Press Releases

La Paz, Mexico—Mexico announced this week that it will ease fishing enforcement in the vaquita’s core Upper Gulf of California habitat at a time when only 10 of these tiny porpoises remain on Earth. The...

Billings, MT—The Global Indigenous Council today released “FAMILY,” a short film highlighting the deep cultural connection Indigenous nations share with wolves and the major threats currently facing imperiled wolves in the lower 48 states. The...

Washington, DC—The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was founded to regulate whaling. Today, it increasingly focuses on the value of live whales for planetary health. A new workshop report confirms the great ecological value of whales...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) commend the US House Appropriations committee for advancing bipartisan language today that would require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds the US House of Representatives for passing the Horse Transportation Safety Act (HTSA) today as part of a massive infrastructure bill. The HTSA would ban the use of...

Washington, DC—The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the Carter-Fitzpatrick Amendment to the INVEST in America Act, which would ban the slaughter of American equines. Led by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Steve...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) endorses Thursday’s reintroduction in the Senate of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 2295) to combat the inhumane practice of “soring,” whereby individuals intentionally inflict pain on...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for passing the Horse Transportation Safety Act (HTSA) today as part of surface transportation legislation. The HTSA would ban the...

Washington, DC—Federal lawmakers reintroduced legislation today to permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States and end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad. Sponsored by US Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Vern...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomes the reintroduction yesterday of the Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). This bill would protect animals from unscrupulous dealers and exhibitors, and close existing...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) welcomes the reintroduction of the Pet Safety and Protection Act by Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ). This crucial legislation would prevent companion dogs and cats from...

Chapel Hill, NC—Red wolf captive breeding facilities today announced the release of four adult red wolves into eastern North Carolina after conservation groups won a federal court ruling in January that required the US Fish...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) endorses today’s reintroduction in Congress of the Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA), which would end the cruel and dangerous pet primate trade in the United States. Nonhuman primates are...

Washington, DC—Today on Earth Day, Representatives Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (I-MP) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) reintroduced the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. The bill, which is endorsed by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), would prohibit...

Washington, DC—Conservation groups filed a petition today urging the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to ban the import and sale of threatened Banggai cardinalfish from Indonesia. The Banggai cardinalfish—a coral reef inhabitant noted for its...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute commends today’s reintroduction of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in the US Senate. Championed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Richard Burr (R-NC)...

Washington, DC—NOAH, Norway’s largest NGO for animals, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), and WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) are urging Mattilsynet, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, to revoke its approval of a potentially cruel and...

Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and Project Coyote commend the Maryland legislature for passing a bill today banning wildlife killing contests that target foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Once the bill is signed by Gov...

Washington, DC—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. In its second year...

Washington, DC—In a series of letters delivered today, conservation groups urged the United States and international authorities to use sanctions to pressure Mexico to save the vaquita, whose population has dwindled to just 10 remaining...