Animal Welfare - ForceChange

Urge Maryland to Overturn Discriminatory Pit Bull Ruling

Maryland has recently ruled that pit bulls are ‘inherently dangerous.’ This ruling will have far-reaching effects on pit bulls and their owners, leading to widespread abandonment and euthanasia of the breed. Urge the Governor of Maryland to overturn this discriminatory ruling today.

Protect Livestock from Extreme Confinement in Rhode Island

There is a bill being presented to the Rhode Island State Senate which will ban the use of extreme confinement practices for veal calves and breeding pigs. Many farms raising these animals use crates that are designed to keep them from moving. Urge Rhode Island to join the eight other states that have already banned this cruel practice.

Stop Needlessly Testing Tobacco Products On Animals

Tobacco companies cruelly test their products on animals by forcing them to smoke mass amounts of cigarettes through masks and tubes, only to kill these animals and use their damaged organs for research purposes. Tell the FDA that this research is inhumane and unnecessary, and animals should not have to pay for tobacco companies looking to deny smoking’s well-established link to cancer.

Stop Horrific Abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses

A new undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States revealed that workers at a nationally known Tennessee Walking horse training barn used caustic chemicals on horses’ front legs to produce an artificial high-stepping gait that wins competitions. This cruel practice, known as soring, is illegal but common in the Tennesse Walking horse industry. Congress must strengthen horse protection policies in order to stop this horrific practice.

Killing of Sacred White Buffalo Should be a Federal Crime

Lightning Medicine Cloud, a rare white buffalo and a creature of enormous spiritual significance to many Native Americans, was found killed and skinned on a ranch in Texas recently. Ranch owner Arby Little Soldier believes that the animal’s death should be prosecuted as a hate crime and many of his supporters agree. Join them in asking Attorney General Eric Holder to provide a comprehensive investigation and harsh punishment for the death of this beautiful animal.

Tell UVA to Stop Outdated Trainings that use Cats as Test Subjects

The University of Virginia Medical School continues to use live cats as test subjects for students learning intubation procedures. Other major medical universities have replaced animal test subjects for human simulators, which provide more effective learning without causing injury or harm. Urge UVA to recognize that their training program is currently inappropriate, outdated and inhumane and take the necessary steps to update their training methods.

Military Working Dogs Deserve Recognition for their Service

Military working dogs play a critical role in the military, yet the Pentagon classifies them as mere ‘equipment.’ Two bills recently introduced in Congress would reclassify these dogs as ‘canine members of the Armed Forces,’ as well as provide support for them after their service. Urge Congress to pass this legislation to support these heroic animals.

Stop the Sale of Retired Greyhounds to Research Labs

Racing greyhounds are starved and consistently mistreated. When these dogs retire, the majority do not find homes; instead they are killed, or worse, sold to research labs. We must pass a national law to prevent these sales, and protect these helpless animals from further suffering.

Commend Alaska for Resisting Aerial Wolf Killing Plan

After scientists and environmental advocates argued against controversial plans to control wolf predators in the Kenai Peninsula through aerial gunning, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) declared its intention to table the proposal in order to collect important baseline data. Applaud the ADF&G for listening to science and encourage the department to take the time to make a well-informed management decision that will ensure long-term ecological harmony.

Impose Animal Welfare Regulations on Online Pet Stores

Under current federal regulations, pet stores are required to obtain puppies from licensed breeders that meet basic care requirements–but a legislative loophole exempts online animal retailers from the same regulations, allowing thousands of puppies to suffer in mills. Ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to save these animals by holding remote stores to the same standards as traditional stores.

Support Harsher Penalties for Drug Violations in the Horse Racing Industry

Lax regulations in the horse racing industry have fostered a culture where the majority of top trainers have multiple drug violations, and horses are breaking down at alarming rates. Racing commissions across the country must increase enforcement of medication regulations in the horse racing industry, and enact harsher penalties and deterrents.

Hold Wyoming Premium Farms Employees Accountable For Abusing and Neglecting Pigs

In a horrifying video from the Humane Society, piglets were grabbed and thrown in the air and sows were punched, kicked and beaten. Many of the animals were also left to suffer with gaping holes in their flesh. Tell Wyoming Premium Farms Manager Doug DeRouchey that a full and thorough investigation into these horrific cases of abuse must be conducted and the offenders must be held accountable.

Save Cats and Dogs in South Korea from Brutal Deaths

Each year in South Korea, two million animals suffer gruesome deaths in the illicit cat and dog meat trade industry. Despite the fact that only a small minority of South Koreans consumes cat and dog meat, the industry thrives because of the perpetuation of myths and government indifference. South Korean officials must work to enforce animal protection laws in order to save innocent cats and dogs from horrific deaths.

Dolphins at Swiss Marine Park Died As a Result of Drugs

The untimely deaths of two dolphins at a Switzerland marine park has been attributed to the ingesting of an opiate found commonly at raves that has heroin-like qualities. The marine park and its management must take responsibility and be held accountable for these gruesome dolphin deaths.

Make Temporary Animal Tattoos Illegal

A new trend of ‘creative grooming’ for pets, which involves airbrushing on temporary tattoos, is growing in popularity. The paint is nontoxic, but the process can cause pets stress and allergic reactions can occur. Please, ask President Obama to make this disturbing and abusive trend illegal.

End The Killing of Elephants In Zimbabwe

Two elephants were shot and killed by Zimbabwe wildlife authorities after elephants trampled a man resulting in his death. Loss of habitat due to human development causes the elephants to roam into villages looking for food. Government authorities must enforce protection of elephant populations and manage them without corruption to end their needless slaughter.

Stamp Out Illegal Pigeon Racing

Racing pigeons for gambling purposes may be illegal, but thousands of birds are still subjected to grueling interstate races every year. Most birds don’t survive the races they’re forced to complete and many are killed by their racers simply for not flying fast enough. Put an end to pigeon racing by urging the Attorney General to investigate this unethical and unlawful industry.

Saving the Planet’s Most Unique Bird: The Kakapo Parrot

With only 124 individuals left in the world, the kakapo parrot is quickly on its way to join other animals that have become extinct. With the right amount of education and conservation, however, this kakapo parrot may be able to fight its way back from the brink of extinction.

Don’t Let California Chefs Overturn Ban on Cruel Force-Feeding of Ducks in California

California Legislature allowed a generous seven-and-a-half year phase-in period for a ban on the production and sale of foie gras, which ends July 1st. Now some chefs are trying desperately to overturn this ban before it goes into effect. Protect helpless ducks and geese from being force-fed through tubes—urge California Legislature to reject any attempts to overturn the ban on the production and sale of foie gras.

Tell U.S. Military to Stop Mutilating Animals for Medical Training Purposes

A recent undercover investigation revealed a dark secret about the U.S. military: egregious animal abuse runs rampant in medical training exercises. Video shows goats moaning in pain while being stabbed and having their legs cut off with garden shears. Demand that the military adopt humane and more effective training methods.

Stop the use of Chimpanzees as Laboratory Animals

A new bill would eventually eliminate chimpanzees as laboratory animals. Not only would this proposal end animal abuses, but it also makes sense economically. Speak up and show your support for the thousands of chimpanzees who are imprisoned for medical research across the United States.

Ban Hound Hunting in California

Hounding is an inhumane hunting practice that endangers both stressed, overworked hunting dogs and the terrified prey they’re forced to chase. It’s already illegal to hunt mountain lions with hounds in California–and a new bill would outlaw hounding bears and bobcats, too. Voice your support for a hounding ban in California today.

Save Lucy the Elephant

Lucy is an elephant living in isolation at the Edmonton Valley Zoo in Alberta, Canada. Due to the often frigid weather, she is forced to spend the majority of her time in a small barn. And the time she does spend outside is in her tiny, half acre enclosure. Lucy’s health is deteriorating as a result. We must urge city officials to pass legislature moving her somewhere warmer and with other elephants. Lucy’s life depends on it.

End Gas Chamber Euthanasia for Animals in Michigan

Four counties in Michigan still use a gas chamber to euthanize homeless animals. A proposed law seeks to outlaw this cruel and painful method of euthanasia. Ask Michigan Governor Snyder to support this legislation and ensure that homeless animals can no longer be killed in a gas chamber.

Stop Loews Hotels From Cat Trapping

Three Loews Hotels in Orlando have begun trapping feral cats, leaving them in the hot weather for days without food or water. Tell Loews Hotels CEO Jonathan Tisch that this kind of inhumane treatment is unacceptable. The feral cats in Orlando deserve the same treatment that the hotels offer their customers’ pets.

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