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Throughout North America, more than 75 jurisdictions have passed legislation banning the sale of commercially bred animals (primarily dogs and cats), encouraging pet retailers that opt to sell animals to source them from rescue organizations and shelters.  These ordinances make a vital connection by promoting animal welfare and exposing the risks and harms perpetuated by the […]

August 12 is World Elephant Day, and a perfect time to consider the intersection of human-wildlife interactions. Current estimates indicate that four elephants die an hour at the hands of poachers.  Even with the recent effort in the U.S. (finally) to end the commercial ivory trade, recent news delivers a mixed bag for wildlife. The lion In […]

In the U.S. and China, meat consumption is relatively high compared to global rates.  Despite the growing consensus on animal sentience, seemingly few people question the practice of eating animals as a moral issue.  Though across the U.S., strong public interest in “humane” meat  has grown.  Subsequently, considerations of the “humane myth” have also been on the rise. […]

One smart pig recently strutted her stuff and performed at a dog show, and she may have taken the face of farm animal welfare causes to the dogs in the process. Amy the pig’s story started when she attended a puppy training class in Seattle. She mastered the basics, then went on to learn agility skills and […]

Veal.  Baby cows.  Calves.  Cows.  Cattle.  Beef.  Downers.  What’s the point of these differentiations? A pending regulation brings the issue of differentiating language to the forefront, pushing for the USDA to address a loophole that allows for the slaughter of calves that are too weak to stand on their own, often called “downer calves.”  Downer cows […]