Earlier this spring, more than 200 animals were rescued from a farm in Wellington, Ohio, after investigators uncovered what one shelter called “deplorable and inhumane” conditions. The rescue, led by the Friendship Animal Protective League (FAPL), marks the third large-scale animal seizure in less than 30 days for the organization.

Justice is expected to be served for dozens of individuals—both human and canine—caught in a devastating puppy scam that spanned across Ohio and beyond.

On Thursday, April 24, April Waidman of Goshen Township will be sentenced in Mahoning County Court after pleading guilty to over 80 charges, including 45 felony theft counts. Waidman admitted to taking payments for puppies that customers never received, defrauding families across the country of more than $106,000.

For the past several years, Ohio Animal Advocates has been honored to partner with Walking Wild Rescue, a unique and deeply committed sanctuary that provides a second chance to foxes and other animals in need. Many of you have joined us on our Real Ohio Tours to their facility—where compassion, dedication, and heart are felt in every enclosure built and every life saved.

Today, we are reaching out to ask for your help during one of the most heartbreaking moments in the lives of Walking Wild’s founders.

In a landmark decision, the Ohio Supreme Court has clarified that all cats and dogs—whether they live indoors, outdoors, are owned, stray, or community animals—are protected under Ohio’s felony cruelty laws.

The case arose after a man was convicted of felony animal cruelty against a cat. His defense argued that because the animal was not “kept” by a person, it did not qualify for protection under the law. The Court rejected that argument—setting a powerful precedent for animal protection across Ohio.

On April 11, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a groundbreaking plan that could reshape the future of drug development—and save countless animal lives in the process.

In a bold move, FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary unveiled a roadmap to phase out animal testing, starting with monoclonal antibody therapies. Backed by bipartisan legislation and cutting-edge technology, this shift marks the beginning of a more ethical, efficient, and human-relevant approach to drug safety.

On October 24, 2024, Sophia Kartsonis, the former director of Our Farm Sanctuary in Tipp City, Ohio, was sentenced in Miami County Municipal Court on six counts of cruelty to companion animals.

We are thrilled to share that our Board President, Megan Moon, has been honored as the April 2025 recipient of the ‘Do Good for Dayton’ Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals who make significant positive impacts in the Miami Valley, inspiring others to contribute to the betterment of their communities.

In a heartbreaking case that has shaken animal lovers and advocates across Ohio, a man in Summit County has been arrested after allegedly cutting off the tails of three newborn kittens. The suspect, 57-year-old Bret Stalnaker, is now facing a felony charge of animal cruelty.

The heartbreaking story of “Peanut the Squirrel,” an Instagram-famous rescue squirrel, is sparking change in New York state law. Known for his charming personality and social media stardom, Peanut captured the hearts of thousands—but his unexpected death in 2024 has now ignited a movement to better protect animals in similar situations.

In April, we examined why it’s important to plan ahead for our pets.  Pet Planning benefits pets, the people who love them, and our communities.  Existing estate planning laws do not adequately provide for pets, but we can take deliberate steps to provide for and protect our pets by adding pet-specific terms to estate planning documents.   

The estate planning tools we can use to plan, provide for, and protect our pets include powers of attorney, wills, traditional family trusts, and pet trusts.  Each of these planning options will be discussed in this article series, starting with powers of attorney

At Ohio Animal Advocates, we’ve long believed in the powerful bond between humans and animals—and now, science is proving what pet lovers have always known in their hearts: animals don’t just make life sweeter, they help us heal.

A recent article by Ed Boks, The Healing Power of Paws and Whiskers, dives deep into the growing body of research showing just how profoundly companion animals impact human health—emotionally, mentally, and physically.

A new proposal at the Ohio Statehouse is sparking intense discussion among lawmakers, animal welfare advocates, and communities across the state. Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) is drafting legislation that would mandate euthanasia for dogs that seriously injure or kill a human during an unprovoked attack—removing judicial discretion that currently exists under Ohio law.