2021 Brings Brighter Outlook for Animals

A Message from the President

As we approach the end of the year, AWI is continuing to hold the line for animals. We look forward to 2021 and are eager to work with the new administration to secure a course correction of the anti-animal agenda endured over the past four years and to continue making progress via laws, regulations, and policies that benefit animals and the environments in which they live. 

I am pleased to report that both President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have demonstrated a commitment to protecting animals during their time in Congress. During his six terms in the Senate, Biden sponsored or cosponsored an array of animal welfare bills, including measures to prevent the slaughter of horses for human consumption abroad, end the sale of random source dogs and cats to research laboratories, prohibit the trophy hunting of captive exotic animals, end the brutal treatment of downed livestock, and strengthen restrictions on animal fighting. Biden’s voting record and repeated public statements reflect his determination to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and his recognition of the urgent need to act on climate change.

During her term in the Senate, Harris cosponsored a number of bills to benefit animals, including ones to crack down on soring of Tennessee walking horses, prohibit trade in shark fins, conserve and restore wildlife habitat, prohibit the race-day doping of thoroughbreds, and combat wildlife trafficking and the exotic animal pet trade. While serving as attorney general in California, Harris repeatedly and successfully defended numerous state laws to improve the welfare of farm animals from industry challenges.

Our nation will need to confront a plethora of issues in the new year, but our task, with your help, will be to ensure that the incoming administration and Congress provide animals with the protections they deserve.

—Cathy Liss

AWI Quarterly Terms: General/AWI, Government/Legal, Quick Read