Program Term Archive

Companion Animals

PREPARED Act Aims to Save Animals from Natural, Man-Made Disasters

Press ReleaseFebruary 7, 2019Animals in Laboratories, Companion Animals

Fires, floods and earthquakes can cause intense suffering and death to the millions of animals trapped in commercial and research facilities. Today, Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Peter King (R-NY)...

From Shelter to Savior: Rescues Shine as Working Dogs

Companion Animals

Ann Hastings, director of violence prevention at 360 Communities, a community service organization in Minnesota, knew that something was missing from her department—a therapy dog. Finally, upon identifying the right...

Massachusetts Adds to Animal Cruelty Statute

Companion Animals

When Massachusetts strengthened its animal cruelty statute in 2014, it also set up a task force to make additional recommendations. A new law resulted—signed in August—that raises certain penalties and...

Birds of a Feather

Companion Animals

The cover of Birds of a Feather: A True Story of Hope and the Healing Power of Animals, features a photo of a veteran embracing a parrot, who rests her head...

The Inner Life of Cats

Companion Animals

Thomas McNamee provides a window into what makes cats tick in The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions. Anecdotes centering on his own cats,...

New Manual Helps Protect Ohio Domestic Violence Survivors and their Pets

Press ReleaseSeptember 10, 2018Companion Animals

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) unveiled a new publication entitled “Representing Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets in Ohio: A Manual for Domestic Violence Attorneys & Advocates Helping Survivors Obtain Protection...

Animal Welfare Institute, Other Groups Urge Florida Governor to Reassign Raccoon Drowning Case

Press ReleaseAugust 1, 2018Companion Animals, Farmed Animals, Terrestrial Wildlife

In a letter sent Monday to Florida Gov. Rick Scott regarding the Ocala teacher accused of drowning animals in front of his students, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the Association of Prosecuting...

AWI Urges House Vote on Eliminating “Crush Video” Loophole

Press ReleaseJune 14, 2018Animals in Laboratories, Companion Animals, Marine Wildlife

Six months after the Senate unanimously adopted the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, the bill remains stalled in the US House of Representatives. In a letter issued today...

Military Dogs Not Getting Their Due

Companion Animals

Since 2000, Congress has acted to improve the treatment of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) by facilitating their adoption at the end of their careers and authorizing the creation of a...

Pratt Fall: USDA Fails Again at AWA Enforcement

Companion Animals

In a November 15, 2014, Des Moines Register article, Debra Pratt was called “a poster child” for the “kind of animal neglect that coins the phrase ‘puppy mill.’” After years...