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Latest News
Marine Stewardship Council Delays Rolling Out Sustainable Fishery Standard
Friday, February 09, 2024
Make Stewardship Count, a coalition of more than 90 global marine conservation organizations, experts and academics, is incredibly disappointed by a recent decision by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to delay full implementation of a...
Illinois Bill Would End Mink Farming to Safeguard Human Health
Tuesday, February 06, 2024
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends today’s filing of the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act, which would end mink farming in Illinois to protect human health.
While Primates Suffer, Research Labs Benefit from Paltry Fines, Lax USDA Oversight
Friday, February 02, 2024
National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) that experiment on nonhuman primates stand to gain an additional $30 million in taxpayer funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2024, despite all seven receiving...
Gov. Kotek Called on to Address Growing Disease Risks on Mink Farms
Thursday, February 01, 2024
Wildlife-advocacy and animal-protection groups sent an urgent letter today calling on Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and state officials to address mink fur farms’ escalating threats to public health and wildlife.
SWIMS Act Reintroduced to Phase Out Public Display of Captive Whales
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds US Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and US Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) for reintroducing the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act today.
Fifty Years Later, ESA Remains Strongest Tool to Protect Animals from Extinction
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, landmark legislation that, in the face of relentless political attacks, continues to serve as a global model for the preservation of imperiled wildlife.
Gov. Hochul signs historic bill to end wildlife killing contests in New York
Friday, December 22, 2023
Today, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed critical legislation (A.2917/S.4099) ending wildlife killing contests for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, crows, and other species in New York.
Nearly Half a Million Animals Killed in Barn Fires in 2023
Monday, December 18, 2023
More than 468,000 farmed animals have been killed in barn fires so far this year, according to an Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) analysis of media reports released today.
AWI Donates $48,000 to Six Farm Animal Sanctuaries after Matching Giving Tuesday Fundraising
Monday, December 11, 2023
Today, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) awarded $48,000 to help rescued farmed animals across the country feel secure, respected, and nurtured, following a successful Giving Tuesday campaign last month.
New Report: Poultry Slaughter Plants Continue to Evade USDA Enforcement
Wednesday, December 06, 2023
The US Department of Agriculture continues to allow birds to be mutilated by machinery, slammed against walls, and buried alive in slaughterhouses without holding the industry accountable, according to a new report released today by...
Report: US Must Ban Seafood from 11 Nations Over Whale, Dolphin Deaths
Thursday, November 30, 2023
A report issued today by conservation groups finds that 11 nations have at least some fisheries that fail to meet US standards for preventing whale and dolphin bycatch.
Wildlife-Killing Cyanide Bombs Banned on Lands Managed by Federal Agency
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomed a decision last week by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to ban wildlife-killing M-44 devices, commonly known as “cyanide bombs,” across 245 million acres of BLM-managed lands.
Legal Petition Urges USDA to Adopt Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Wildlife Services Program
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Today, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Center for Biological Diversity, Project Coyote, the Animal Welfare Institute, and WildEarth Guardians submitted a petition for rulemaking to the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection...
Help Rescued Farmed Animals Thrive in Sanctuaries This #GivingTuesday
Monday, November 20, 2023
November 28 is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving to inspire positive change in our communities and beyond. This year, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is partnering with six farmed animal sanctuaries across the...
USDA Poised to Change Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards to Improve Animal Welfare
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Yesterday, the US Department of Agriculture announced plans to publish the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards final rule.
Ejiao Act Reintroduced to Protect Donkeys from Dangerous Gelatin Trade
Thursday, October 26, 2023
US Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) reintroduced the Ejiao Act Tuesday in the House of Representatives to ban the sale and trade of ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) products in the United States.
New Report Debunks Claims of Whale and Dolphin Hunters in Faroe Islands
Monday, September 25, 2023
Today, in the wake of the latest Faroe Islands drive hunt on Friday that killed 42 more pilot whales, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and six other leading animal welfare and marine conservation organizations released...
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Votes to Ban Wildlife Killing Contests
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously Friday to adopt a rule prohibiting wildlife killing contests for coyotes and other species classified as unprotected mammals in the state.
UNESCO World Heritage Committee: Vaquita Porpoise Habitat Still “In Danger”
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided today to maintain the “in danger” status for the last remaining habitat of the vaquita porpoise and the totoaba fish.
Iceland to Resume Whaling with Restrictions
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Iceland will again allow fin whaling, beginning Sept. 1, but with stricter requirements, the country’s minister of food, agriculture and fisheries announced today.