News
Stay informed on all things OAA, right here or in your inbox. Sign up for e-news to receive our resources, action alerts, events, and much more!
Sign up for e-news:
When Domestic Violence Turns Deadly and Why Protecting Pets Saves Lives
A devastating tragedy in Pennsylvania this September underscores a heartbreaking truth: domestic violence often endangers not only people but also the animals they love.
According to New York Times, five police officers were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call in York County. Three officersβSergeant Detective Cody Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Bakerβwere killed when the gunman, who had been stalking his ex-girlfriend, opened fire. Investigators later discovered that he had killed her dog before the shooting.
Nation Takes a Step Forward in Ending Animal Testing
After years of advocacy, the nation is making progress toward reducing and eventually replacing animal testing in research labs β and Ohio Animal Advocatesβ Executive Director, Vicki Deisner, was featured in a recent Spectrum News interview discussing this important federal development.
FDA Encourages Alternatives to Animal Testing in Sunscreen Research
Sunscreen is more than a summer essentialβitβs a vital tool for preventing skin cancer. Because so many people use sunscreen daily throughout their lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is committed to ensuring that these products are both safe and effective.
Tackle Pet Hunger 2025: Keeping Pets and People Together
Across central Ohio, many families are struggling to make ends meet. According to the United Way of Central Ohio, nearly 40% of Ohio households live below the ALICE threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)βmeaning theyβre working hard but still unable to cover basic needs like housing, childcare, and food.
NIH Faces Scrutiny for Funding New Dog Tests Despite Pledge to Reduce Animal Research
Earlier this year, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced an initiative to reduce animal testing and invest in βhuman-based technologiesβ such as organ-on-a-chip systems, AI tools, and clinical data modeling. The move was celebrated as a major step toward more humane, human-relevant science.
EHD Outbreak Impacts Thousands of Deer in Southeast Ohio
Ohio is facing its most severe outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) to date, with nearly 7,000 deer confirmed sick or dead across 22 counties, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Wyandot County Humane Society: A Legacy of Compassion
In Wyandot County, compassion has a home β and it started in a garage.
Founded in 1985 by Dave and Lynda Balz, the Wyandot County Humane Society (WCHS) began as a simple effort to help stray and unwanted animals find safety and care. Forty years later, that small act of service has evolved into a multi-faceted organization that includes the HOPE (Helping Our Pets Everywhere) Clinic and the Wyandot County Equine Rescue, all working together to save lives of every species imaginable.
Beaver Deceiver Saves Lives in Vermont
In Orange, Vermont, beavers have been given a chance to thrive thanks to an innovative flow device known as a βbeaver deceiver.β Installed by Beaver Deceivers LLC and funded primarily by In Defense of Animals (IDA), the device allows beavers to remain in their natural habitat while also preventing flooding that can damage roads and culverts.
Driving Change for Pets and People: A Conversation with Claire of AWI
Claire Coughlin, Director of the Companion Animal Program at the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), describes her position as her βunicorn jobβ, a perfect match of her passion and purpose. With a career spanning human services, support for abuse survivors, and animal welfare, Claire has long worked at the intersection of compassion for both people and pets. βA central part of my role is ensuring that policies and programs translate into real outcomes,β Claire shared. βThe work we do at AWI isnβt abstract; itβs about creating tools and resources that truly help people and animals in crisis.β
Ohio Attorney General Sues Former Service Dog Charity
On July 29, 2025, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a now-defunct nonprofit and its former executive director, alleging that more than $25,000 in charitable donations were misused for personal expenses.
The PUPP Act: Keeping Families and Pets Together
Hundreds of thousands of Americans experience homelessness every year. For many, their greatest source of comfort and unconditional love is their pet. Sadly, too many unhoused individuals face a heartbreaking choice: seek shelter and give up their beloved companionβor remain on the streets together.
βWe can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.β
β Nelson Mandela