US Cracks Down on Animal Cruelty with Historic New Laws
The US has just scored a major win for animal welfare! Several landmark laws were passed, including the FDA Modernisation Act 2.0, the Reducing Animal Testing Act, and crucial fixes to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020. Plus, record-breaking funding was secured to enforce the Horse Protection Act of 1970.
Top Animal Champions Praise New Legislation
“Reducing animal testing, shutting down commercial cub-petting, banning performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing, and fighting shark finning are all huge steps forward,” said Wayne Pacelle, president at the Center for a Humane Economy. “These laws make America far more humane toward animals.”
“We applaud President Biden, the White House, and Congress for the biggest animal welfare victories in history,” added Marty Irby, eight-time world equestrian champion and executive director of Animal Wellness Action. “These new policies will revolutionise pharmaceuticals, end cub-petting and shark finning, and finally protect American horses from doping and abuse.”
Game-Changing Laws in Detail
- FDA Modernisation Act 2.0 & Reducing Animal Testing Act: Passed in December 2022, these eliminate federal mandates forcing animal testing for new drugs – a huge win given that 75% of animals in testing are used in drug development. Animal Wellness Action also secured $12.5 million to fund new alternatives to animal testing.
- Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Fix: The law cracked down on race-day doping of thoroughbreds, a practice that risks horses’ lives and smears the sport. Animal Wellness Action teamed up with The Jockey Club and lawmakers to patch a legal snag putting the ban in jeopardy. They also launched HISAWatchdog.org to monitor enforcement.
- Big Cat Public Safety Act: Signed by President Biden on December 22, this law bans cub-petting – where tiger and lion cubs are bred just for tourists to handle. The act shuts down the exploitative industry that once had over 60 cub-petting menageries.
- Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act: Ending a 7-year battle, this law bans shark fins in US sales – a huge blow to the global slaughter of up to 70 million sharks yearly. The US now leads the world in protecting sharks from this cruel practice.
- Record Enforcement Funding for Horse Protection: The Horse Protection Act enforcement received unprecedented funding, helping crack down on abuses that have plagued horses for decades.
Animal Welfare Group Hails Historic Impact
Since its founding in 2018, Animal Wellness Action has helped bring 12 new animal protection laws to life, including the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, and many others. The recent legislative blitz makes this period the most transformative in US animal welfare history.
