Through all of the damage control and message-neutralizing I have to do due to PeTA campaigns or someone lumping me with PeTA--or the HSUS, for that matter--I always remember that the real enemy of my cause is someone who wants to convince the world that there is nothing wrong with using animals when we have no need to and who profits from the "production" and slaughter of sentient nonhumans. Of course, Lobo is missing the point entirely. MORE

Angus directed me to a story about the Calgary Stampede (rodeo) and the Calgary and Vancouver Humane Societies which had me asking: Whose side are they on? The Vancouver Humane Society wants to ban calf-roping. Not the rodeo. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ Virus Spreading Alarm and Deadly Pig Disease in China ” (Business Day, Aug. 16): Given our exportation of large-scale intensive confinement facilities, it is tragic, though not surprising, that disease is devastating the Chinese industry. With this industrialization often comes overcrowding, inadequate ventilation and related physiological stress—factors implicated as heightening the risk of disease outbreaks. MORE

I don't care if they're supposedly working for altruistic purposes (they're not, but that's another story), they are allowing animals to suffer through negligent care separate from the excruciating experiments they must still undergo. Media-Newswire.com) - The Humane Society of the United States has obtained government reports showing that the University of Minnesota has violated federal standards of care for animals in laboratories. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ A Case of Abuse, Heightened ,” by Joe Nocera (Talking Business column, March 8): Mr. Nocera tells us that most slaughterhouses don’t mistreat animals or funnel sick downer cows into the food chain. If Mr. Nocera actually had such clairvoyant powers over the meat-packing industry, why didn’t he put them to use last autumn and blow the whistle on the Westland/Hallmark slaughter plant? MORE

To me, it's another example of the Humane Society's growing savvy and clout in the US. From the Associated Press. Animal welfare groups led by the Humane Society of the United States have agreed to abandon a fall ballot issue against animal cruelty as part of a deal with state farm groups brokered by Gov. Tags: ohio humane society farm animal welfare MORE

From the campaign website : (Nov. 4, 2008) – Voters in California approved an historic ballot measure to halt the inhumane confinement of animals on factory farms by an overwhelming margin. As of 11 PM PST, Prop 2 was leading 62% to 38%. All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.” Proposition 2 ends the practice of confining certain animals raised for food in crates and cages so small the animals can barely move. MORE

Good news for wolves in the Great Lakes area. TRAVERSE CITY - State officials say they're not pleased with a federal court's ruling overturning the government's decision to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list for the Great Lakes region. The ruling today affects wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It's in response to a lawsuit filed by several environmental groups, including The Humane Society of the United States. 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

We recently got a review copy of a great new book called Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet , which is going to be available on March 9th. We really enjoyed the book a lot! It’s jam packed with simple ways to reduce your impact on the planet, while also making an impact on your wallet! And the tips aren’t hard things either, everything is simple to do. She presents the information in a great way. MORE

According to the RSPCA, in 2008 there was a 57% increase in the number of animals abandoned by their owners in the UK. A similar problem is also occurring in the United States, where the Humane society of the United states claims that up to 8 million animals enter animal shelters each year, showing that this is an international problem. The importance of pet insurance. MORE

They belong to the canine species Nyctereutes procyonoides. As reported in the AP story, two styles of Sean John jackets—one a hooded snorkel style, the other a classic version—were originally advertised as faux fur, but an investigation by the Humane Society of the United States [ HSUS ] found that the jackets were made from dog fur. Macy's is not alone in misrepresenting the materials used in making its coats. MORE

Benjamin, founder of American Dog Rescue , the little guy with a big heart! American Dog Rescue, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of “No Healthy Dog Without A Home”. More than $1 million was raised from the To The Rescue! MORE

From the Humane Society's press release. Further advancing its leadership in human-animal studies, Humane Society University, an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States, announced today that it has received a license as a higher education degree-granting institution by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission. Very cool! MORE

To the Editor: The euthanasia of more than 1,000 dogs and cats at the main animal shelter in Las Vegas is surely a major tragedy in the sheltering field (news article , Feb. 16), and the rapid spread of diseases at a facility packed with 1,800 animals required swift action to prevent even more suffering and loss of life. Shelters across the country are required to hold animals to let owners reclaim lost pets. MORE

Keith, Here is an online ethics and animals class I developed for the Humane Society of the United States. Perhaps its content would be useful for your readers. Thanks Nathan Nobis , Ph.D. MORE

To the Editor: It is disappointing that our government plans to keep approximately 550 chimpanzees in the laboratories where they reside, rather than provide them a sanctuary they deserve (“ After Hard Labor, a Soft Landing ,” special Giving section, Nov. Many chimpanzees in American labs are simply being warehoused—some for more than 50 years—wasting taxpayer money that could be spent better to help alleviate and cure human diseases. MORE

It's not perfect, but it's progress in one of the more animal welfare-challenged parts of the US. Mike Beebe has signed into law new animal-cruelty restrictions that make aggravated cruelty to cats, dogs and horses a felony on the first offense. Arkansas becomes the 46th state to make cruelty to animals a felony, according to the Humane Society of the United States. MORE

This is Sam, an American Pit Bull Terrier that was rescued from a life of dogfighting. He was rescued by the Humane Society of the United States, and has since earned the nickname “Bulletproof Sam”! MORE

The Humane Society is offering a 2500.00 reward for the poaching of a Grizzly in Idaho. The Humane Society of the United States and The HSUS Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal killing of a grizzly bear found dead in Ashton Reservoir near Ashton, Idaho MORE

Ugh, this is barbaric and right out of the dark ages. From the AP. A declawed, defanged bear is chained to a stake as hunting dogs bark and snap, trying to force the bear to stand on its hind legs. The training exercise called bear baying is intended to make the bears easier to shoot in the wild and it's only allowed in South Carolina. Animal rights advocates say it's cruel to the nearly defenseless bears and harms them psychologically. MORE

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. The Argument from Glass-Walled Slaughter Houses Mel Morse, former president of the Humane Society of the United States, once remarked: “If every one of our slaughter houses were constructed of glass this would be a nation of vegetarians.” But the argument so construed is weak. MORE

Dogs were seized at a Kennewick puppy mill with the help of the HSUS. From the HSUS press release: KENNEWICK, Wash. - The Humane Society of the United States assisted the Benton County Sheriff's Office today with the seizure of hundreds of dogs from a puppy mill here. Some of the dogs suffered from malnutrition, urine burns and overgrown nails. MORE

A judge has found five animal-rights activists not guilty of getting too close to seal hunters during the 2006 hunt off Canada's east coast. The five were charged with coming within 10 metres of seal hunters on March 26, 2006 while filming the annual slaughter in the Gulf of St. They are representatives of Humane Society International and Humane Society of the United States. MORE

Thanks, once again, to James LaVeck and Jenny Stein of Tribe of Heart for kindly and carefully bringing attention to what should be a stunningly-obvious moment of hypocrisy by groups that exist to advocate for and save animals. I understand how someone who supports the Humane Society of the United States might think an event celebrating "humane" farms would be a good id, as HSUS isn't an animal rights organization. MORE

Did you know that every year, of the 8 million dogs and cats that enter animal shelters, 3 million of these healthy and treatable pets are euthanized? Luckily, The Shelter Pet Project hopes to change this! The campaign has one unified goal, to increase pet adoption. MORE

To the Editor: In his past comments about protecting animals and nature, Pope Benedict XVI is building upon the Roman Catholic Church’s tradition of promoting faithful stewardship of all creatures (“ A Cat Lover in the Vatican Strikes a Chord With Cat Lovers Around the World ,” news article, April 20). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic catechism affirm that compassion for animals is a matter of human dignity. MORE

To the Editor: “ What’s Next in the Law? 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. MORE

For the full story, go here to KLTV.com. The Humane Society of the United States, SPCA of East Texas and Humane Society of North Texas worked with the Smith County District Attorney's Office to rescue 50 horses from a Lindale property. The District Attorney's office served a seizure warrant to the owner of the horses Tuesday, opening the door for the rescue team to begin removal on Wednesday. MORE

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently heard arguments in National Meat Association v. Brown, a case in which the meat industry is attempting to invalidate a California law designed to reduce animal suffering and protect public safety. The industry sued California, arguing that Section 599f is preempted by the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Did anyone know this was going on? MORE

To the Editor: Re “ A Free Speech Battle Arises From Videos of Fighting Dogs ” (front page, Sept. 19): The Supreme Court should reinstate a crucial 1999 federal law banning the commercial sale of videos depicting animal cruelty. In the 10 years that the law has been in place, it has been used only to stop people from selling videos of dogs tearing one another apart in organized dogfighting, the underlying crime now treated as a felony offense in every state. MORE

She is a US Senator from our home state of Washington. My husband worked for her years and years ago, when she was just a State representative. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) received the Humane Society’s Legislative Leader award for her leadership in protecting animals. The Society also noted Cantwell’s work on climate change. Tags: State of Washington legislation humane society congress us MORE

The full story is below and it comes from kcra.com. Outcry is growing against one of California’s top wildlife officials after a photo of him holding a dead mountain lion surfaced online last week. Dan Richards, president of the California Fish and Game Commission, is shown in the photo, holding a mountain lion he reportedly hunted and killed in Idaho, according to Western Outdoor Press, which published the photo. What was this idiot thinking? MORE

In the fast-paced world of today, it seems people are always on the go. Between running errands, working late and worrying about the bottom-line, it’s no wonder our four-legged and winged friends so often go overlooked and neglected. 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. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ Snake Owners See Furry Bias in Invasive Species Proposal ” (news article, Jan. 9): The Fish and Wildlife Service is right to propose a ban on the sale of nine large constricting snakes for the pet trade. In addition to the effects of these invasive species on ecosystems, there are also compelling humane and public safety arguments for restricting trade. The trade is dangerous for people, but also for the snakes. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ The Protein Pyramid ” (editorial, Nov. 10): Thank you for pointing out the unsustainability of the so-called protein pyramid. But there is a net loss in all meat production, not just of farmed fish or feeding fish to land animals being raised for food. Feeding grain to chickens, pigs and cows is even more inefficient, with 70 percent of grain grown in the United States going to animals raised for food. MORE

Now, I know it doesn't solve everything, but it's another chink in the armor. I worry it won't pass the DC district court for some wacky reason. I don't like to celebrate until I'm sure of something. From the LA Times. Animal research facilities will be required to disclosee more information online about their experiments under a court settlement signed Wednesday by the Humane Society of the United States and the Agriculture Department. MORE

To the Editor: Re “ Dog Eat Your Taxes? ” (Op-Ed, July 9): It may be amusing for Ray D. Madoff to criticize Leona Helmsley’s charitable giving by saying her fortune “is going to the dogs,” but those of us who give to the Humane Society of the United States and other animal-rescue organizations feel otherwise. This may seem one of the “whims of the wealthy” to Mr. Madoff, but it’s not to pet owners. MORE

To the Editor: While businesses that rent dogs may be well intentioned, they’re unlikely to benefit the overall welfare of pets, and may actually do harm to the individual dogs they “rent” (“ For a Temporary Best-Friend Fix, Rent a Dog (Kibble Included) for a Day ,” news article, March 30). Michael Markarian Washington, March 31, 2008 The writer is the executive vice president of the Humane Society of the United States MORE

The video footage shows monkeys biting themselves and slamming against the bars of small cages. Other scenes show a newborn chimpanzee being taken from its mother and an adult screaming as a lab worker aims a tranquilizer gun before the animal falls sedated from a shelf to the floor. It is the nation’s largest primate research lab that studies chimpanzees. Here is a link to the Humane Society. Actually, it's more then allegations. MORE

For those who can't handle the visuals, now it's available as an audio book. Earthlings is a feature-length documentary about how dependent human beings are on animals, primarily in five key areas: pets, food, clothing, entertainment and science. Earthlings is considered one of the most persuasive documentaries ever made for its frank, straightforward presentation of the day-to-day practices in some of the largest industries in the world. MORE

The major threats to salmon are the 4 'H's: habitat, hatcheries, hydro(power) and harvest. All driven by humans. But we can't get rid of humans, of course, and we need to punish someone who can't fight back. Let's pick the sea lions! Portland judge said Wednesday the Northwest states can kill hungry sea lions on the Columbia River. The animals eat salmon as the fish try to pass Bonneville Dam each spring. The U.S. MORE