The Earth is currently experiencing its sixth major extinction event. One million species globally are at risk of extinction in the next few decades, including 27 percent of the world’s mammals, 41 ...

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) allows for whaling on otherwise protected animals when it is conducted by certain indigenous people to satisfy subsistence needs. The rules for aboriginal ...

In 1951, Dr. Albert Schweitzer gave his permission to the Animal Welfare Institute to strike a medal in his honor to be presented for outstanding achievement in the advancement of animal welfare. In ...

On November 5, 2002, voters in Florida approved the first US law prohibiting the use of small “gestation crates” to house pregnant sows. Such crates are but one example of the extreme animal ...

Although more than 85 countries have banned or heavily restricted the use of steel-jaw leghold traps, the United States—one of the world’s largest fur producing and consuming nations—continues to ...

Every piece of legislation starts as an idea, and that idea can come from a legislator, a staff member, a professional lobbyist, or an “average citizen.” Legislation succeeds or fails depending on a ...

Since 2012, AWI and other groups have initiated four lawsuits to protect the red wolf (Canis rufus), the most endangered canid in the world, and one of the rarest mammals. Designated as an endangered ...

Hundreds of recognized organizations across the United States are opposed to the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, including racing and competition associations, breed registries, ...

Female Orcas can live up to 90 years in the wild. Of the wild-caught orcas who have died in captivity, half died after only 4 years. View this inforgraphic for more details.

Historically, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) inhabited most of the western contiguous United States, while black bears (Ursus americanus) were common in forested areas throughout the country.

Although wild birds in the US may be protected under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA), Endangered Species Act, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and ...

Since 2007, AWI has led efforts to compel restaurants in US states and territories to stop serving shark fin soup, dumplings, and other shark fin products. Although hundreds of restaurants still serve ...