Ohio Animal Advocates is excited to introduce Scott Mills, Chief Dog Warden and Humane Agent for Marion County in Ohio and a member of the OAA Board of Directors. Scott has spent more than a decade working directly in animal welfare and brings firsthand experience in humane enforcement, animal cruelty investigations, community resources and legislation to OAA.

Earlier this month, Ohio Animal Advocates reported on changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) affecting how the agency handles housing complaints involving emotional support animals (ESAs). While federal enforcement priorities have changed, the Fair Housing Act has not, and Ohio renters also have state-level protections.

The votes are in, and we have a winner! Bo, beloved companion of Ohio Animal Advocates’ Executive Director, Vicki Deisner, took the top spot in Ohio Animal Foundation’s 2026 Summer Pet Photo Contest. Ohio Animal Foundation is a partner organization of Ohio Animal Advocates.

As animal shelters face capacity challenges, rising intake, and preventing unplanned litters is an important part of reducing pressure on shelters and keeping pets with their families. In this webinar from United Spay Alliance and Community Cats Central, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana shared lessons from 50 years of experience building and managing a statewide spay/neuter assistance program.

Ohio Animal Advocates recently submitted a letter of support for our partner, YWCA of Northwest Ohio, and its application for FY2026 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding. The YWCA of Northwest Ohio provides critical services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including outreach, safety support, emergency shelter, and assistance for survivors with pets.

A federal judge has blocked another attempt by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to dramatically change how billions of dollars in federal homelessness funding are distributed.

Earlier this year, Ohio Animal Advocates reported on changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) affecting how the agency handles housing complaints involving emotional support animals (ESAs). As advocates continue to examine the policy, one distinction is especially important: the Fair Housing Act has not changed.

Rabies is one of the oldest and deadliest diseases known to humanity. It is also one of the most preventable. In the US today, fewer than 10 human deaths occur each year from rabies. That progress did not happen by accident. It happened because of vaccination of pets, strong animal control programs, and public health tracking. And at the foundation is spay/neuter.

The Dog Days of Summer are the hottest of the year, and a time when it’s especially important to keep your dogs and other animals cool. As Ohio, and the United States, experience all-time high temperatures and extreme heat advisories, pet owners may struggle to ensure that their animals stay healthy and happy amidst the hot weather. 

A veterinary emergency can happen when you least expect it, and the cost of care can quickly become overwhelming. If you're struggling to afford emergency treatment for your pet, financial assistance may be available. Ohio Animal Advocates has compiled a list of nonprofit organizations that offer emergency veterinary expense grants.

Apply for funding through the Community Cats Grants program, brought to you by our partners at United Spay Alliance. The Fall/Winter application deadline is August 31st. These matching grants are designed to help grassroots trap-neuter-return (TNR) organizations, rescue groups, and low-cost spay/neuter providers strengthen their fundraising efforts.

Veterinary care has become significantly more expensive over the past decade, with costs rising much faster than overall inflation. While advances in veterinary medicine, staffing shortages, and higher operating costs all play a role, another factor is receiving increased attention: the growing number of veterinary practices owned by private equity firms and large corporations.