Animal lovers across Ohio have a chance to show off their favorite pets while supporting programs that help animals throughout the state. Ohio Animal Foundation has launched its 2026 Celebrating Life with Animals Photo Contest annual fundraiser that combines adorable pet photos with meaningful support for animal welfare initiatives. The contest is open now, with voting through July 31, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has released updated dietary guidance encouraging Americans to eat more plant-based foods and reduce their reliance on animal products as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The new scientific statement, 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, highlights growing evidence that diets rich in plant-based foods can significantly improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

When a beloved animal becomes sick or injured, most people expect veterinary decisions to be guided by medical expertise, compassion, and the best interests of the patient. But what happens when financial investors increasingly shape the veterinary industry? That is the central question explored in Pets for Profit: An Insider's Account of How Private Equity Ruined Veterinary Care