Progress is being made in Ohio towards addressing bestiality, a violent and exploitative form of animal abuse that often results in death. Ohio Senate Bill 393, introduced in the 136th General Assembly, strengthens penalties for sexually oriented offenses involving juveniles and animals. The bill aims to modernize state laws to match federal standards and address emerging digital crimes.

The ASPCA has announced that it will award up to $14 million in grants to support shelters and spay/neuter clinics serving vulnerable animals throughout the United States. The funding is intended to help organizations address some of the most pressing challenges facing animal welfare today, including shelter capacity needs and the ongoing shortage of accessible spay/neuter services.

A recent incident in Fukushima, Japan has captured international attention after a bear injured four people, evaded capture, and reportedly escaped from a factory by opening a locked window from the inside. Local officials described the animal as "extremely intelligent" after it was observed turning on a water faucet to drink and apparently manipulating a window latch to escape confinement.

Learn why foie gras production involves force-feeding ducks and geese, the animal welfare and public health concerns surrounding the practice, and how Ohio residents can support efforts to ban it.

For more than 40 years, Pam McKie worked in human services, helping vulnerable children, families, and communities access the support they needed to thrive. Today, she brings that same passion and expertise to animal welfare as Executive Director of Pets in Need of Cincinnati, a nonprofit veterinary clinic dedicated to serving low-income and vulnerable pet owners.

Ohio Animal Advocates is fortunate to have dedicated supporters who contribute not only their expertise, but also their time, passion, and generosity. One of those supporters is Deb Molinaro, OAA's Chief Financial Officer. Since joining the organization in early 2024, Deb has helped guide OAA's financial operations while also supporting the organization's mission through personal donations and volunteer service. We recently sat down with Deb to learn more about her missionary work in Peru, her commitment to animal advocacy, and the beloved dog who inspired her passion for helping animals.

For decades, animal advocates, social workers, law enforcement professionals, veterinarians, and domestic violence experts have recognized an important pattern: violence toward animals often does not occur in isolation.

Community cats are a part of many neighborhoods, and while some people enjoy seeing them stroll through the yard, others may be less enthusiastic. One of the most common complaints about free-roaming cats is their tendency to dig in gardens, lounge in flower beds, or use outdoor spaces as litter boxes.

Animal advocates across the United Kingdom are celebrating significant progress for greyhound welfare after lawmakers in both Wales and Scotland voted to ban greyhound racing. The decisions mark a major shift in how governments are evaluating the welfare impacts of animal-based entertainment and reflect growing concerns about the risks greyhounds face in the racing industry.

A recent policy shift from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created confusion and concern for many people who rely on emotional support animals (ESAs) as part of their disability accommodations.

While HUD has announced changes to how it handles certain ESA-related complaints under the federal Fair Housing Act, it is important to understand that state and local protections for people with disabilities and emotional support animals may still remain fully intact.

Vaccines have become one of the most emotionally charged public health conversations of the past decade. What was once primarily a debate surrounding human medicine has now spilled into the world of companion animals and according to recent research, the consequences could be devastating for both dogs and people.

In a recent article titled “Vaccine Hesitancy Now Affects Dogs, Putting Humans at Risk,” psychologist and canine researcher Stanley Coren explores the growing number of pet owners choosing not to vaccinate their dogs. The article cites studies showing that approximately 22 percent of dog owners in the United States are now considered vaccine hesitant.

In a significant victory for animal protection advocates, has announced it will ban the sale of animal fur products across its platform beginning August 11, 2026.

The updated policy prohibits the sale of products made from animals killed primarily for their pelts, including raw pelts, fur garments, and fur accessories made from animals such as mink, fox, and rabbit — regardless of whether the items are new or vintage.