For media information or interview opportunities regarding the Animal Welfare Institute, please contact:
Margie Fishman
Public Relations Manager
Animal Welfare Institute
(202) 337-2332
[email protected]
Need an Expert?
AWI offers a number of experts that specialize in various topics across the animal welfare arena; a list can be seen here. If you are interested in speaking with one of our experts, please contact AWI at [email protected] or (202) 337-2332.
Follow us on Social Media
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.
Latest News
Legislation to Ban Brutal and Indiscriminate Body-Gripping Traps Reintroduced
Monday, October 18, 2021
Washington, DC—The Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act was reintroduced last Friday in the House of Representatives by Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC).
Norway’s Whale Meat Industry Has Gone to the Dogs
Monday, October 18, 2021
Just days after the Norwegian whaling industry announced that 575 minke whales were slaughtered this season (the most in five years) new documents reveal that whalers are struggling to sell the whale meat—and even offloading...
Minnesota Law Enforcement Urged to Investigate Butterfield, Jennie-O for Animal Cruelty
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Today, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) sent letters to two county sheriffs in Minnesota, urging them to investigate and consider filing charges against Butterfield Foods, headquartered in Butterfield, Minnesota, and a Jennie-O Turkey Store facility...
Judge Rules Humane Handling Lawsuit Against USDA Must Move Forward
Thursday, October 14, 2021
In a potential victory for billions of birds, a federal judge ruled yesterday that a lawsuit filed against the US Department of Agriculture for failing to require humane handling of poultry at slaughter will move...
Judge Permanently Revokes License of Notorious Chinchilla Supplier, Calls Violations “Absolutely Astounding”
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Citing a pattern of chronic Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations, an administrative law judge on Friday permanently revoked the dealer license of Dan Moulton, owner of Moulton Chinchilla Ranch (MCR), one of the nation’s only...
Safe Haven Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets Vary Markedly by State
Thursday, October 07, 2021
In 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.
On the Heels of Walking Horse Celebration, House Revives Legislation to End Brutal Practice of Horse Soring
Monday, October 04, 2021
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomes Friday’s reintroduction in the US House of Representatives of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to combat the inhumane practice of “soring,” whereby individuals intentionally inflict pain on...
Planned Export of 42 Wild-Caught Live Elephants from Namibia May Violate International Law
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Conservationists and wildlife trade experts from nongovernmental organizations across the globe are calling for a halt to Namibia’s controversial capture and export of wild elephant family groups, including a unique, desert-adapted elephant population that is...
Norwegian Whalers Slaughter 575 Whales During 2021 Season, Highest Since 2016 Despite Low Demand For Whale Meat
Monday, September 27, 2021
Norwegian whalers killed the highest number of minke whales this season in five years, despite dwindling public appetite for whale meat.
AWI Opposes Judge’s Recommendation to Allow Makah Tribe to Hunt Gray Whales
Monday, September 27, 2021
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is disappointed by a judge’s recent decision to recommend that a federal agency issue a waiver allowing the Makah Tribe to hunt gray whales.
Animal Welfare Groups Commend US Senators for Reintroducing Bill to Ban Horse Slaughter
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Today, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers reintroduced legislation to permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States and end the current export of American horses for slaughter.
A Voice for Animals Contest Winners Inspire New Crop of Advocates
Friday, September 10, 2021
From 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 not only care...
USMCA Commission: Mexico Must Respond on Vaquita Enforcement Failures
Thursday, September 09, 2021
Mexico must respond to allegations that the government failed to enforce protections for the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, according to a decision by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, an environmental review body under the United...
Petition Seeks US Protections for Atlantic Humpback Dolphin
Wednesday, September 08, 2021
Today, the Animal Welfare Institute and other conservation groups petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Atlantic humpback dolphin populations are in serious...
USMCA Commission Urged to Investigate Mexico’s Failure to Protect Vaquita Porpoise
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Conservation groups petitioned the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) today to investigate Mexico’s failure to enforce its fishing and trade laws. Mexico’s enforcement failures violate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and if continued will cause...
Rep. DeFazio Introduces Bill to Ban Deadly “Cyanide Bombs” on Public Lands
Monday, August 09, 2021
A bill introduced Friday by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) seeks to ban the use of wildlife-killing M-44 devices, commonly known as “cyanide bombs,” on federal public lands. These deadly devices—spring-loaded capsules armed with cyanide spray—have...
Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act Would Protect Animals, Wild and Domestic
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressional Animal Protection Caucus Co-Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for reintroducing the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act today.
Mexico Drastically Eases Enforcement in Vaquita “Zero Tolerance” Area
Friday, July 16, 2021
Mexico announced this week that it will ease fishing enforcement in the vaquita’s core Upper Gulf of California habitat at a time when only 10 of these tiny porpoises remain on Earth. The move will...
Indigenous-Directed Short Film Asks Interior Secretary Haaland to Return Federal Protections to Gray Wolves
Wednesday, July 07, 2021
The Global Indigenous Council today released “FAMILY,” a short film highlighting the deep cultural connection Indigenous nations share with wolves and the major threats currently facing imperiled wolves in the lower 48 states.
IWC Report Emphasizes Enormous Value of Living Whales to Ocean Ecosystems
Tuesday, July 06, 2021
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was founded to regulate whaling. Today, it increasingly focuses on the value of live whales for planetary health. A new workshop report confirms the great ecological value of whales to...