Program Term Archive
Companion Animals
Birds Finally in Line for Animal Welfare Act Protections
Animals in Laboratories, Companion Animals, Terrestrial WildlifeIt only took 20 years, two lawsuits, and prodding from Congress for the US Department of Agriculture to finally propose regulations to extend Animal Welfare Act (AWA) protections to birds...
Abhorrent Dog Breeder Finally Forced to Surrender Animals and License
Companion AnimalsOn October 29, the US Department of Agriculture permanently revoked the license of Iowa dog breeder Daniel Gingerich and fined him $500,000, after the Department of Justice filed a complaint...
USDA Attempts to Sweep Bungled HPA Enforcement Under the Rug
Companion Animals, EquinesThe Horse Protection Act (HPA) was passed in 1970 to clamp down on the practice of soring (intentionally injuring horses’ legs and hooves) to create a more high-stepping gait for...
All Creatures Safe and Sound
Companion AnimalsIn 2005, hundreds of thousands of companion animals died or were left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Pictures of abandoned pets taking refuge on the roofs of cars and houses flooded...
OIG Report Exposes Recordkeeping Chaos at USDA Animal Care
Companion AnimalsIn another indictment of the US Department of Agriculture’s lax enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a new report from the department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) criticizes the...
Spotlighting Safe Haven Services for People and Pets
Companion AnimalsIn 2011, AWI’s Safe Havens Mapping Project developed an integrated, comprehensive state-by-state listing of sheltering services for the animals of those experiencing domestic violence. Today, there are approximately 1,200 Safe...
Equine Protection Measures Advance
Companion Animals, EquinesThe House of Representatives passed two of AWI’s equine welfare priorities as part of the transportation and infrastructure package (HR 3684). One is an amendment banning the transport of equines...
When Animals Rescue
Companion Animals, Terrestrial WildlifeMore and more, advances in animal cognition research are changing the ways in which people perceive animals. Belinda Recio’s latest book, When Animals Rescue: Amazing True Stories about Heroic and Helpful...
Safe Haven Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets Vary Markedly by State
Press ReleaseOctober 7, 2021Companion AnimalsIn honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) released new research today that ranks states according to the number of safe havens available per capita. Safe havens...
A Voice for Animals Contest Winners Inspire New Crop of Advocates
Press ReleaseSeptember 10, 2021Companion Animals, Farmed Animals, Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial WildlifeFrom shuttling India’s street dogs to veterinary offices to writing a children’s book about how plastic pollution harms marine life, the winners of the 2021 “A Voice for Animals” contest show they...