Program Term Archive
Companion Animals
Amtrak Expands “Pets Aboard” Service
Companion AnimalsAfter a successful trial run in Illinois, Amtrak is expanding its Pets Aboard service to certain Northeast Corridor routes. Passengers may bring their cat or small dog with them on...
Crush Video Perpetrator Convicted
Companion AnimalsOn September 8, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced that Ashley Nicole Richards pleaded guilty to five counts of producing and distributing crush videos that...
New Jersey Strengthens Dog Fighting Laws
Companion AnimalsAfter a years-long effort by animal advocates, dog fighting is now an offense under New Jersey’s racketeering statute. The new law (S 736) creates two new crimes: “dog fighting,” which...
Wielding the Gavel Against Animal Cruelty
Companion AnimalsWhen it comes to animal cruelty cases, it is often hard to tell whether the glass is half empty or half full. Some individuals who have committed heinous acts of...
PAWS Act on Positive Track
Companion AnimalsOn September 18, AWI joined other animal protection organizations in co-hosting a briefing by the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus for staff of members of the US House of Representatives on...
Animals and Criminal Justice
Companion AnimalsNever judge a book by its cover—good advice. This one may lead the reader to expect a review of current trends in the treatment of animals by the criminal justice...
Roybal-Allard Amendment Blocks Funds to License Dealers of Randomly Sourced Cats and Dogs
Press ReleaseJuly 9, 2015Companion AnimalsIn a great victory for animal welfare, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) succeeded in including language in the manager’s amendment of the House Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2016 Agriculture Bill to...
Bill to Protect Companion Animals from Unscrupulous Animal Dealers
Press ReleaseJune 24, 2015Companion AnimalsThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomes the reintroduction by Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ) of the Pet Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 2849). In order to protect companion animals from illegal sale...
AWI Applauds Humane Cosmetics Act Introduction
Press ReleaseJune 23, 2015Companion AnimalsThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds Representatives Martha McSally (R-AZ), Don Beyer (D-VA), Joe Heck (R-NV), and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) for introducing the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2858). This bipartisan...
Illinois Steps Up for Children and Companion Animals, Steps Back on Bobcats
Companion Animals, Terrestrial WildlifeHB 3231, a bill proposed by AWI that provides for additional penalties when animal abuse is committed in front of a minor, passed the Illinois legislature (unanimously, in both chambers!)...