Since 2013, almost 9 million animals have died in barn fires, most of whom were confined in overcrowded factory farms. Despite the number of lives under their care, farming operations generally are not required to take steps to prevent these tragedies. Learn more: awionline.org/content/barn...

Thanks to @duluthnewstribune.com for publishing this op-ed by AWI’s Allie Granger about the impacts of bird flu in Minnesota and beyond. The USDA must act to prevent the inhumane “depopulation” of millions of birds and put an end to this ongoing crisis. www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/colu...

For decades, Eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales were celebrated as a conservation success story. Today, however, these whales face increasing threats from climate change and a dwindling food supply in the Arctic.

TAKE ACTION: Using the link below, submit a public comment opposing federal oil and gas leasing in untouched areas off Alaska, California, and Florida’s Gulf Coast. Then, urge Congress to support legislation to protect our coasts from offshore drilling—forever. www.congressweb.com/AWI/517?fram...

Thanks, @kennytorrella.bsky.social and @vox.com, for this deep dive into the horrific potential of octopus farming—a pursuit that presents grave welfare concerns for these cognitively complex creatures: www.vox.com/future-perfe...

In 2025, we’ve celebrated significant animal protection achievements. Together with advocates like you, we’ve been able to make a difference for animals at the state, national, and international level—from mustangs to manta rays. awionline.org/press-releas... #2025Wrapped

In 2025, AWI helped ensure that several provisions benefiting animals were included in fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, which direct the federal government’s spending, including language to protect wild horses and animals on factory farms. Learn more: awionline.org/awi-quarterl... #2025Wrapped

In a win for animals worldwide, new protections were adopted for dozens of species, including the Chilean rose hair tarantula, Dorcas gazelle, and Ethiopian vipers, at #CITESCoP20. Trade in these species is now prohibited or regulated. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas... #2025Wrapped

This summer, the American Veterinary Medical Association revised its policy on housing mother pigs and – for the first time – signaled its support for a transition to group housing, which provides increased space and permits more natural and social behaviors— improving their welfare. #2025Wrapped

Another 2025 win came in September when, following advocacy from AWI and others, the National Institutes of Health announced that its grants can now support the rehoming and retirement of animals used in research—giving them a chance at a life beyond the laboratory. #2025Wrapped

In July, thanks to a major legal victory in the Tenth Circuit, wild horses in Wyoming were granted a reprieve from what likely would have been the largest roundup of these federally protected animals in US history. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas... #2025Wrapped

In June, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed S.B. 25-168 into law, making the state a leader in fighting wildlife trafficking and pushing to eliminate this unconscionable multibillion-dollar industry. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas... #2025Wrapped

With 2026 just days away, we’re highlighting several animal welfare wins of 2025! In March, we expanded our Safe Havens for Pets directory to include resources for pets of people facing homelessness—helping keep families together. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas... #2025Wrapped

Thank you to the 387,000+ people who submitted comments in opposition to a proposal from the Trump administration to make sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations. Read our statement in full: awionline.org/press-releas...

Just days after the first North Atlantic right whale calf of the 2025-26 calving season was spotted, another member of this critically endangered species—a juvenile named Division—was found so severely entangled in fishing gear that he is not expected to survive.

With the hubbub of the holidays upon us, taking the time to determine which food labels actually mean higher animal welfare can feel impossible. Save our food label guide now so you can make more compassionate choices this holiday season: awionline.org/sites/defaul...

As 2025 comes to a close, AWI wishes to thank you, our social media followers, for enhancing our efforts to help reduce animal suffering. Every like, reply, and repost helps spread awareness of important animal welfare issues in the United States and abroad.

This month, over 100 threatened species received new or increased protections from commercial trade at #CITESCoP20. AWI is excited by the conference outcomes, which indicate widespread support for science-based conservation & wildlife protection. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas...

URGENT: This week, the House of Representatives will be considering two bills that would weaken Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for wildlife. Please urge your representatives to vote NO on these harmful measures! ⬇️

Earlier this year, a @cbsnews.com and @insideedition.bsky.social investigation revealed a disturbing trend where baby spider monkeys are smuggled into the US to be sold as pets—after being taken from their mothers, who are shot and killed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F42...

Meet Elizabeth. Once a champion racehorse who won more than $53k, she was found last October nameless, neglected, and emaciated—but thanks to Homes for Horses Coalition member sanctuary This Old Horse, Elizabeth is safe and healthy today.

Don't forget! Public comments on the Trump administration's proposed revisions to Endangered Species Act regulations are due by December 22. Take action today: www.congressweb.com/AWI/539?fram...

Taiwan’s ban on captive wild animal performances is a welfare win, but what does it mean for cetaceans? Dr. Naomi Rose, AWI senior scientist in marine mammal biology, spoke with TaiwanPlus News about the change & what’s next for Taiwan’s captive dolphins: www.taiwanplus.com/news/taiwan-...

Imagine you are a week-old dairy calf, stuffed into an overcrowded trailer with little ventilation, unsure of your destination. Then you are trucked for more than 28 hours, with no breaks for food or water.

Good news: Clearwater Marine Aquarium researchers have spotted the first critically endangered North Atlantic right whale calf of the season! 🐋🎉 The calf was spotted last Friday with their mother, 17-year-old Champagne, off the coast of North Carolina.

Millions of animals are used in research each year. Historically, non-animal options haven’t been sophisticated enough to replace live subjects. However, new tech is bringing us closer to a more humane—and more scientifically relevant—future. Learn more: awionline.org/awi-quarterl...

TAKE ACTION: The federal government has proposed drastic revisions to Endangered Species Act regulations that would further jeopardize endangered and threatened species. Submit public comments opposing these changes by December 22! www.congressweb.com/AWI/539?fram...

Today, AWI recognized eight individuals, organizations, & agencies with the Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award during #CITESCoP20. The award honors those who have excelled in protecting species through wildlife law enforcement. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas...

The 2026 Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship is now open! 🎓 The scholarship is open to US-based high school seniors who plan to pursue a career helping animals. Recipients will receive a one-time award of $3,000. Learn more and apply: awionline.org/scholarship

Shopping for #Thanksgiving dinner? Deceptive food labels prey on our desire for better treatment of animals, but some labels are more meaningful than others. 🦃 Save our guide to common food labels for when you go shopping: awionline.org/sites/defaul...

The Trump administration is, once again, proposing sweeping changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that would leave threatened and endangered wildlife at a heightened risk of extinction. We fought these rules during the first term, and we’re ready to fight them again.

AWI hosted an exhibition booth at this year’s American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (#AALAS) National Meeting in Long Beach! Animal care techs, vets, lab managers, and more stopped by to pick up materials and learn more about improving welfare for animals in labs.

TAKE ACTION: Urge your US representative to oppose the SPEED Act, a bill that would disregard science and allow projects such as new power plants, oil and gas development, and logging to move forward without proper consideration of environmental impacts: www.congressweb.com/AWI/533?fram...

Bird flu is resurging on turkey farms, raising concerns about #Thanksgiving turkey prices. But the costs go beyond the supermarket, as millions of farmed animals are killed using a cruel method that induces heatstroke while producers are compensated for losses with taxpayer dollars.

Educators, visit our booth, #1308, at this week's Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas, in Dallas! We have free books, lesson plans, & more, all designed to help teachers incorporate more compassion in the classroom. #STATCAST25

TY, @thegazette.com, for publishing this op-ed by AWI’s Dr. Joanna Grossman. Congress must oppose the Save Our Bacon Act (H.R. 4673) and the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S. 1326) to protect animals—and states’ rights. www.thegazette.com/guest-column...

Meet Nancy Blaney. Your federal legislators probably have. Nancy, AWI Government Affairs Program Director, has spent decades fighting for protections for animals. Read her profile in the AWI Quarterly: awionline.org/awi-quarterl...

Last month, the Trump administration announced it had finalized plans to begin oil & gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Ironically, this announcement, which would impact 700+ species that call the refuge home, came just before #PolarBearWeek.

This week, AWI’s Humane Education team is returning to North Carolina for the North Carolina Science Teachers Association conference! Stop by booth 312 for free books, lesson plans, and more, all designed to help teachers incorporate more compassion in the classroom. #NCSTA

TY, Ava Kofman & @newyorker.com, for shedding light on allegedly neglectful and sometimes deadly conditions for primates at Alpha Genesis and for highlighting AWI’s report, “Trends in Animal Welfare Act Enforcement.” Read the piece here: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

A new study from Kansas State University researchers and AWI Companion Animal Program director Claire Coughlin offers new insight and adds to a growing body of evidence regarding the substantial overlap between child abuse and animal abuse. More here: authors.elsevier.com/c/1lyq4X18Yd....

What do penguins, seals and whales all have in common? 🐧🦭🐋 They depend on Antarctica’s krill, a shrimp-like crustacean that’s also a massive carbon sink. Right now, krill fishing is at record highs, threatening the entire ecosystem.

Earlier this month, AWI staff attorneys Adrienne Craig and Ashley Ridgway attended the 33rd Animal Law Conference (#ALC2025), organized by the @animallegaldefense.bsky.social and the Center for Animal Law Studies, in Chicago!

Big news for animals in Puerto Rico: The Federación Protectora de Animales signed an agreement with the PR Dept. of Education to provide humane education training for 8,000 educators so they can teach hundreds of thousands of students the importance of being kind to animals.

Today is #WorldKangarooDay, and we’re joining Kangaroos Alive to recognize these beloved Australian marsupials—and raise awareness of the danger they face from commercial hunting. Learn more at worldkangarooday.org 🦘

Good news for octopuses! Last week, Chile became the first country in Latin America to introduce legislation to ban octopus farming nationwide. AWI applauds this historic move toward the protection of octopuses. 🐙 Learn more about octopus farming: awionline.org/content/octo....

Earlier this month, AWI staff joined @wfa.org colleagues in NYC for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. As a WFA member organization, AWI believes in the importance of connecting animal welfare with the UN’s sustainable development goals. #UNGA80 #WFAatNGA

TAKE ACTION: Please contact your US representative and ask them to help improve conditions for livestock transported across the United States by cosponsoring the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act (H.R. 5286)! www.congressweb.com/AWI/536?fram...

Good news! Today, IUCN published its updated Red List of Threatened Species, reaffirming its “endangered” designation for long-tailed macaques, despite pressure from the biomedical research industry to downlist the species. Learn more: awionline.org/press-releas...

Going grocery shopping? Check out AWI’s updated guide to help you choose more compassionate dairy, egg, meat, and seafood products and debunk common (and confusing!) labels: awionline.org/sites/defaul...