AWI recently published a report on the USDA’s label approval process for “free range” (and equivalent) claims. The report shows that the USDA inadequately defines and evaluates the claim.
This February, AWI and Animal Outlook (formerly Compassion Over Killing) submitted a request for enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law to the Department of Justice.
Wildlife Services, a US Department of Agriculture program with a long history of using taxpayer funds to needlessly kill wildlife, increased its already-enormous take of wild animals last year. The program’s kill statistics have varied substantially over time—ranging in recent years from 1.5 million to more than 5 million annual deaths.
Norway has seen a continuous drop in demand for whale meat for several years, yet it continues to set quotas and kill whales in defiance of the commercial whaling moratorium established by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). In fact, over the past decade, Norway has killed more whales than either Japan or Iceland; over the past two years, it has killed more whales than Iceland and Japan combined.
In November, AWI and allies sued the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by grossly mismanaging the wild red wolf population in North Carolina.
Sunday will mark the 60th anniversary of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). In honor of this, the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus co-chairmen, Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA) and Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA), recognized AWI with a resolution commemorating the organization’s 60th year.
AWI's first-ever bat-tacular fundraiser is over, but you can follow the links below to learn more about the four organizations we supported that operate bat rescues, sanctuaries, and educational outreach programs to promote and protect these vanis
An early highlight of the 16th meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties was the presentation of AWI’s Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards, honoring those who have demonstrated remarkable effort to protect wildlife.
The Christine Stevens Wildlife Award—named in honor of AWI’s late founder and president for over 50 years—provides grants of up to $15,000 to help fund innovative strategies for humane, nonlethal wildlife conflict management and study.
The Animal Welfare Institute today unveiled its revamped legislative action center, the Compassion Index (CI), located online at www.compassionindex.org.
A group of marine researchers and scientists, including Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) marine mammal scientist Dr. Naomi Rose, filed an amicus brief today in defense of Lolita, the lone orca who has languished for over 45 years at the Miami Seaquarium. Specifically, the amicus brief supports a petition for a rehearing at the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which recently affirmed a lower court finding that the substandard conditions under which Lolita is held do not pose a threat of serious harm to her.
Nearly 10,000 copies of a Chinese language edition of A Dangerous Life, a graphic novel for middle school–aged readers about the ivory trade, are being distributed this year to school children in China.
After four decades in the fight to end commercial whaling worldwide, Kate O’Connell, senior policy consultant for AWI’s Marine Life program, is on a first-name basis with virtually every major player impacting the cetacean protection movement.
A federal court in New York recently denied the US Department of Agriculture’s motion to dismiss claims by AWI and other organizations alleging the department has illegally failed to regulate the humane treatment of nonambulatory, “downed” (NAD) p
The Animal Welfare Institute and other US animal protection and conservation groups organized a rally in Portland, Maine, on May 31, 2013, to protest Iceland’s expanding commercial whaling program. The rally coincided with Maine’s International Trade Day, featuring the president of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, as keynote speaker.
AWI has updated its Refinement Database, which curates published scientific articles and books on improving the welfare of animals in research and testing.
In its ongoing effort to address the needs of victims of domestic violence and their companion animals, the Animal Welfare Institute announces a new feature on its Animals and Family Violence web page: a listing of Safe Havens searchable by zip code (www.awionline.org/safe-havens).
The Animal Welfare Institute welcomes the announcement today by SeaWorld that it will end the company-wide breeding program for its orcas, which will lead to a phase-out of the display of orcas in all of its parks. SeaWorld will also refocus on its rescue, rehabilitation and release mission, become more actively and openly engaged in advocacy for marine conservation, and promote more environmentally sound and humane practices when sourcing food for its parks' restaurants.
AWI is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s AWI Scholarship, helping students pursue career opportunities focused on improving animal welfare:
The ever-rising cost of a college education can be daunting—particularly if you plan to enter fields involving animal care, conservation, and/or advocacy, where love of animals and dedication to the cause are greater draws than earning potential.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announced today the 13 winners of a scholarship designed to support high school seniors who are pursuing post-secondary education to better the lives of animals.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announced today the 12 winners of a scholarship designed to invest in future leaders who seek to improve the lives of animals—from advancing medical research techniques that don’t rely on animal testing to advocating humane agricultural practices.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announced today the 12 winners of a scholarship designed to support high school seniors who are planning to use their post-secondary education to better the lives of animals.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) announced today the 14 winners of a scholarship designed to support high school seniors who are planning to use their post-secondary education to better the lives of animals.
