In a historic step for animal and environmental protection, municipalities in Peru have officially recognized native stingless bees as legal subjects with rights, marking the first known time in global legal history that insects have been granted this kind of legal recognition.

The new ordinances, passed in the Peruvian regions of Satipo and Nauta, recognize stingless bees and their habitats as having the right to exist, thrive, regenerate natural cycles, and receive legal protection from environmental harm.

For years, a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) felt like a death sentence for cat caregivers and veterinarians alike. Shelters, rescues, foster homes, and cat owners across the country experienced the heartbreak of losing kittens and cats to a disease that once had no effective treatment. Today, that reality is changing.

In a recent episode of the Community Cats Central, renowned pet journalist and feline advocate Steve Dale shared a message that brought veterinarians around the world to tears:

“I’m announcing that FIP is no longer considered fatal.”

The 2026 grant cycle at Ohio Animal Foundation kicked off on May 1st. They are accepting applications for their small grant program throughout the month of May. The typical grant range is $250-$500. Ohio-based nonprofit organizations with programs benefitting companion animals and/or Ohio wildlife are encouraged to apply. Note that applications requesting a general donation are not accepted.

A recent animal cruelty case out of Dayton has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections for animals and continued education around violence prevention in Ohio.

According to reporting from WKEF News, a Dayton man was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to setting a kitten on fire in July 2024.

Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA) recently joined a broad national coalition of animal welfare, public health, environmental, and legal advocacy organizations in submitting formal comments opposing proposed federal rules that would increase slaughter line speeds for pigs, chickens, and turkeys.

On April 22, 2026, My Dog Is My Home (MDIMH) hosted an Open House at Found House Interfaith Housing Network in Cincinnati, bringing together advocates and professionals from across the tri-state area and beyond.

Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA) was proud to attend and witness firsthand the incredible work Found House is doing to support individuals experiencing housing instability without separating them from their pets.

What if your old clothes, vintage finds, or unused household items could directly support lifesaving work for cats? That’s exactly what’s happening in Canton, Ohio.

In a recent conversation with Ohio Animal Advocates, Chris Riggi of Riggi Rescue shared how their newly launched resale shop, CLAWS (Cats’ Lives Are Worth Saving), is doing more than just raising funds. It’s building community, creating sustainability, and fueling Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts on the ground.

In a dramatic turn of events, a proposed bill that could have significantly weakened the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was pulled from consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives just before a scheduled vote.

The decision followed widespread opposition from lawmakers, conservation groups, and the public, highlighting the continued importance of strong federal protections for wildlife.

In a significant step forward for both animal protection and community well-being, Paraguay has officially mandated the inclusion of animal welfare education in primary and secondary school curriculums.

Through the passage of Law 7513/25, the Paraguayan government is embedding compassion, responsibility, and humane values directly into the education system, reaching students at a formative stage of life.

A significant shift may be underway in how drugs are developed in the United States. One that could reduce reliance on animal testing while improving outcomes for people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a draft guidance for industry titled “General Considerations for the Use of New Approach Methodologies in Drug Development.” This guidance signals growing federal support for alternatives to traditional animal testing.

Ohio has an opportunity to take a critical step forward in protecting animals and communities by strengthening penalties for one of the most disturbing forms of abuse: bestiality.

Senate Bill 393 would increase the penalty for bestiality from a misdemeanor to a felony, recognizing the severity of these acts and ensuring stronger accountability for offenders.

Across Ohio and the country, community cats are a visible, and often misunderstood, part of our neighborhoods. These cats didn’t appear overnight. They are the result of unsterilized populations, gaps in access to spay/neuter services, and a lack of coordinated community response.

When people step in to help by feeding outdoor cats, it can spark debate. But the truth is, feeding is only one piece of a much larger picture.