact Information Kim Meneo, Animal Welfare Institutekim@awionline.org, (202) 446-2116 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

Ejiao Act Reintroduced as Consumer Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Protecting Donkeys from Dangerous Gelatin Trade aalberg Tue, 09/23/2025 - 15:02 photo by Laura Nyhuis September 23, 2025 Washington, DC—Today, US Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) reintroduced the bipartisan Ejiao Act to ban the sale and trade of donkey-hide gelatin products in the United States; a recent survey shows that 71% of Americans support the bill.The July online survey of more than 2,000 US adults was commissioned by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and conducted by The Harris Poll. In addition to indicating strong support for the Ejiao Act, the survey found that an overwhelming majority of Americans (83%) agree that the production of ejiao raises animal welfare concerns, while 80% agree that the steep decline in global donkey populations due to increasing demand for ejiao is unacceptable.Ejiao (pronounced “eh-gee-yow”) is a gelatin made from boiling the hides of donkeys. It is used primarily in cosmetics and traditional Chinese medicines. Despite little scientific evidence of its purported health benefits, demand for ejiao is increasing dramatically in China and other countries. The United States is the third-largest importer of products containing ejiao, after Hong Kong and Japan, with approximately $12 million in annual imports each year. Nearly 6 million donkeys are slaughtered annually to produce ejiao—a rate that could halve the world’s donkey population in the next few years.This cruel global trade causes tremendous animal suffering and severely impacts communities that rely on donkeys for survival. Donkeys fetch water from miles away, take kids to school, assist in construction and farming, transport goods and produce to market, and even carry the elderly to the hospital. To meet the demand for ejiao, some donkeys are stolen from their owners and transported long distances in overcrowded trailers without food, water, or adequate rest. Infections or broken limbs are left untreated, and those who die in transport may be skinned on the spot—with their remains discarded by the side of the road. Those who survive the journey are often bludgeoned to death on arrival.“Americans increasingly recognize that the ejiao trade is senseless and poses grave risks to donkeys around the world,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director and senior policy advisor for AWI’s Farmed Animal Program. “The production of donkey-hide gelatin entails immense suffering without conferring the promised health benefits. Passing the Ejiao Act would establish the United States as a global leader in shutting down ejiao sales.”Originally introduced in 2021, the Ejiao Act would prohibit the transport, sale, and purchase of ejiao products, as well as donkeys and donkey hides for the production of ejiao. Penalties under this legislation mirror those under the Lacey Act—widely regarded as one the strongest federal laws in the United States to protect a wide range of species from illegal trade and exploitation.“The trade and production of ejiao is an inhumane and dangerous business that is leading to the mass slaughter of donkeys and causing widespread harm to impoverished communities around the world,” Beyer said. “More and more people in poorer countries are seeing animals upon which they depend stolen and killed to meet demand from the ejiao trade. Our bill would ensure the United States does not engage in the ejiao trade in any capacity and instead supports safer, more cost effective, and humane alternatives.”Other key findings from The Harris Poll survey:More than 7 in 10 Americans (71%) say they support the Ejiao Act, including 41% who say they strongly support this bill.Seventy-one percent of Americans would not consider purchasing food and beauty products, or traditional health remedies made from donkey skins; only 1% have used ejiao products.Sixty-six percent believe it is not acceptable to produce gelatin using donkey skins.More than half of Americans (53%) feel concerned about the growing demand for ejiao.Eighty-two percent agree that restrictions on the ejiao trade are necessary to protect rural communities that depend on donkeys for daily life.Despite pressure from advocates, online retailers such as Amazon and Etsy continue to sell ejiao products in the United States. Consumers looking to avoid purchasing anything containing ejiao should read product information and ingredient lists carefully. Related terms include “donkey hide,” “donkey glue,” “donkey-hide gelatin,” “donkey skin plastic,” “donkey oil,” and “colla corii asini” (Latin for “donkey neck hide”), or iterations using “ass” in lieu of “donkey.”Survey Method:This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Animal Welfare Institute from July 22–24, 2025, among 2,084 adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact tessa@awionline.org. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

Titus Reintroduces Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act as New AWI Report Reveals Feeble Enforcement of Welfare Violations aalberg Wed, 09/10/2025 - 14:45 photo by We Animals September 10, 2025 Washington, DC—Today, US Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) reintroduced the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act to improve conditions for livestock transported across the United States. The bill would require federal officials to develop a process to enforce the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which prohibits the transport of certain animals for longer than 28 hours without offloading them for food, water, and rest. Importantly, this legislation also would prohibit interstate transport of livestock considered unfit for travel.The bill’s reintroduction with bipartisan support comes on the same day that the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) released an updated report, Farmed Animals in Transport: The Twenty-Eight Hour Law, based on an analysis of 17 years of federal records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. The report, which concludes that the law is rarely enforced, documents a pattern of widespread noncompliance, delayed investigations, and minimal consequences.“The worst abuses in farmed animal transport occur when animals are hauled extremely long distances or when they are ill, disabled, or otherwise in such poor condition that they can’t withstand the journey,” said Adrienne Craig, senior policy associate and staff attorney for the AWI’s Farmed Animal Program. “The millions of animals carried on our roads every year should be entitled to protection under our nation’s oldest animal welfare law—the Twenty-Eight Hour Law—but that’s not possible without a clear mechanism for enforcement and cooperation among agencies. We applaud Congresswoman Titus for introducing the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act to prohibit interstate transport of livestock considered unfit for travel (in accordance with internationally recognized fitness standards), and to develop a process for enforcement of violations.”Specifically, AWI’s report found that: From 2006 to 2023, the US Department of Agriculture made only 20 inquiries into possible violations of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, four of which resulted in official warnings. Only one case was referred to the Department of Justice; federal records indicate no further action was taken.FOIA records suggest that the USDA has been unable to substantiate violations because livestock haulers are not required to keep detailed records of duration, mileage, or stops, and standard industry forms that producers send with the animals do not provide accurate or complete information regarding the journeys.At least three federal departments are associated with the Twenty-Eight Hour Law—the USDA, the DOJ, and the Department of Transportation—yet records indicate confusion over which of these is responsible for monitoring compliance and penalizing violators.In multiple cases involving Canadian transport companies, USDA officials concluded they lacked any authority to act, despite no exemption under the Twenty-Eight Hour Law for foreign entities operating within the United States.Millions of animals are transported interstate each year, yet virtually none of those shipments are monitored for compliance with the Twenty-Eight Hour Law. In a review of over 3,500 certificates of veterinary inspection for cattle leaving Florida in 2023, for instance, AWI identified 173 shipments involving over 30,000 total animals that likely violated the Twenty-Eight Hour Law. These results are alarming given that they represent a single year in Florida, which is not a major animal agriculture state. Transport for slaughter, breeding, and feeding is extremely stressful for livestock. In addition to the vibrations, noise, fumes, and unfamiliar environment, transported animals often experience prolonged food and water deprivation, intense crowding, exposure to extreme heat and cold, and physical strain and injuries from rough handling and having to balance in a moving truck. These stressors also lower an animal’s resistance to infection; consequently, transport stress also contributes to the spread of disease (including zoonotic diseases that can jump to humans) and to meat contamination.Under current US live animal export regulations, animals intended for export to countries other than Canada or Mexico must be evaluated to ensure they are sound, healthy, and fit to travel. These regulations were adopted in 2016, after AWI petitioned the USDA to stop allowing exports of animals who were too young, weak, or sick to travel. Unfortunately, no such requirements exist for farmed animals transported long distances across the United States.The Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would amend the federal Animal Health Protection Act to mirror fitness criteria governing US live animal exports, and those of the World Organisation for Animal Health—the leading international authority on the health and welfare of animals.Inadequate enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, coupled with the continued interstate transport of animals unfit to travel, is contributing to needless animal suffering and endangering the health and safety of millions of animals—and us. Passage of the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would help ensure that animals who are fit to travel are not deprived of basic necessities along the way and that ill or infirm animals are not subjected to grueling journeys that worsen their condition and exacerbate their risk of contracting dangerous diseases.“For far too long, federal regulations requiring humane treatment of transported farm animals have not been enforced,” Titus said. “The Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would stop this lax regulation that has resulted in many animals being injured or succumbing to disease during transport.” Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

Titus Reintroduces Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act, Citing New AWI Report That Reveals Feeble Enforcement of Welfare Violations aalberg Wed, 09/10/2025 - 14:45 photo by We Animals September 10, 2025 Washington, DC—Today, US Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) reintroduced the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act to improve conditions for livestock transported across the United States. The bill would require federal officials to develop a process to enforce the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which prohibits the transport of certain animals for longer than 28 hours without offloading them for food, water, and rest. Importantly, this legislation also would prohibit interstate transport of livestock considered unfit for travel.The bill’s reintroduction with bipartisan support comes on the same day that the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) released an updated report, Farmed Animals in Transport: The Twenty-Eight Hour Law, based on an analysis of 17 years of federal records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. The report, which concludes that the law is rarely enforced, documents a pattern of widespread noncompliance, delayed investigations, and minimal consequences.“The worst abuses in farmed animal transport occur when animals are hauled extremely long distances or when they are ill, disabled, or otherwise in such poor condition that they can’t withstand the journey,” said Adrienne Craig, senior policy associate and staff attorney for the AWI’s Farmed Animal Program. “The millions of animals carried on our roads every year should be entitled to protection under our nation’s oldest animal welfare law—the Twenty-Eight Hour Law—but that’s not possible without a clear mechanism for enforcement and cooperation among agencies. We applaud Congresswoman Titus for introducing the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act to prohibit interstate transport of livestock considered unfit for travel (in accordance with internationally recognized fitness standards), and to develop a process for enforcement of violations.”Specifically, AWI’s report found that: From 2006 to 2023, the US Department of Agriculture made only 20 inquiries into possible violations of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, four of which resulted in official warnings. Only one case was referred to the Department of Justice; federal records indicate no further action was taken.FOIA records suggest that the USDA has been unable to substantiate violations because livestock haulers are not required to keep detailed records of duration, mileage, or stops, and standard industry forms that producers send with the animals do not provide accurate or complete information regarding the journeys.At least three federal departments are associated with the Twenty-Eight Hour Law—the USDA, the DOJ, and the Department of Transportation—yet records indicate confusion over which of these is responsible for monitoring compliance and penalizing violators.In multiple cases involving Canadian transport companies, USDA officials concluded they lacked any authority to act, despite no exemption under the Twenty-Eight Hour Law for foreign entities operating within the United States.Millions of animals are transported interstate each year, yet virtually none of those shipments are monitored for compliance with the Twenty-Eight Hour Law. In a review of over 3,500 certificates of veterinary inspection for cattle leaving Florida in 2023, for instance, AWI identified 173 shipments involving over 30,000 total animals that likely violated the Twenty-Eight Hour Law. These results are alarming given that they represent a single year in Florida, which is not a major animal agriculture state. Transport for slaughter, breeding, and feeding is extremely stressful for livestock. In addition to the vibrations, noise, fumes, and unfamiliar environment, transported animals often experience prolonged food and water deprivation, intense crowding, exposure to extreme heat and cold, and physical strain and injuries from rough handling and having to balance in a moving truck. These stressors also lower an animal’s resistance to infection; consequently, transport stress also contributes to the spread of disease (including zoonotic diseases that can jump to humans) and to meat contamination.Under current US live animal export regulations, animals intended for export to countries other than Canada or Mexico must be evaluated to ensure they are sound, healthy, and fit to travel. These regulations were adopted in 2016, after AWI petitioned the USDA to stop allowing exports of animals who were too young, weak, or sick to travel. Unfortunately, no such requirements exist for farmed animals transported long distances across the United States.The Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would amend the federal Animal Health Protection Act to mirror fitness criteria governing US live animal exports, and those of the World Organisation for Animal Health—the leading international authority on the health and welfare of animals.Inadequate enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, coupled with the continued interstate transport of animals unfit to travel, is contributing to needless animal suffering and endangering the health and safety of millions of animals—and us. Passage of the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would help ensure that animals who are fit to travel are not deprived of basic necessities along the way and that ill or infirm animals are not subjected to grueling journeys that worsen their condition and exacerbate their risk of contracting dangerous diseases.“For far too long, federal regulations requiring humane treatment of transported farm animals have not been enforced,” Titus said. “The Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act would stop this lax regulation that has resulted in many animals being injured or succumbing to disease during transport.” Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.

Wild Horse Coalition Files New Lawsuit to Stop BLM’s Unlawful Eradication of Iconic Wyoming Herds aalberg Wed, 09/10/2025 - 17:13 photo by Elizabeth Boehm/Danita Delimont September 10, 2025 Cheyenne, Wyo.—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), along with renowned photographers and conservation advocates, today filed another lawsuit in federal court to stop the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from carrying out its plan to permanently remove three historic wild horse herds in Wyoming's Checkerboard region: the Salt Wells Creek herd, the Great Divide Basin herd, and the Rock Springs portion of the Adobe Town herd. Ultimately, AWI and AWHC seek to prevent the permanent eradication of more than 3,000 federally protected wild horses from Wyoming’s public lands.The lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the District of Wyoming, is necessitated by the BLM’s announcement that it will begin roundups to eliminate these herds on October 13, in defiance of a federal appellate court ruling that found the land use plan amendments authorizing the BLM’s eradication plan to be unlawful and arbitrary.In planning documents, the BLM repeatedly acknowledged that areas under consideration for its eradication plan contained adequate forage, water, space, and other resources to sustain wild horse herds and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance—a central mandate of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. In July 2025, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of AWI, AWHC, and other plaintiffs, holding that the BLM ignored its statutory duty to base decisions on whether these lands could sustain a thriving natural ecological balance. The court characterized the agency’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious.”“The Tenth Circuit made very clear that the Bureau of Land Management cannot use its land management planning process to skirt its obligations under the law—namely to protect wild horses on public lands designated as their habitat,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director for AWI. “For the agency to now try to move forward with a roundup plan to permanently remove thousands of these federally protected animals—even when the underlying management decision was found to be unlawful—is neither legal nor rational.”“These wild horses are living symbols of our Western heritage, protected by Congress in 1971,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC. “The BLM’s attempt to wipe them from the wild isn’t just illegal, it’s a direct insult to the rule of law and the American people who cherish these animals.”This marks the eighth legal action AWHC has taken over the last 14 years challenging the BLM’s unlawful actions in Wyoming. Since 2019, AWI has joined AWHC in advocating protection of Wyoming’s wild horses. In 2021, both groups jointly delivered over 70,000 signatures to the Department of the Interior, urging the department to stop the BLM’s plans to remove thousands of wild horses from the Checkerboard.A history of litigation for the Checkerboard horses can be found here. AWI, AWHC, and their co-litigants are represented by the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Amelia Perrin, American Wild Horse Conservationamelia@americanwildhorse.org, (919) 619-4913 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation’s leading nonprofit wild horse conservation organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. In addition to advocating for the protection and preservation of America’s wild herds, AWHC implements the largest wild horse fertility control program in the world through a partnership with the State of Nevada for wild horses that live in the Virginia Range near Reno.

On First Day Back in Session, Congress Urged to Protect Horses Niki Tue, 09/02/2025 - 14:13 photo by Nadezhda September 2, 2025 Thousands join National Day of Action calling on lawmakers to advance 2025 Horse Protection Platform. Washington, DC—As Congress returned today from its August recess, thousands of Americans across the country joined a National Day of Action to call on lawmakers to make horse protection a top priority. Supported by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), and the Homes for Horses Coalition (HHC), the daylong mobilization helped raise awareness about the 2025 Horse Protection Platform, a comprehensive, bipartisan package of reforms designed to safeguard wild and domestic horses.Participants from coast to coast contacted their elected officials, urging them to:Protect wild horses in the federal budget by maintaining the slaughter prohibition and dedicating $11 million of the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program budget to proven, humane fertility control.Join the bipartisan Wild Horse Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and David Schweikert (R-AZ).Cosponsor key bipartisan bills, including:Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 4356): Phases out helicopter roundups; in the interim, requires cameras on helicopters.SAFE Act (H.R. 1661/S. 775): Permanently bans horse slaughter in the United States for human consumption, as well as the export of horses for slaughter.PAST Act (H.R. 1684): Ends the abusive practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses.Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 3623): Prohibits unsafe use of double-deck trailers for hauling horses.Veterans for Mustangs Act (H.R. 2864): Supports veterans in administering humane fertility control for wild herds.“Congress is back in session today, and so are we,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC. “This Day of Action shows the overwhelming public demand for Congress to take meaningful steps to end horse slaughter, replace cruel helicopter roundups with humane solutions, and ensure wild horses remain free on the range where they belong.”“Every year that Congress delays action, horses—both wild and domestic—continue to suffer from inhumane practices,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director and senior advisor at AWI. “The bipartisan bills in the Horse Protection Platform embody commonsense reforms that reflect the values of the vast majority of Americans.”“Today’s grassroots mobilization is proof that people across the country care deeply about protecting our nation’s equines,” said Tessa Archibald, manager of the Homes for Horses Coalition. “Lawmakers must listen to the voices of their constituents and advance these critical equine welfare measures.”The Horse Protection Platform reflects growing bipartisan momentum for reform in Washington and across the country. The coalition emphasized that Sept. 2 was the perfect time to deliver a clear message: Protecting America’s horses should be a top priority. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Grace Kuhn, American Wild Horse Conservationgrace@americanwildhorsecampaign.org, (804) 218-4252 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is the nation's leading wild horse protection organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. In addition to advocating for the protection and preservation of America's wild herds, AWHC implements the largest wild horse fertility control program in the world through a partnership with the State of Nevada for wild horses that live in the Virginia Range near Reno.The Homes for Horses Coalition is a national coalition dedicated to increasing collaboration, professionalism, and growth in the equine rescue and protection community.  Our members are committed to ending horse slaughter and all other forms of equine abuse. The coalition—an initiative of the Animal Welfare Institute and the American Wild Horse Conservation—includes hundreds of equine rescue, sanctuary, and animal welfare organizations throughout the United States and beyond. 

US to Ban Seafood Imports from 42 Nations to Protect Whales, Dolphins aalberg Fri, 08/29/2025 - 12:12 photo by Fishtek Marine August 29, 2025 Embargo Will Push Nations to Stop Marine Mammal Bycatch Washington, DC—The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined today that 42 nations may not export certain seafood products to the United States because fishers in these countries catch marine mammals in violation of US standards. The agency found that the nations failed to adopt bycatch prevention measures that are comparable to what US fishers must follow under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The seafood bans will take effect in January 2026.“This is a lifesaving victory for whales and dolphins swimming in the waters of Mexico, Vietnam, and other nations,” said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These conservation sanctions will mean fewer beloved marine mammals will get caught and killed in fishing gear. I only wish the US government had gone further, since many other nations also need to do a better job avoiding bycatch.”Nations facing seafood bans include Mexico, China, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey. Regarding Mexico, NMFS found that the nation failed to track or limit marine mammal bycatch—even for imperiled animals—as is required in the United States. Other nations, such as Benin, were denied because they failed to apply to continue exporting seafood to the United States. A 2023 report by conservation groups found that many other nations fail to meet US bycatch standards and should face bans, including the United Kingdom, Ecuador, and South Africa.“If you want to sell your seafood in the United States, it is only fair that you live up to the same strict marine mammal protections that other fishermen abide by. And if you can't do that, you shouldn't have a market here, or anywhere else for that matter,” said Zak Smith, a senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “The promise of the Marine Mammal Protection Act is that seafood sold in the United States comes only from commercial fisheries that do not kill or seriously injure marine mammals. US consumers and fishermen deserve nothing less and today’s action brings us closer to that promise.”Since 1972, the MMPA has prohibited the United States from allowing foreign seafood to enter the country unless exporting nations meet the same standards applied to US fishers for limiting marine mammal bycatch. But NMFS ignored the directive for decades, until conservation groups—the Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)—petitioned and eventually sued to compel action. This culminated in an agreement that set a deadline for today’s decision.Bycatch is the greatest conservation threat to marine mammal populations worldwide. Each year, more than 650,000 whales, dolphins and other marine mammals are caught and killed in fishing gear around the globe. These animals are unintentional “bycatch” of commercial fisheries and either drown or are tossed overboard to die from their injuries.“It is high time that the United States implement this important provision of the law and penalize countries that harm so many marine mammals,” said Georgia Hancock, director and senior attorney of the Animal Welfare Institute’s Marine Wildlife Program. “Marine mammals contribute immense value on a global scale—ecological, economical, and cultural—and killing them by these cruel methods must have serious consequences.”Some of the deadliest types of fishing gear include gillnets, longlines, trawls, pots, and traps, according to NMFS. Yet numerous nations continue to use this gear without even tracking the number of marine mammals killed.The United States is the world’s largest seafood importer, bringing in more than $26.6 billion in seafood products in 2024 from more than 140 nations. An estimated 80% of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, including shrimp, tuna, and other fish. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Sarah Uhlemann, Center for Biological Diversitysuhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org, (206) 327-2344 Andrew Scibetta, NRDCascibetta@nrdc.org, (202) 289-2421 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.8 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing, and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).

“A Voice for Animals” Contest Winners Devise Practical Strategies to Improve the Lives of Animals aalberg Wed, 08/27/2025 - 16:24 August 27, 2025 Washington, DC—From examining how plastics smother and abrade coral reefs, to spreading awareness about donkeys being sacrificed for the donkey-hide gelatin trade, participants in the 2025 “A Voice for Animals” contest use creative prose and compelling imagery to inspire their peers and communities to advocate for species under siege.The annual contest offers high school students ages 14 to 18 the opportunity to win cash prizes for essays, videos, or photo essays that explore strategies to protect imperiled species and mitigate animal suffering. The contest is sponsored by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Humane Education Network.Twenty-one entries won honors this year from a pool of more than 200. Submissions were judged on presentation, originality, and effectiveness of solutions to persistent problems. “These young advocates demonstrate optimism and ingenuity in tackling some of the biggest threats facing animals,” said Regina Terlau, director of AWI’s Humane Education Program and co-manager of the contest. “They don’t just research a topic—they launch petitions, create memorable TikTok videos, and volunteer with organizations on the front lines of animal protection.” The first-place winners are:Daniela Buitrón of St. John’s, Canada, for the video Wake Up World: The Galápagos Needs You!, which describes how human activities such as illegal fishing, plastic pollution, and unregulated tourism have harmed species endemic to the Galápagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador. Buitrón explains how satellite technology, coral reef restoration efforts, and educational campaigns about harmful single-use plastics are making a difference.Tucker Hankins of Hixson, Tennessee, for the photo essay Paw Scouts to the Rescue, which outlines Hankins’s efforts with his siblings to establish a nonprofit organization, Paw Scouts of Chattanooga, to provide needed items to animal shelters and pet rescues to promote animal health and well-being. So far, the organization has raised more than $5,000 and delivered supplies to seven area animal shelters.Makayla Sarsfield of Olympia, Washington, for the photo essay The Issue with Being an Ass, which explores how donkeys face abuse, abandonment, and even death from the cruel donkey skin trade. Although donkeys have made significant contributions to human progress, they are being killed in unprecedented numbers to produce ejiao—a gelatin that is made from boiling donkey hides and used primarily in cosmetics and traditional Chinese medicines. Sarsfield describes her experience caring for rescued donkeys Joey and Chandler as a volunteer at Serenity Now Animal Sanctuary in Olympia.Hannah Stratton of Hawley, Pennsylvania, for the active involvement essay Paws for a Cause: A Mission to Save Shelter Animals, which outlines her work with Future Business Leaders of America creating a successful social media campaign for a local animal shelter that helped double adoption rates and triple donations. Stratton and her partner rebranded Pike County Humane Society’s online presence, drafting vibrant, engaging posts that told the back stories of individual animals. They introduced features such as “Pet Tinder,” where followers could “swipe” through spotlighted animals, and hosted the organization’s first-ever “Met Gala” for pets, where animals dressed in costumes walked a mini red carpet.Akshaya Gowrabathini of Sammamish, Washington, for the active involvement essay Nine Lives, Countless Losses: The Hidden Environmental Toll of Feral Cats, which examines how feral cats contribute to environmental degradation and loss of native wildlife. Gowrabathini draws on her experience as a volunteer at a spay/neuter clinic to explore the ethical tension between caring for individual animals and protecting entire ecosystems.Katlynn Williams of Cocoa, Florida, for the essay Bottled Hope, which documents Williams’s efforts to reduce plastic consumption in her community to save marine mammals. Williams convinced her high school to stop selling bottled water and install refill stations, organized monthly beach cleanups, partnered with a local dive shop on “Dive for Debris” events, and persuaded her city’s environmental council to pass a plastic bag ban to help address this human-made crisis.Natalie Nguyen of San Jose, California, for the essay A Call From Our Feathered Friends: Protecting Waterfowl From Chemical Pollution, which explores the many ways that chemical pollution—from pesticide use to oil spills—harms waterfowl species. Nguyen recommends adopting stronger government regulations on the use of chemicals, monitoring site cleanups, and investing in advanced technologies to assist with site restorations.Jiayi (Iris) Li of Weston, Massachusetts, for the essay Bunny Spa Day, which examines the high abandonment rates and lack of legal protections for rabbits. As a volunteer with the House Rabbit Network in Massachusetts, Li has created videos to increase adoption rates and counteract widespread misunderstanding about rabbit welfare.Diyora Kabilova of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the essay The Last Song of the River Dolphin, which documents the plight of India’s vanishing river dolphins. Kabilova organized a film screening and fundraiser to raise awareness about persistent threats to endangered river dolphin populations, including poaching, vessel strikes, and fishing gear entanglements.Click here for more information on the “A Voice for Animals” contest and to review all winning entries.In addition to the essay and video contest, the Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship program, now in its sixth year, recognizes high school seniors in the United States who are actively involved in helping animals in their schools or communities and plan to continue working on behalf of animals in college and beyond. Recipients each receive $3,000 for application toward post-secondary education expenses, along with a free subscription to the AWI Quarterly magazine. The 2025–26 scholarship cycle will open for applications on November 26. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.