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:

Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

Shelley Lieberman: Turning Compassion into Action for Animals and People

Shelley Lieberman has built a life around a simple but powerful idea: when you care deeply about something, that’s where your work should begin. That mindset has guided her journey as a passionate advocate for both animals and the people who love them. As a longtime board member of Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA), Shelley has helped lead efforts that connect the dots between animal welfare, domestic violence, and homelessness.

Read More
Animal Allies, Housing Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Allies, Housing Ohio Animal Advocates

“My Dog is My Home”: Keeping Families Together Through Housing Insecurity

In a powerful episode of The Animal Welfare Junction podcast, host Dr. Michelle Gonzalez takes listeners inside the 10th Anniversary celebration of My Dog is My Home and Found House Interfaith Housing Network—two organizations leading the way in supporting people experiencing homelessness with their beloved pets.

Read More
Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

Tell Governor Dewine to Hold ODA Accountable for Abuse of Dogs in Ohio's Puppy Mills

OAA strives to make Ohio a place where all animals are protected from cruelty, abuse, and neglect. Currently, thousands of innocent puppies and breeding dogs are vulnerable to the inhumanities of puppy mills, and we need your help to change this.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has continuously failed to control the abusive puppy mill industry in Ohio and to hold the abusers accountable. Breeders disregard the health of their dogs to keep costs low and maximize their profits. According to Humane World research, most puppies sold in pet stores and through online retailers are born in puppy mills.

Read More
Domestic Violence, Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Domestic Violence, Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

Survivors Deserve Stability: Protecting the Ohio Housing Trust Fund

In April 2025, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) launched its inaugural Survivor Voices Council, a transformative initiative supported by a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF). This funding underscores the critical role OHTF plays in supporting life-saving programs for Ohioans facing domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Read More
Species Spotlight Ohio Animal Advocates Species Spotlight Ohio Animal Advocates

Ohio Species Spotlight: Sandhill Crane

The Sandhill Crane is a striking, tall bird standing 3 to 4 feet high with a wingspan of up to 6.5 feet. It’s recognized by its long legs, long neck, grayish-brown feathers, and distinctive red crown on its head. These cranes are known for their trumpeting calls that echo across wetlands and open fields, especially when traveling in large migratory flocks.

Read More
Domestic Violence, Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Domestic Violence, Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

Support the Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act

At Ohio Animal Advocates, we believe that protecting animals and protecting children go hand in hand. That’s why we are urging support for H.R. 712 – the Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act—a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve how we track and respond to child abuse cases by including animal abuse as a critical data point.

Read More
Animal Welfare, Housing Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare, Housing Ohio Animal Advocates

Don’t Bust the Trust: Call Now to Save the Ohio Housing Trust Fund

The clock is ticking—and Ohio families, pets, and communities are depending on us to act.

Right now, Ohio Senate leaders are making critical decisions about what to include in the state budget. One dangerous amendment added by the House to HB 96, the biennial state budget bill, would gut the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF)—a vital source of state funding for affordable housing, emergency home repair, and homelessness prevention across all 88 counties.

Read More
Animal Allies Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Allies Ohio Animal Advocates

Ohio Supreme Court Affirms Cruelty Protections for All Cats and Dogs

In a landmark decision, the Ohio Supreme Court has clarified that all cats and dogs—whether they live indoors, outdoors, are owned, stray, or community animals—are protected under Ohio’s felony cruelty laws.

The case arose after a man was convicted of felony animal cruelty against a cat. His defense argued that because the animal was not “kept” by a person, it did not qualify for protection under the law. The Court rejected that argument—setting a powerful precedent for animal protection across Ohio.

Read More
Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

From Captivity to Compassion: A New Future for Primates in Ohio

What happens to primates after their lives in research labs, roadside zoos, or private homes come to an end? For many, the future is uncertain. But in Perry County, Ohio, a new future is being built — one that promises safety, healing, and a second chance.

Tessa Wilde founded For the Love of Primates in 2019 with a bold and compassionate mission: to create and support a sanctuary for primates retired from research, used in the entertainment industry, or previously kept as “pets.” The organization is grounded in the belief that, after spending their lives in human environments, these animals deserve a future filled with peace, safety, and compassionate care.

Read More

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”

— Nelson Mandela