Animal Welfare

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Bill Lucia

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

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

  • By April Simpson, Stateline

Fur Clothing Bans Advance in More Cities and States

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

  • By Elaine S. Povich

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Why Eating Roadkill Makes Roads Safer for People and Animals

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

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

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Supreme Court Rejects Challenges Over State Farm Animal Laws

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

  • By Bill Lucia

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Fido Survived the Research Lab. Now What?

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

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Distracted Dogging: Legal in Most States, Controversial in All

Driving with an animal in your lap may be fun, but it’s extremely dangerous for the driver, passengers, other motorists and the pet, traffic safety experts say.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

‘Puppy Mills’ Targeted by One State, Activists Seek Others

States and cities move to ban retail sales of “puppy mill” dogs.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Wild Turkeys Drawn to Their Reflection Highlight an Unusual Human Policy Challenge

Building design can easily confuse avian creatures. Here are steps to keep birds of various feathers from flocking together where you don’t want them.

  • By Michael Grass

Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Natural Disasters Show Need for Pet-Friendly Shelters

"If we can remove the barrier of leaving a pet behind by creating more pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, more lives can be saved," according to the president and CEO of nonprofit group Red Rover.

  • By Arin Greenwood

Tightening the Leash on Fake Service Dogs

Can states stop people from trying to pass off their pets as service animals?

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts