Program Term Archive

Companion Animals

Long-Lost Dog Reunited with Family

Companion Animals

Shortly before Thanksgiving, a stray dog was brought to a local shelter in San Antonio. The dog was scanned and found to have a microchip that identified his family. After...

USDA Allows Abysmal Conditions to Persist at Pennsylvania Guinea Pig Breeders

Companion Animals

Loganton, Pennsylvania, a tiny one-square-mile Amish farming community, is home to 468 residents and 15 USDA-licensed guinea pig breeders. While this may suggest the community has a fondness for these...

The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals

Companion Animals

As part of an ethnographic study, Katja Guenther—an associate professor of gender and sexuality studies at UC Riverside—spent three years as a volunteer at a high-intake animal shelter in metropolitan...

AWI Endorses Legislation to Ban Archaic Body-Gripping Traps

Press ReleaseDecember 3, 2020Companion Animals, Terrestrial Wildlife

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomes the reintroduction of the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act yesterday by Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC) and Nita Lowey (D-NY). This bill would prohibit...

VA Told to Reduce Reliance on Dogs in Research

Animals in Laboratories, Companion Animals

A committee of experts—convened at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to review whether it is “necessary” for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue using...

All US States Now Allow Vets to Report Suspected Animal Abuse

Companion Animals

The crucial role of veterinarians in identifying and reporting suspected animal abuse is becoming clearer—to the public, to law enforcement, to veterinarians themselves, and to lawmakers. Most recently, thanks to...

Expanding Safe Haven Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets

Companion Animals

Chris was in an abusive relationship, and she knew she had to leave. But she hesitated. She didn’t have family nearby and having just moved to a new area, she...

The One and Only Bob

Companion Animals

Bob has not had an easy life. As a puppy, he and his siblings were thrown from a truck window by a cruel owner. Bruised and starving, Bob found his...

New Website Offers Shelter Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets

Press ReleaseOctober 8, 2020Companion Animals

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) unveiled today a comprehensive website that aims to help domestic violence survivors and their pets escape abusive situations. Launched during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,...

Coronavirus and Pets: Saving Our Companion Animals

Companion Animals

We have borne witness to the devastating effects of COVID-19, which is wreaking havoc throughout the United States and across the globe. While our attention has been focused on protecting...