Ohio Animal Advocates is excited to introduce Scott Mills, Chief Dog Warden and Humane Agent for Marion County in Ohio and a member of the OAA Board of Directors. Scott has spent more than a decade working directly in animal welfare and brings firsthand experience in humane enforcement, animal cruelty investigations, community resources and legislation to OAA.

Animal Charity of Ohio has suspended its humane investigations and animal intakes, citing financial and capacity challenges that organization leaders say have made it impossible to continue the services for now. The organization had already suspended animal control services in June, but continued conducting humane investigations and accepting animals from abuse and neglect cases.

Concerns about conditions at the Lake County Dog Shelter are drawing increased attention after an HVAC failure during extreme summer heat forced officials to relocate most of the shelter’s dogs. During a July heat wave, temperatures inside the shelter reportedly reached 94.5 degrees.

For many people entering inpatient treatment for substance use disorder, one heartbreaking question can become a barrier to getting help: Who will take care of my dog? That's where Dogs Matter comes in. The fear of surrendering or abandoning that companion can cause people to delay—or avoid—life-saving treatment altogether.

A veterinary emergency can happen when you least expect it, and the cost of care can quickly become overwhelming. If you're struggling to afford emergency treatment for your pet, financial assistance may be available. Ohio Animal Advocates has compiled a list of nonprofit organizations that offer emergency veterinary expense grants.

Apply for funding through the Community Cats Grants program, brought to you by our partners at United Spay Alliance. The Fall/Winter application deadline is August 31st. These matching grants are designed to help grassroots trap-neuter-return (TNR) organizations, rescue groups, and low-cost spay/neuter providers strengthen their fundraising efforts.

China has announced a nationwide campaign to combat illegal bird and wildlife hunting, targeting poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and organized trafficking networks through the end of 2026. The effort includes stronger enforcement against crimes involving migratory birds, cross-border cooperation, and continued investments in biodiversity conservation.

Veterinary care has become significantly more expensive over the past decade, with costs rising much faster than overall inflation. While advances in veterinary medicine, staffing shortages, and higher operating costs all play a role, another factor is receiving increased attention: the growing number of veterinary practices owned by private equity firms and large corporations.

When advocating for affordable spay/neuter programs, compassion matters, but so do the numbers. Our partners at United Spay Alliance have released The Financial Case for Spay/Neuter: A Guide for Advocates, a free resource designed to help advocates demonstrate how investing in prevention can save local governments money while reducing pet overpopulation.

A newly finalized federal rule removes the long-standing regulatory definition that recognized certain habitat destruction as "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). That definition helped protect endangered species by recognizing that destroying nesting sites, wetlands, forests, and other essential habitat can injure or kill wildlife, even when the harm isn't immediate or direct.

Commercial dog breeders in Ohio have accumulated numerous state inspection violations while continuing to sell puppies, according to an investigation by Columbus Dispatch reporter Nathan Hart. His report focuses on the serious health issues experienced by dogs adopted from puppy mills, and how these issues also contribute unexpected and expensive vet bills for families who just bought a new pet. 

Take action for Ohio animals. Learn about H.B. 664, S.B. 232, and S.B. 393, including expanded veterinary care, stronger protections for puppies, and increased penalties for bestiality. Find out where each bill stands and how you can contact your Ohio legislators to support meaningful animal welfare reforms.