We’re excited to share a major update in the world of humane education: the RedRover Readers On-Demand Online Course — previously $35 — is now completely FREE for everyone.

This self-paced, online workshop is designed to help educators, advocates, and caregivers foster empathy, compassion, and social-emotional learning in children through meaningful, animal-themed stories and discussion.

We’re excited to introduce Laura J. Martin, Esq., a new member of the Ohio Animal Advocates Board. With a background in animal law, advocacy, and lifelong experience working with animals, Martin brings a thoughtful, systems-focused perspective to OAA’s mission. In this Q&A, she shares what drew her to the board, the issues she’s most passionate about, and her hopes for the future of animal protection in Ohio.

New Hampshire has taken an important step toward stronger wildlife protection and accountability.

Governor Kelly Ayotte recently signed House Bill 655 into law, increasing penalties for hunting and fishing violations across the state. The legislation reflects a growing recognition that wildlife laws are only meaningful when they are enforceable—and that repeat violations require serious consequences.

Project Coyote recently welcomed Ann Piquette as their new Development Operations Coordinator, and her story is a powerful reminder of why empathy remains at the heart of effective animal advocacy.

Long before Ann stepped into professional advocacy work, compassion shaped the way she understood the world. She grew up in a home where animals in need were never turned away. Injured strays, neglected pets, and displaced wildlife all found care—not because her family had formal training, but because responding to suffering felt nonnegotiable. Dogs and cats often became permanent family members, while wild animals were stabilized and returned to their natural environments, sometimes with support from wildlife rehabilitation professionals.

Ohio Animal Advocates values your voice. Your feedback helps us strengthen our advocacy, improve transparency, and better serve animals across Ohio. We’ve launched our 2025 Constituent Feedback Survey to learn what’s working, what can improve, and which animal protection issues matter most to you.

Brigitte Bardot made one of the most consequential exits in modern celebrity history. At the height of her fame, she walked away from the spotlight entirely—not to reinvent herself, but to devote her life to animals.

The animal welfare community lost a true pioneer with the passing of Dr. W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M., who died peacefully on September 23, 2025, at the age of 87. A veterinarian, teacher, innovator, and tireless advocate, Dr. Mackie’s work transformed the way spay/neuter services are delivered—and in doing so, saved the lives of countless animals.

When four new portraits were unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, they honored individuals whose work reshaped American history and culture. Among them was Temple Grandin—a woman whose influence spans animal welfare, science, and how society understands autism.

For more than 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been one of our nation’s most powerful and effective environmental laws. It was created with a clear purpose: to protect wildlife on the brink of extinction — and it has succeeded, saving or helping recover 99% of species listed under the Act.

The Ohio Pet Fund provided Rascal Charities with an educational grant to offer teaching opportunities to veterinary students to improve their skills, confidence and experience while helping the community and animals. We are mentoring the veterinarians of tomorrow while helping the animals of today.

This year, OAA has increased our training efforts – from workshops on the link between animal and human violence, to community cat summits, and the Cleveland State University Animal Law Conference. Thanks to the support of the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust, the Joanie Bernard Foundation, and United Spay Alliance, OAA, in partnership with Together Initiative for Ohio's Community Cats and Give Them Ten, was able to continue our annual in-person community cat summits in Cincinnati and Cleveland and expand our reach into communities in need.

Ohio’s waterways just welcomed back some very unusual—and very important—residents. This summer, scientists and conservation partners released 116 juvenile eastern hellbenders into protected streams in eastern Ohio, marking another exciting step forward in the fight to save this threatened species.