The Ministry of the Environment is in the process of amending the Japanese animal protection law. The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) has proposed that the Ministry exempt JAZA's members from the current requirement to register as animal handlers with local authorities. From the Petition Site. please visit and sign. MORE

The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA by Norm Phelps came out in 2007. In a brisk, readable narrative, The Longest Struggle traces the campaigns of animal rights pioneers like Henry Spira, Alex Hershaft, and Ingrid Newkirk, as well as leaders who have come more recently on the scene like Heidi Prescott, Karen Davis, and Bruce Friedrich. Tags: animal rights Worth a look. MORE

Because animal flesh sold for human consumption abroad must be inspected by a USDA inspector, the court ruling may mean that the few remaining horse-slaughtering plants in the U.S.—including Other victories by animal protection advocates and their impacts are discussed here Horses destined for inhumane slaughter in the U.S. can now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to a recent ruling in a federal appeals court. MORE

According to this Technorati article , the Humane Society rated the states on their animal protection laws. New Jersey Illinois Massachusetts Colorado Maine WORST STATES Ohio Hawaii Alabama North Dakota Mississippi Idaho South Dakota (worst) According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the states fell this way. animal abuse animal cruelty california legislation humane society us MORE

We recently got a chance to check out a lovely line of jewelry that celebrates animals, and supports the ASPCA! It’s called Heart U Back , and they offer a lot of fashion forward choices for animal lovers. Tags: people helping animals reviews MORE

I'm behind on my email and only just read this action alert from the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Less than one year ago, Puerto Rico enacted a landmark animal protection law, based in part on a set of model laws drafted by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. states and jurisdictions with regards to the strength of their laws protecting animals. Tags: animal experimentation puerto rico animal research primates medical research MORE

The mission of the Santa Paws Drive is to bring holiday cheer to shelter animals around the world. Six shelter were chosen out of many nominations to recieve the special packages, but now it’s up to you to help the shelter animal’s dreams come true! MORE

Tails are sure to wag on Friday, June 12t h as Luna Boston hosts “Doggies + Bags,” a special benefit party for the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS). A Luna Boston stylist will be on-hand to help you update your wardrobe for summer with the latest trends, and twenty-five percent of all proceeds made during the event will be donated to help CAPS in its mission to protect companions from cruelty and inhumane breeding practices in Pet Shops and Puppy Mills. MORE

FEI) at the outset of a nine-year-old suit brought by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) that culminated in a six-week trial in March. The ASPCA, Born Free USA (Animal Protection Institute), Animal Welfare Institute, Fund for Animals along with former Ringling animal trainer Tom Rider had accused the circus of shackling, confining and striking elephants with bullhooks, which have a sharp steel hook at one end. MORE

The opening line in this USA Today article says it all, "Every proposal to protect marine species at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting in Doha, Qatar was voted down." Tags: CITES marine animals Japan china endangered species It's unfortunate, but true, thanks primarily to Japan and China. MORE

According to this interview, he credits animal rights extremists for fueling the public backlash against animal protection. Tags: UK animal research Discouraging article. MORE

Hal Herzog’s “ Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat ” (Harper 2011), though fascinating, is ultimately depressing for vegans and animal rights activists. Well, as it turns out neither a trip to a slaughterhouse nor killing an animal yourself is powerful enough to make people go vegan. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ A Disgraceful Farm Bill ” (editorial, May 16): While the farm bill recently approved by Congress deals with enormous agricultural policy issues, it also includes three important provisions to protect animal welfare. Because the Agriculture Department enforces the Animal Welfare Act, this authorizing bill deals with a broad range of subjects regarding the humane treatment of animals. MORE

To the Editor: As Mark Bittman rightly notes, California’s new farm animal welfare law presages what is coming for all farm animal industries nationally (“ Hens, Unbound ,” column, Jan. The tiny cages and crates that confine about 90 percent of laying hens and more than 80 percent of gestating sows are both physically and mentally tormenting for the animals involved. Physically, the muscles and the bones of the animals atrophy from lack of use. MORE

Here are my initial thoughts, though: "Animal Protection." On the upside, you don't have to give any money to animal protection if your beliefs aren't represented by the choice of groups being supported. Good, as I can learn from others about the pluses and minuses of groups that are new to me, and bad, as (see "Animal Protection") the members might choose a group I wouldn't support. MORE

An animal rights group based in the United States has ranked Quebec “the best province to be an animal abuser” in a report on Canada’s animal welfare record. The Animal Legal Defence Fund says in its fourth annual report ranking Canada’s 13 provinces and territories on their animal protection laws that only Nunavut ranks worse than Quebec. montreal canada animal abuse quebec legislationThat sucks. From the Montreal Gazette. MORE

The Obama-Biden ticket is the better choice on animal protection, and we urge all voters who care about the humane treatment of animals, no matter what their party affiliation, to vote for them. has been a solid supporter of animal protection at both the state and federal levels. Not a big surprise considering McCain's VP choice. MORE

The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages calls itself "an animal rights-protection-abolitionist organization," which I find interesting. Regardless, they are joining Friends of Animals and Hearts for Animals on Saturday December 5. The well being of the horses should be the ideal of every organization whose mandate is to put animal protection ideals first - especially when they ask for donations based on that mandate. MORE

The ALDF has released a report on how different states' animal protection laws stack up. Tags: animal law Among the best: California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon. And the worst: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, South Dakota, Wyoming You can check out the whole report on their web site. MORE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meredith Turner, Farm Sanctuary, 646-369-6212, mturner@farmsanctuary.org 2011 Walk for Farm Animals Aims to Raise $1 Million for Abused and Neglected Farm Animals Thousands of People in More Than 35 Cities Across North America to Gather for Family-Friendly Event That Promotes Compassion for ALL Animals WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. Farm Sanctuary’s shelters in New York and California provide lifelong care for nearly 1,000 rescued farm animals. MORE

Animal rights groups are seeking leave to appeal to the high court in their ongoing fight to have Lucy the elephant moved to a warm-weather U.S. In their Supreme Court application, the groups say private citizens have a right to seek legal remedies to ensure that governments enforce animal protection laws. Could be. Excerpted from CTV News. The Supreme Court of Canada could be getting involved in the battle over the fate of an ailing elephant in an Edmonton zoo. MORE

Department of Agriculture investigator determined the use of the bull hook “precipitated in the physical harm and ultimate death” of Benjamin, said Tracy Silverman, general counsel for the Animal Welfare Institute.The suit, also filed by The Fund for Animals, of Maryland; the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of Washington; The Animal Protection Institute of Sacramento; and Tom Rider, a former Ringling Bros. MORE

Keith, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, is extremely close to reaching our goal of collecting 10,000 signatures on our "Truth Behind Labels" petition to the USDA to tell them their "naturally raised" label is not natural. Here's some background: Most people believe that the "naturally raised" label implies animals have access to sunshine, fresh air, freedom of movement and the ability to perform natural behaviors. MORE

Portugal is NOT known for its kindness to animals so this is a significant development for a Portuguese city. This weekend Lagos Town Hall executives are expected to sign a landmark protocol drawn up in collaboration with animal protection association Cadela Carlota, in which it is decreed that the two organisations will endeavour to put a stop to the extermination of healthy unwanted and stray animals being held in the municipal kennel. MORE

A new survey is getting the attention of many within the global animal protection community. Covering both moral and strategic issues, the "Ethics and Animals" survey will provide a snapshot of our movement as of the present moment. Everyone is invited to participate and share their views on what's best for animals. The survey is at EthicsAndAnimals.questionpro.com , and its closing date has been extended to Monday, July 13, 2009. MORE

Dear Keith, I work with Wesleyan University Professor Scott Plous (founder of Social Psychology Network), and I'm writing to let you know of a new web site related to animal protection. The site uses a unique interactive technology to offer "human-like" interviews that probe the ethical dimensions of diet and lifestyle choices. This probing often leads people to examine their own practices and to better understand the choices made by others. MORE

Thanks to Farmed Animal Net for this information from August 8. In a unanimous decision, New Jersey’s Supreme Court rejected a broad challenge by animal protection advocates to the state’s rules on the care of farmed animals) but struck down regulations that regard husbandry practices as being “humane” merely because they are routine. Department of Agriculture (NJDA) was ordered to readdress a number of its mandated standards for farmed animal treatment. MORE

Sanctuary Tails – This is a blog written by some of the people who care for animals at Farm Sanctuary. They talk about animal cruelty issues, but also profile rescued animals – my favorite part. There are some very touching stories, and it’s so nice to read about animals being well cared for when it seems like all you ever hear are horror stories. MORE

The Humane Society gives President Obama a B- on animal protection. Not that great, but I no longer think of Obama as a progressive anyway. It's probably still better than w. MORE

The Indian government has decided to add bulls to the list of animals protected from entertainment uses. This prevents them from being exploited in Goa, an Indian state that had considered reviving the tradition. Goa was once part of the Portuguese empire which is where the bullfighting ridiculousness comes from.as a Portuguese-American, I can say that.) There are still illegal events though. India blood sport portugal bullfighting MORE

The Unalienable Rights of Chimps ,” by Adam Cohen (Editorial Observer, July 14): The Spanish Parliament’s decision to grant rights to apes is indeed groundbreaking, and will foster philosophical discussion about animal protection for some time. But Americans need not await the resolution of the academic debate, which is more about form than substance, before acting to protect animals. To the Editor: “ What’s Next in the Law? MORE

Brown, a case in which the meat industry is attempting to invalidate a California law designed to reduce animal suffering and protect public safety. At issue is Section 599f of the California Penal Code, which, among other things, prohibits slaughterhouses from purchasing, receiving, selling, dragging, or pushing non-ambulatory animals, also known as “downers,” and requires immediate euthanasia of such animals. Did anyone know this was going on? MORE

It's in response to the pathetic CITES conference which basically screwed marine animal protection. The Christian Science Monitor rightly points out that citizens and consumers need to get involved in endangered species protection, because at the CITES level, it's all about money and international politics. But jobs that depend on harvesting endangered species will quickly disappear if those species are not protected. "Earth Hour" was held yesterday. MORE

Thankfully, there are some organizations out there that make it their business to look after and care for our animal counterparts. Proving that society’s conscience hasn’t been completely compromised, these companies and their employees make it a point to put animals first. Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Formed in 2007, this organization seeks to promote the humane treatment of animals by promoting effective animal sanctuary management. MORE

Daniel Engber, senior editor at Slate , has posted the first of a five-part series about animals used for research. The story, rich in details about people who steal, scoop up and trade or sell animals, is disturbing on many levels, but a worthwhile read for its historic significance. Didn't she represent the dawn of a new age of profiting from the "production" and sale of animals? MORE

Keith, I am writing today to ask for your help in raising awareness about the 2011 Walk for Farm Animals, a series of fun, community-focused events taking place in more than 35 cities across North America this fall to promote kindness to animals and raise vital funds to support the lifesaving work of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. MORE

The animal protection group Seal Sitters says a necropsy showed that the sea lion had suffered a shark bite and had twisted intestines in addition to a bullet wound. KING says one of the Nisqually casualties was a Steller sea lion, protected under the Endangered Species Act. The one found in West Seattle was a California sea lion, protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. seattle State of Washington marine life marine animals sea lions puget sound MORE

We are excited to tell you about Animal Protective Association’s Harmony House for Cats new eco-friendly, net-zero cat shelter in Chicago! Animal Protective Association’s Harmony House for Cats is a registered 501c3 charitable organization. MORE

Sunstein is a Harvard law professor who has written about animal protection issues. He is the co-editor, for example, of Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions, which examines views both in favor and against animal law. The position he's going for doesn't even deal with animal issues, but, if true, their corporate opposition shows the fear and the long reach of these greedy monsters. MORE

Here at Farm Sanctuary, we live with turkeys, so we know they are interesting and intelligent and have complex emotional lives like dogs, cats and other animals. Farm Sanctuary’s shelters in New York and California provide lifelong care for nearly 1,000 rescued farm animals. MORE

Despite efforts by animal rights activists to stop this hunt, it is scheduled to continue. New Jersey’s first bear hunt in five years is just a week away and set to go on as planned despite a last-ditch effort by several animal rights organizations to have the hunt postponed. That really sucks. It's a cull to "control the population." From North Jersey.com. MORE

The three Chengdu Pambassadors will participate in the “Global Panda Conservation Tour” in 2013, where the Pambassadors will travel the globe visiting pandas in 11 countries and initiate local activities to raise awareness for endangered animal protection. MORE

Animal Welfare Groups Win Industry Backing for First-Ever Federal Regulation of Hen Welfare Groundswell of Public Support Results in Full Court Press for Nationwide Law Protecting Chickens to Replace State-by-State Initiatives WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. July 8, 2011 – In a groundbreaking move that should result in the greatest advancement for farmed animals in U.S. For too long, animals on factory farms have had no federal protection from even the most heinous abuse. MORE