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Latest News
CITES Turns 50: International Trade Agreement Must Do More to Respond to Global Biodiversity Crisis
Friday, March 03, 2023
Today, on World Wildlife Day, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the only international treaty specifically designed...
EU Plan to Protect Marine Species Threatens Seafood Exports to United States
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The European Commission’s EU Action Plan released this week falls short of protecting and restoring marine species, and jeopardizes continued access for EU fish products to the lucrative US seafood market, according to a coalition...
Gulf of Maine Lobster Fishery Abandons Bid for Sustainable Certification
Friday, February 03, 2023
In a move welcomed by the conservation community, the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery will no longer seek recertification under the “blue fish tick” ecolabel, a program of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) that purportedly...
AWI Awards $70,000 to Lab Animal Sanctuaries After Giving Tuesday Campaign
Friday, January 20, 2023
Following the most successful Giving Tuesday fundraiser in recent memory, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has awarded $70,000 to three sanctuaries that provide socialization, veterinary care, enrichment activities, and more for animals previously used in...
New Research: Custom Slaughter Facilities Among Worst for Animal Abuse
Thursday, January 19, 2023
The US Department of Agriculture consistently fails to review and respond to animal welfare violations at custom-exempt slaughter facilities, resulting in animals being beaten, held in deplorable conditions, and deprived of food and water for...
New Legislation Prioritizes Emergency Preparedness to Help Farm Animals and Taxpayers
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Humane Farming Association commend today’s introduction of the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Farm Animals Act (H.R. 243) led by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN).
New Research: Mass Killing of Farm Animals by Heat Stroke Demands Action by Veterinary Community
Thursday, January 05, 2023
In response to disease outbreaks and supply chain disruptions, US producers are killing an increasing number of farm animals by inducing heat stroke—“an urgent ethical problem for the US veterinary community,” according to a newly...
Biden Signs National Defense Authorization Act, Securing Wins for Ocean Policy
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
President Joe Biden has signed into law the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a number of conservation provisions designed to strengthen the United States’ ability to protect marine species and ecosystems.
Federal Spending Bill for Fiscal Year 2023 Delivers Mixed Results for Animals
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
At long last—and with little time to spare—leaders in the US House of Representatives and Senate have released a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package for the remainder of fiscal year 2023. For animals, the bill...
Government Spending Bill Sacrifices Right Whales for Lobster Industry
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is appalled that the omnibus spending bill unveiled by Congress today includes a last-minute policy rider that will all but ensure the extinction of the critically endangered North Atlantic right...
Biden Signs Big Cat Public Safety Act, Enacting Historic Protections for Captive Big Cats
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
President Joe Biden signed the Big Cat Public Safety Act today, officially ending the dangerous trade in pet big cats and ensuring that no more cubs are ripped from their mothers at birth to be...
More Than Half a Million Farm Animals Have Died in Barn Fires in 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022
More than 518,000 farm animals have perished in barn fires so far this year, pushing the death toll to more than 6.3 million since 2013, according to an Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) analysis released today.
Congress Passes Legislation to End US Participation in Global Shark Trade
Friday, December 16, 2022
In a long-awaited victory for sharks across the globe, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act passed the Senate last night.
More than 200 Veterinarians Express Support for Legislation to Permanently End the Slaughter of American Horses
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Today, more than 200 veterinarians sent a letter to the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce and US Senate Committee on the Judiciary expressing support for the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R...
Lawsuit Pushes US to Sanction Mexico as Vaquita Porpoise Nears Extinction
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Conservation groups sued the U.S. Department of the Interior today in federal court to force a long overdue decision to sanction Mexico for allowing illegal fishing and trade that endanger the vaquita porpoise.
Beaver Coexistence Bill Introduced in House
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) for introducing legislation yesterday that would invest in effective, nonlethal solutions to reduce property damage caused by beavers.
Senate Passes Big Cat Public Safety Act, Sends It to President’s Desk
Tuesday, December 06, 2022
The US Senate passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263/S. 1210) today by unanimous consent.
Animals Gain Meaningful Protections at International Wildlife Trade Conference
Friday, December 02, 2022
As the world faces an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), joined by about 60 other animal protection and conservation organizations, helped secure significant progress for wildlife at the 19th meeting of...
AWI Urges US Government to Stop Using Abused or Illegally Trafficked Animals in Taxpayer-Funded Research
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is urging the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to halt their acquisition of research animals from Inotiv; its subsidiaries, Envigo Global...
AWI Refinement Grant Winners Seek Solutions to Improve the Welfare of Animals in Research Laboratories
Monday, November 28, 2022
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) recently awarded Refinement Grants to four individuals who are developing or testing new and creative ways to improve the welfare of animals in research.