
Happy National Dog Day!
It’s National Dog Day! Come Celebrate With Us The wait is over, friends: today is National Dog Day! And honestly? We think that’s more than
Raise awareness for the AWA
1/3/18 | Emily McDonald
The Animal Welfare Act is arguably one of the most important and largest animal protection laws in our country and it’s up to the Department of Agriculture to enforce it. Under the act, animal facilities from zoos to research laboratories, are inspected annually to make sure they are in compliance with minimum welfare standards. Unfortunately, facilities that are found to be in violation of those standards often receive no more than a slap on the wrist. Their operating licenses are often renewed by the USDA without requiring that violations be rectified. In February, without warning, the USDA removed pertinent animal welfare information from their website. This information included inspection reports and other details about the treatment of animals in labs, circuses, breeding facilities, and exhibitors, among others. This lack of transparency is troubling, at best. However, there is change on the horizon: In late 2017, the USDA announced that they are considering requiring that licensees show compliance before their license can be renewed and accepted comments and feedback from the public. While this requirement seems an obvious one, we are hopeful that the USDA will make this move in the right direction. We hope that by shedding light on the larger animal welfare picture outside of our own shelter, that we can do our part to help raise awareness and illicit change.
The Animal Welfare Act is arguably one of the most important and largest animal protection laws in our country and it’s up to the Department of Agriculture to enforce it. Under the act, animal facilities from zoos to research laboratories, are inspected annually to make sure they are in compliance with minimum welfare standards, Unfortunately, facilities that are found to be in violation of those standards often receive no more than a slap on the wrist. Their operating licenses are often renewed by the USDA without requiring that violations be rectified. In February, without warning, the USDA removed pertinent animal welfare information from their website. This information included inspection reports and other details about the treatment of animals in labs, circuses, breeding facilities, and exhibitors, among others. This lack of transparency is troubling, at best. However, there is change on the horizon: In late 2017, the USDA announced that they are considering requiring that licensees show compliance before their license can be renewed and accepted comments and feedback from the public. While this requirement seems an obvious one, we are hopeful that the USDA will make this move in the right direction. We hope that by shedding light on the larger animal welfare picture outside of our own shelter, that we can do our part to help raise awareness and illicit change.
It’s National Dog Day! Come Celebrate With Us The wait is over, friends: today is National Dog Day! And honestly? We think that’s more than
Your pet might not carry a wallet (it’s hard without pockets), but they can still carry ID. Microchipping is one of the simplest, most effective
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2025 Write Your Way Home: Win an $1.8 Million luxury property in Historic Downtown Fredericksburg by Writing an Essay. Fredericksburg,
Back to School Blues: Helping Your Pet Adjust It’s the end of August, and while parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief as backpacks
July brought the heat and the happily-ever-afters. We sent 63 cats and 24 dogs out the door and into new lives, complete with couches to
July 23 is National Mutt Day, and we’re here for it. It’s a perfect excuse to celebrate the wonderfully weird, wildly lovable world of mixed-breed
It’s National Dog Day! Come Celebrate With Us The wait is over, friends: today is National Dog Day! And honestly? We think that’s more than
Your pet might not carry a wallet (it’s hard without pockets), but they can still carry ID. Microchipping is one of the simplest, most effective
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2025 Write Your Way Home: Win an $1.8 Million luxury property in Historic Downtown Fredericksburg by Writing an Essay. Fredericksburg,
Back to School Blues: Helping Your Pet Adjust It’s the end of August, and while parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief as backpacks
July brought the heat and the happily-ever-afters. We sent 63 cats and 24 dogs out the door and into new lives, complete with couches to
July 23 is National Mutt Day, and we’re here for it. It’s a perfect excuse to celebrate the wonderfully weird, wildly lovable world of mixed-breed