Animal Welfare

Coyotes Are Here to Stay in Cities. Here’s How to Appreciate Them From a Distance

COMMENTARY | Though they can get a bad rap, coyotes often aren't as aggressive as many believe them to be. And in fact, they may bring some benefits to cities.

State Officials to Drone Operators: Please Stop Harassing the Animals

Wildlife officials in Colorado this week urged recreational drone pilots to avoid disrupting animals during flights, the latest example of a growing issue for state agencies.

Me-OW: One State’s Plan to Demand Justice for Run-Over Cats

A bill in New Hampshire would require residents who hit cats with their cars to report the collisions or face a $1,000 fine, similar to laws in other states.

Bestiality is Legal in Four States. Two Are Trying to Change That.

Lawmakers in Hawaii and Wyoming have proposed measures to formally outlaw sexual abuse of animals, a crime that animal rights advocates say is often hidden in plain sight.

In One Kentucky Community, Dogs Rule—Literally

Wilbur, a 6-month-old French bulldog, is the latest canine mayor of Rabbit Hash, an unincorporated community in Kentucky that's been led by dogs since the late 1990s.

For Decades, Denver Outlawed Pit Bulls. Voters Just Overturned the Ban.

The city passed a pit-bull ban in 1989 after multiple people reported being attacked by the breed, although research has shown that such policies have little effect on public safety.

Buddying Up For Quarantine: Animal Shelters Report Adoption Spikes Amid Pandemic Shutdowns

Requests to foster and adopt animals have skyrocketed across the country as Americans hunker down at home. But leaders at some animal shelters say they haven't seen the same boom, while all worry about future funding.

A City Moves to Ban Wild and Exotic Animals at House Parties

People are free to behave like party animals in Los Angeles, but legislation the City Council approved this week aims to prevent them from partying with animals.

Once One of America’s Favorite Pastimes, Greyhound Racing Eats Dust

Once legal in 19 states, greyhound racing happens only in six.

Fur Clothing Bans Advance in More Cities and States

While animal welfare activists say fur is cruel, U.S. sales have grown.

29 Dogs Died in a Kennel Fire. Legislators Hope to Prevent it From Happening Again.

Illinois became the first state in the country to mandate safety protections for dogs and cats in kennel facilities.

Making It Easier to Rescue Dogs Trapped in Hot Cars

Firefighters and paramedics can now legally break windows to rescue pets left in hot and cold cars under a new law in New York.

Cat Declawing Might Be Banned In This State

New York lawmakers passed what could be the first statewide prohibition on surgeries to remove cats' claws.

Abandoning a Dog During a Hurricane Would Become Illegal Under State Proposal

A Florida bill proposes possible jail time or fines for leaving a dog tethered outside in a storm.

Shelter Animals Become Official State Pets

To highlight the availability of adoptable animals at shelters, lawmakers in several states are giving them a special status.

Why Eating Roadkill Makes Roads Safer for People and Animals

States are legalizing roadkill salvaging to feed communities and track animal migration.

Supreme Court Rejects Challenges Over State Farm Animal Laws

California and Massachusetts standards for the confinement of livestock have drawn opposition from other states.

New Shelter for Domestic Violence Victims—and Their Pets

Brooklyn's newest domestic violence shelter allows abuse victims to move in with their pets, eliminating a key hurdle to seeking help.

Dogs Dining on Patios Are Illegal Interlopers No More

Some bar and restaurant owners see people with dogs as important customers on patios and other outside places. In nine states, that's now legal.

Fido Survived the Research Lab. Now What?

Maryland just became the seventh state to enact a “Beagle Freedom” law.