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Animal Welfare Institute
(202) 337-2332
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Latest News
House Passes PAST Act to End Equine Abuse at Horse Shows
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2021 (H.R. 5441), moving one step closer to enshrining the most significant protections for Tennessee walking horses and related breeds...
AWI Honors Environmental Pioneer Jennifer Lonsdale with Schweitzer Medal
Wednesday, November 02, 2022
Jennifer Lonsdale OBE, who cofounded the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and has dedicated more than three decades to protecting the world’s oceans from environmental crimes and abuses, has received the prestigious Schweitzer Medal from...
USDA Urged to Strengthen Farm Animal Welfare by Finalizing Long-Awaited Organic Standards
Thursday, October 27, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) are leading more than 15 other organizations, farmers, and companies in urging the US Department of Agriculture...
New House Bill Aims to Protect and Preserve Wild Horses
Friday, October 07, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) applaud today’s introduction of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Protection Act of 2022, which—if passed—would represent the most meaningful update to federal...
Hawaii Weighs Long-Overdue Welfare Reforms in Farm Animal Transport
Friday, October 07, 2022
Following years of delays, on October 11 the Hawaii Board of Agriculture will finally consider regulations to protect cattle, sheep, and goats transported via sea vessel between the Hawaiian Islands.
New Report: Largest Counties Lack Adequate Shelters for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims
Monday, October 03, 2022
In recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has released new research that identifies a lack of sheltering services around the country—including in some of the most populated...
Norwegian Whalers Slaughter 580 Whales During 2022 Season, Highest Number in Six Years
Friday, September 30, 2022
In defiance of a 40-year-old international agreement to protect whales, Norway slaughtered at least 580 whales during the 2022 whaling season—the highest number in six years.
Lawmakers, Advocates Celebrate 50 Years of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Today, a coalition of more than 20 animal and environmental protection organizations gathered alongside scientists, agency officials, and legislators to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Lawmakers Urge Federal Agency to Protect Public Health and Wildlife from Dangerous Mink Trade
Monday, September 19, 2022
US Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife, was joined by 20 colleagues today on a letter urging the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to...
Puppy Mill Restrictions Introduced in Ohio; Animal Advocates Honor Rep. Laura Lanese
Monday, September 19, 2022
Reps. Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) and James Hoops (R-Napoleon) will introduce legislation Wednesday to ban puppy mills and other commercial dog breeders from performing painful procedures such as cutting off puppies’ tails and pulling out...
AVERT Future Violence Act Introduced to Further Investigate Link Between Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence and Help Rehabilitate Offenders
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Time and time again, we learn that individuals who have committed violent acts against others—whether it be a spouse, a parent, or the 21 schoolchildren and teachers gunned down this year in Uvalde, Texas—also have...
“A Voice for Animals” Essay Contest Winners Demonstrate Ingenuity in Promoting Human-Animal Coexistence
Thursday, August 04, 2022
From documenting the plight of city pigeons to describing how the barn owl is harmed by folklore and superstition, the winners of the 2022 “A Voice for Animals” contest use their voices to explore urban...
AWI Recommends Higher Welfare Standards for Dairy Cattle Under FARM Certification
Thursday, August 04, 2022
In a letter delivered today to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) urged the industry group to improve its welfare standards for dairy cattle to better meet consumer expectations of...
Faroe Islanders Slaughter an Estimated 100 Bottlenose Dolphins
Monday, August 01, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is gravely disappointed to learn that an estimated 100 bottlenose dolphins were slaughtered Friday in the latest Faroe Islands drive hunt.
House Passes Big Cat Public Safety Act to Limit Possession of Dangerous Big Cats
Monday, August 01, 2022
On International Tiger Day, the US House of Representatives passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act late Friday by a vote of 278-134, aiming to end several abusive practices associated with keeping big cats in...
Legislation to Phase Out Public Display of Captive Whales Introduced in Congress
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) for introducing the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act today.
House of Representatives Passes Funding Bill with Numerous Wins for Animals
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Animals saw important victories in a bill (H.R. 8294) passed yesterday by the House of Representatives to fund the US Department of the Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies in fiscal...
Envigo Settlement Is First Step in Addressing Company’s Abysmal Animal Welfare Record
Monday, July 18, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is grateful that thousands of dogs will be rescued from abusive conditions following a settlement reached Thursday between the federal government and Envigo, a company that breeds and sells animals...
40th Anniversary of Global Ban on Commercial Whaling Commemorated
Monday, July 18, 2022
The 40th anniversary of the global ban on commercial whaling has been marked today, with a plaque unveiled to hail one of the most significant conservation victories of all time.
For the Second Year, Norway Experiment Endangers Whales, Delivers No Results
Thursday, July 14, 2022
A risky and reckless experiment that aimed to capture whales in Norway and test how they would respond to ocean noise ended on June 30 with no measurable results—apart from causing unnecessary stress to a...