Friends of Animals

03/03/2025

Now more than ever, wild horses have a target on their back. The rate at which the second Trump administration is tearing down protections for public lands and implementing Project 2025 initiatives is alarming. Calling all wild horse advocates: Speak up against any actions that would undermine protection of wild horses or allow for their “slaughter” and “disposal.”

Read our open letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum below.

Read our response below and then contact Secretary Burgum using the info here: https://www.doi.gov/contact-us -back Department of the Interior1849 C Street, N.W.Washington DC 20240 Call: (202) 208-3100 March 3, 2025 Re: Project 2025 policy initiatives that call for the disposal of wild horses Dear...

03/03/2025

While breeders churn out cats with exaggerated traits that can cause serious health problems, shelters are overwhelmed with millions of cats in need. Every kitten bought from a breeder takes a home away from a cat at risk of death. If you’re ready for a feline companion, adoption is the only choice! Learn more in our recent "Action Line" article below.

Meg Hennessy If he could, my husband would have 100 rescued cats living in our house. Although I share in the sentiment that cats are incredible, I’ve explained many times that two rescued cats are plenty for our household at the moment.  Regardless, we never pass up an opportunity to gawk at oth...

02/28/2025

Horse racing is a revolting industry that's being kept on life support by billions in taxpayer subsidies and gambling revenue. But no amount of money justifies the breeding, drugging and deaths of over 11,000 horses since 2014. Unlike other sports, racing kills its athletes, all while enriching owners with bloated payouts. It’s time to stop propping up this dying industry of horse racing.

Let the sport of kings stand on its own.

02/27/2025

Jeers to Rosebud Baker and Desi Lydic for their grotesque attempt at comedy on The Daily Show , joking about kicking pigeons while wildlife is under siege from bird flu. NYC’s pigeons don’t deserve abuse or scapegoating...violence against animals isn’t a punchline.

Jeers to comedian Rosebud Baker and “Today Show” host Desi Lydic for their reckless, flippant, not funny remarks about kicking pigeons last night. Lydic was interviewing Baker and asked her how she coped with the pace of the news. “I center myself. Breathe. And just kick one pigeon as far as I...

02/26/2025

Scammers are getting more creative and cruel when it comes to exploiting animal lovers. Some post fake adoption listings, stealing photos to collect fees for pets that don’t exist. Others pretend to have found a lost pet, demanding payment before returning them.

Our latest article breaks down the biggest red flags and how to avoid getting duped.

Recently there was a post on my town’s page that made me cringe. A distressed dog owner had come to the page to warn others about how she was the target of a scam. Her dog had run away and after her family put up many signs around the neighborhood, she received a call […]

02/25/2025

Today is , and there’s no better time to talk about preventing pet overpopulation before it starts. Spaying and neutering before six months prevents unwanted litters, reduces behavioral issues, and protects pets from serious health risks.

Friends of Animals’ low-cost spay/neuter certificate program makes it easier to do the right thing. Find a participating vet in our program today: https://friendsofanimals.org/get-a-certificate-spay-neuter-certificate/

02/24/2025

"'This is about Connecticut (focusing) on less-toxic methods of pest control and removing food sources,' said Nicole Rivard, government relations manager for the Darien-based Friends of Animals."

We're more determined than ever to pass legislation that will ban the usage of the chemicals called Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGAR) in CT that are poisoning our state's raptors and wildlife.

In recent years state officials have joined the pesticide industry in rejecting proposals to restrict the use of rat poison increasingly found in dead birds

02/21/2025

Cheers to the NYC Bar Association for calling on city officials to send Happy and Patty, the Bronx Zoo’s last two elephants, to sanctuaries where they can finally experience the freedom they deserve.

For nearly 50 years, they’ve been trapped in confinement while zoos profit from their suffering. Legal experts are making it clear that the city has both the power and responsibility to act.

Friends of Animals applauds the NYC Bar Association for urging city officials to send Happy and Patty, the Bronx Zoo’s last two elephants, to sanctuaries where they can finally experience the dignity and space they deserve. For nearly 50 years, these intelligent, social animals have been denied th...

02/20/2025

We joined State Rep Joe Gresko yesterday Connecticut to help advocate for a ban on rodenticides (SGARs) that pose significant threats to wildlife. These poisons don’t just kill rodents, they contaminate the entire ecosystem, causing agonizing deaths for owls, hawks, foxes, and other animals who consume poisoned prey. We refuse to stand by while toxic pest control methods continue to decimate wildlife populations!

HARTFORD, CT – Lawmakers and advocates gathered Wednesday to join Rep. Joe Gresko, D-Stratford, at a morning news conference to raise awareness about the harmful effects of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on Connecticut's wildlife and public health.

02/18/2025

Wyoming is once again rebranding cruelty as entertainment. From Feb. 21-23, the bar Waterhole #3 in Big Piney is hosting the vile “Song Dog Shootout,” a coyote killing contest where slaughter is disguised as sport.

Call Amy at (307) 231-0172 and Waterhole #3 at (307) 276-9977 to demand they cancel this disgusting event. And if Gov. Mark Gordon was truly outraged by past wildlife torture, he should speak out now...reach his office at (307) 777-7434.

The state of Wyoming is continuing its reputation for rebranding cruelty as fun this upcoming weekend, Feb.21-23.  Nearly a year after Gov. Mark Gordon lamented over the videos of bloodthirsty bargoers typing up and torturing an injured wolf, violence apparently still accompanies happy hour. The ....

02/14/2025

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day can be a bit much...but in the animal world, love is refreshingly simple and instinctual. At Friends of Animals, we look to nature when humanity gets confusing, and who better to remind us of love’s magic than animals?

Check out some of the most fascinating animal romances featuring wolves, swans, gentoo penguins, and even seahorses! https://friendsofanimals.org/love-is-wild-love-stories-from-the-animal-world-2/

02/13/2025

At this point, eggs might as well be a luxury item. Instead of breaking the bank, why not ditch them altogether? From silken tofu to chickpea flour, going vegan is easier (and cheaper) than ever with delicious alternatives that don’t exploit hens.

We're always here to help. Get started today with our free vegan guide and recipes:

Learn about the ethical and environmental reasons to adopt a vegan lifestyle while discovering delicious vegan recipes.

02/12/2025

Hunting is a dying industry, but cruel wildlife killing contests where participants compete to kill the most animals for prizes are still happening across the country. Fortunately, momentum is building to end them. Ten states have already banned them, and new bills are being proposed in Illinois, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.

A federal bill, H.R. 8492, would ban them on public lands, and you can help by urging your representatives to support it.

At Friends of Animals, we’ve always understood that hunting is barbaric and entirely needless. The good news is, it’s an industry in freefall.   Despite this decline, wildlife killing contests, where participants compete to slaughter the most animals (typically species viewed as “pests”) f...

02/10/2025

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious food, whether you’re dining out or ordering in. But why not take it a step further and surprise your loved one with a homemade vegan dessert?

We’ve got three wonderful recipes to help you impress: a rich chocolate pudding cake, a warm raspberry apple crumble, and crisp, creamy pistachio cannolis. Find the recipes below!

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious food, whether you’re dining out or ordering in with takeout. But why not take it a step further and surprise your loved one with a homemade vegan dessert? There’s something special about creating something from scratch, plus, who ca...

02/10/2025

FoA is setting the record straight when it comes to the question of if Connecticut should introduce a bear hunt. Instead of blaming black bears for doing what comes naturally, lawmakers should focus on real solutions...like enforcing wildlife feeding bans, securing trash, and using electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops.

A cruel and random bear hunt won’t stop bears from being curious or opportunistic. It won’t make communities safer. It will only punish these intelligent animals for human negligence. https://bit.ly/4gxBy3h

02/06/2025

Skip the flowers and chocolate this Valentine’s Day and give a gift that make a difference! For $30, you can send a fruit party to the chimps at Primarily Primates, the sanctuary we manage, in honor of your Valentine. They will then send you a video of the chimps enjoying your gift in a personalized box and share them on their social media pages too!

Order by February 10th to join the fun:

Primarily Primates

02/05/2025

Cheers to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for rejecting the meat industry’s attempt to derail the state’s wolf reintroduction program. Thanks to their decision, 15 more wolves have been released in Colorado, strengthening efforts to establish a self-sustaining population.

We urged CPW to stand firm against these industry-backed attacks, and we’re glad they did.

Cheers to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for denying the morally bankrupt meat industry’s petition to indefinitely halt the state’s wolf reintroduction program. As a result, 15 more wolves—translocated from the central interior of British Columbia to Colorado—were recently releas...

02/04/2025

Raising backyard chickens isn’t just cruel to the birds, it’s a danger to public health. The first U.S. human death from H5N1 bird flu was reported in Louisiana, linked to contact with sick birds in a backyard flock. Experts warn that the virus has pandemic potential, yet small-scale farming operations continue to be romanticized as a "humane alternative" to factory farming.

The real solution isn’t backyard coops...it’s leaving animals off our plates altogether.

On Jan. 6, 2025, the United States reported the first human death caused by the H5N1 bird flu. It occurred in Louisiana, and according to the state’s Department of Health, the person had been in close contact with sick birds in a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The incident is a remi...