Ethics/Welfare

The Senate unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act two weeks after the House passed it on a voice vote. If signed into law, it would make the torture of animals a federal felony punishable by fines and up to seven years in prison. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump.

Sadly, more than 400 of our Facebook fans said they suspected a pet owner of animal abuse. Congress hopes to change that with new legislation that makes animal cruelty a federal felony.

We asked our readers and Facebook fans: “New York has banned declawing procedures for cats. What do you think about this?” More than 2,000 respondents weighed in on the issue.

The first World Animal Day, held in 1925, was attended by 5,000 people. Today, it is a global movement celebrated by animal-rights activists in more than 70 countries.

Sadly, some animals have a rougher start in life than others. That’s the case for the Oregon kitten who has been named Lucky McFoamy. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Lucky was encased in spray foam and left to die in a trash can. Happily, this story has a happy ending.

Yes, we can. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 3.5 million Americans are homeless. Five to 10 percent of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. Here’s how we can help.

The veterinary community can encourage clients to adopt cats from shelters and also educate them about the importance of regular veterinary care for their feline pets.

A kitten that was found encased in hardened spray foam is expected to make a full recovery after being rescued from a garbage can by an Oregon sanitation worker, authorities said.

Rural Area Veterinary Services provides free veterinary care to underserved communities located in Native American reservations in the western U.S. It was life-changing for the author.

When Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 485 into law, California became the first state to ban commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits. The law has stirred controversy.