Humane Talk The Humane Society of the United States

The HSUS' mission statement is Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty. The HSUS addresses the most egregious forms of cruelty against animals, but also celebrates the human-animal bond and animals that go above and beyond. Wayne and Tracie discuss the Pets of Valor award, which recognizes companion animals who have acted in heroic ways to save their human counterparts.

The HSUS recently released its 2012 annual report, showing the huge accomplishments of the organization for the year. Tracie and Wayne discuss the why The HSUS is the most effective animal welfare organization in the country and how animals have benefited from its important work.

Wayne and Tracie discuss the use of gas chambers, an antiquated and inhumane method of euthanizing shelter animals. Recently, Texas banned gas chambers, Mississippi shuttered the last chamber in the state, and Kansas closed one of the last in their state as well. Soon, gas chambers will be a thing of the past, and The HSUS has helped to lead the way.

All 50 states have laws that ban animal fighting, however a dangerous loophole exists in federal law that prevents spectators from being arrested or prosecuted. Consequently, the majority of people attending the fights walk away without consequence. This bill would close the loophole and include a ban on adults bringing children to animal fights. Tracie and Wayne discuss the history of animal fights and why this law is so important.

The conditions The HSUS Animal Rescue Team witnessed at a recent puppy mill raid in Mississippi were nothing short of appalling. It was, in a word, a nightmare for the animals. Wayne and Tracie talk about  the rescue, the problem of puppy mills, and the PUPS Act, a federal bill that would require direct sellers of 50 or more puppies per year to be federally licensed and inspected for basic humane standards of care.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, has proposed an amendment to the Farm Bill that would nullify any standards approved at the state level to regulate agriculture. The amendment passed the House Agriculture Committee and if passed by the full House, could allow the overturning of every voter-approved animal welfare ballot measure relating to agriculture. The HSUS is continuing the fight to strip this incredibly destructive provision from the Farm Bill.