Program Term Archive
Companion Animals
Who Will Let The Dogs Out
Companion AnimalsCara Achterberg is the cofounder and board president of the nonprofit organization Who Will Let the Dogs Out. In Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters...
Georgia Joins List of States that Include Pets in Protection Orders
Companion AnimalsIn surveys of domestic violence survivors, as many as 48 percent have indicated that they delayed leaving a dangerous situation because they had no way to keep their pets safe....
Helping Unhoused Pets and Their People Find Shelter
Companion AnimalsAWI is pleased to announce that its Safe Havens for Pets directory has expanded to include pet-friendly sheltering resources for individuals who are experiencing homelessness with a companion animal. In 2011, AWI...
New AWI Grant Funds Analysis of Animal Cruelty Data to Better Protect Animals and Communities
Press ReleaseMay 12, 2025Companion AnimalsThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has awarded an inaugural research grant to encourage the analysis of animal cruelty data to identify distinct characteristics of animal abusers, leading to more targeted intervention and...
Animal Cruelty
Companion AnimalsAlthough most pet owners consider companion animals to be beloved members of their family, some animals kept as pets sadly experience cruelty and neglect.
The Link: People and Pets in Crisis
Companion AnimalsThe human-animal bond is mutually beneficial, and the welfare of people and their pets is inextricably linked. At times, the welfare of both is jeopardized by concerns such as homelessness...
Captive Primate Safety Act Would End the Cruel and Dangerous Primate Pet Trade
Press ReleaseMay 6, 2025Terrestrial WildlifeThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds yesterday’s reintroduction of the Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA), which would end the cruel and dangerous pet primate trade in the United States. Nonhuman...
Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act
Companion AnimalsH.R. 712, introduced by Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Julia Brownley (D-CA), amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to expand the data collected around child abuse cases...
Companion Animals
Companion AnimalsAccording to the 2025 National Pet Owners Survey, over two thirds of all US households include a companion animal. While the majority of pets are cats or dogs, millions of...
AWI Priority Bills Reintroduced
Companion Animals, Equines, Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial WildlifeTwo of AWI’s priority equine bills were reintroduced at the end of February in recognition of National Horse Protection Day on March 1. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Jan Schakowsky...