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A Humane World

"A Humane World" is the official blog of the HSUS—a first-hand account of our ongoing efforts to protect animals, as told by our current president and CEO, Kitty Block. Subscribe for daily or weekly updates.

The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International presented the 2023 Russell and Burch Award at World Congress 12

The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International present the Russell and Burch award to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of alternative methods in the areas of research, testing or higher education for the Russell and Burch Award...

Statement on horse deaths at Saratoga Race Course

WASHINGTON—Following the recent spate of horse deaths at the Saratoga Race Course this summer, Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States released the following statement: “In a tragic and disturbing summer at the Saratoga Race Course, 11 horses have died. Many of...

Beagle-versary: Following their historic rescue, nearly 4,000 beagles and their families mark their first anniversary together

WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States is marking one year since its epic operation to remove nearly 4,000 beagles from a mass breeding facility in Virginia owned by Envigo.The U.S. Department of Justice sued the company after it received multiple Animal Welfare Act violations for issues...

Stressed tigers forced to perform at Minnesota fair

Waconia, MINNESOTA—On Aug. 10, the Humane Society of the United States attended the Carver County Fair Tiger Encounter exhibit to witness firsthand how the animals were being treated in a show that claims to raise awareness about the plight of tigers in the wild and their rapid rate to extinction...

Dogs rescued from alleged dogfighting and cruelty situation in Gaston County, North Carolina

The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Gaston County Police Department and their Animal Care and Enforcement Unit in rescuing 14 dogs from an alleged dogfighting and cruelty situation in Gaston County, North Carolina. A representative from the Gaston County District Attorney’s...

Gov. Kotek signs lifesaving animal protection measures into law in Oregon

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed bills to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies and kittens in pet stores (HB 2915) and to end the sale of animal-tested cosmetics (HB 3213). Kotek also recently signed a package of housing bills that included funding for domestic violence and homeless shelters to better...

New Jersey becomes the latest state to ban the extreme confinement of mother pigs and calves used for veal

TRENTON, N.J. —Today, a bill to ban the crates used to cruelly confine mother pigs and calves raised for veal was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill is sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. It passed the state Senate in June 2023 and state Assembly in May 2023. The...

Bipartisan legislation to prohibit the use of wild animals in traveling exhibits heard by Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development

BOSTON—Today the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development heard testimony on bills prohibiting the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes and bears in traveling exhibits and shows (H.3245 and S.2197/S.2189). This critical, bipartisan legislation serves to...

Humane groups denounce USDA plan to withdraw 2017 rule to protect horses

The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund have denounced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal to withdraw a regulation to protect horses from the cruel and unlawful practice of “soring”, with no commitment to a timeline for implementing increased...

Reward offered in Ohio for information on dog killed along bike trail

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of a dog in Sandusky County, Ohio. The Case: On Sunday, July 16, 2023, Sandusky County Humane Agents...

HSUS staff member with a dog and her puppies rescued from a large-scale alleged cruelty case at a puppy breeding operation in Hertford County, North Carolina.

We showed up for Sally

Thin, fearful Sally greeted our Animal Rescue Team with barks, then gentle sniffs. A mom of three puppies so tiny they hadn’t yet opened their eyes, Sally was housed outdoors in a plastic shelter with no apparent food or water. She stayed nose to nose with her days-old puppies as our rescuers lifted...

Maysville becomes latest Kentucky community to repeal ban on certain dog breeds

MAYSVILLE, Ken.—Earlier today, the city of Maysville became the latest Kentucky community to repeal its longstanding ban on owning certain breeds of dogs, including many pit bull-type dogs. At today’s Maysville City Commission meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to repeal the ban, which had...