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The Monarch Butterfly and the Importance of Protecting What Wildlife Needs to Thrive
The monarch butterfly’s remarkable migration depends on something surprisingly simple: milkweed. In a recent Animal Politics article, The Milkweed Principle, Ed Boks explores the relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed as a larger lesson for animal welfare and conservation. Monarchs rely on milkweed to reproduce and survive. When that essential habitat disappears, populations suffer.
Update: Loudonville Breeding Facility Faces Additional Charges, Including Sexual Conduct With an Animal
Daniel A. Miller, the Loudonville-area commercial dog breeder previously charged following the removal of 72 dogs and puppies from his property, now faces 10 additional charges, including a charge involving alleged sexual conduct with an animal.
Turning Rescue Experience Into Change: Meet OAA Board Member Niki Johnson
Ohio Animal Advocates is powered by people who care deeply about improving the lives of animals across Ohio. We sat down with OAA Board Member Niki Johnson, whose background in animal rescue gives her firsthand insight into both the emotional and operational sides of animal welfare. From transporting and fostering dogs to helping start RESCUEDohio, Niki has spent years seeing what it takes to help animals in need and why preventing that need in the first place is so important.
DeGraff Man Arrested on Animal Sexual Conduct Charge
Animal Charity of Ohio has suspended its humane investigations and animal intakes, citing financial and capacity challenges that organization leaders say have made it impossible to continue the services for now. The organization had already suspended animal control services in June, but continued conducting humane investigations and accepting animals from abuse and neglect cases.
Fellowship Program Helps Homeless Services Organizations Keep People and Pets Together
For people experiencing homelessness, entering a shelter or housing program can sometimes mean facing an impossible decision: accept services or stay with a beloved pet. A fellowship opportunity from My Dog Is My Home is helping organizations build a different model.
Ohio Ranks Among States With Most Reported Animal Abuse-Related Violence Cases
Ohio ranks among the states with the highest number of reported cases involving both animal cruelty and other forms of violence, according to a new analysis from the National Link Coalition. The August 2026 LINK-Letter from the National Link Coalition reviewed 1,066 U.S. news reports involving animal cruelty alongside crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse, homicide and other offenses.
From the Front Lines to Advocacy: Meet OAA Board Member Scott Mills
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.
Animal Charity of Ohio Suspends Humane Investigations and Intakes Amid Funding Crisis
Animal Charity of Ohio has suspended its humane investigations and animal intakes, citing financial and capacity challenges that organization leaders say have made it impossible to continue the services for now. The organization had already suspended animal control services in June, but continued conducting humane investigations and accepting animals from abuse and neglect cases.
Concerns Grow Over Conditions at Lake County Dog Shelter Following HVAC Outage
Concerns about conditions at the Lake County Dog Shelter are drawing increased attention after an HVAC failure during extreme summer heat forced officials to relocate most of the shelter’s dogs. During a July heat wave, temperatures inside the shelter reportedly reached 94.5 degrees.
Emotional Support Animals and Housing: What Ohio Renters Need to Know
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.
Meet Bo: Ohio Animal Foundation's 2026 Summer Pet Photo Contest Winner!
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.
Investigation Raises Concerns Over Fate of Federally Protected Wild Horses
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.
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— Nelson Mandela
