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.

A recent investigation by The New York Times has raised concerns that some federally protected wild horses may be entering the slaughter pipeline after being sold by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Times, which investigated government records, livestock inspection records and individual horse sales to trace what happens to some mustangs after they leave federal custody.

A Loudonville commercial dog breeding operation with a history of animal welfare violations is under investigation after authorities removed 72 dogs and puppies from the property. The Humane Society of Ashland County assisted in removing approximately 50 adult dogs and 22 puppies from Happy Mountain K9 Facility on August 27.

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.

This month, Ohio Animal Advocates is highlighting a book that is perfect to acknowledge Wellness Month which is observed every August. Wellness is important for all creatures, and author Temple Grandin delves into this and more in Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals. This book is written for high school/college readers and older as it deals with more complex and potentially heavy topics.

Humans may not be the only primates drawn to caring for animals of another species. A new study highlighted by The New York Times examined 427 interactions across 88 primate species, finding behaviors that resemble some of the building blocks of human pet-keeping. Monkeys and apes were observed playing with, grooming, carrying, and even caring for animals of other species.

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.

Ohio’s dog-bite statute, R.C. 955.28(B), imposes strict liability on the “owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog” for any injury to a person or property caused by the dog. This means that owners, keepers, and harborers can be held responsible for injuries caused by a dog, regardless of whether they intended or could have foreseen the injury.

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.

A Columbus man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges involving dogfighting and methamphetamine distribution. Joel Brown admitted to keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. The investigation began in 2024 after a complaint to Columbus Humane prompted law enforcement to search a property where Brown was keeping dogs.

A longtime provider of affordable veterinary care in central Ohio has closed its doors. Shelter Outreach Services of Ohio (SOS Ohio), a nonprofit clinic serving rescue organizations and pet owners, announced its closure in late July. The organization cited a nationwide veterinarian shortage, rising operating costs, and increasing demand for affordable veterinary services as factors.