Nearly half of U.S. households have a dog—but many families don’t realize their puppy may have come from a commercial dog breeding operation known as a puppy mill.

There are many ideas for holiday gifts, from insipid to inspired. One of the best would be to give a shelter dog or cat a forever home, but only if you have room in your heart and your life. One of the worst gift ideas would be a surprise pet. That adorable fuzzy face under the tree or next to the menorah will live another decade or more. By all means adopt if you can! Just do it as a thoroughly considered commitment, not as spontaneous gesture. Live animals are not merely things to be given for surprise and delight. They have feelings, emotions, and needs. 

Winter can be deadly for stray and homeless dogs. Freezing temperatures, lack of shelter, hunger, and exhaustion combine into a dangerous reality that claims countless lives each year. In parts of Europe, that reality has sparked a powerful innovation, one that blends compassion, sustainability, and smart design.

Despite public commitments to reduce and eventually end experiments on cats and dogs, new reporting reveals that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to fund invasive and painful laboratory experiments on cats.

Winter in Ohio can be brutal, not just for people, but for outdoor animals who don’t have warm homes to retreat to. Community cats, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife rely on the kindness and awareness of neighbors to help them make it through freezing temperatures safely.

The good news? Small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference.

In November 2025, the City of Sturgeon, Missouri agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a federal lawsuit over the police shooting of Teddy, a 13-pound blind and deaf Shih Tzu mix who posed no threat to public safety.

The settlement follows a lawsuit supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which argued that the city and its police department violated the Fourth Amendment by using lethal force instead of humane animal control methods.

A recent animal cruelty investigation in Preble County, Ohio has led to the seizure of 51 animals living in severe neglect and unsafe conditions, a heartbreaking reminder of why strong animal protection laws and enforcement matter.

This Giving Tuesday, your compassion can go three times as far for animals across Ohio. Thanks to a generous sponsor, every dollar donated by December 2 will be matched with two additional dollars, up to $22,500. That means your $25 gift becomes $75—and your impact reaches even further to protect, educate, and empower.

When someone experiences domestic violence, the safety of their pets is often at risk too. Abusers may harm or threaten animals as a way to maintain control. Recognizing this, many states have adopted animal-inclusive protection order statutes, allowing survivors to include their pets in protective orders.

We’re excited to announce that the 2025 Ohio Animal Foundation small grant cycle is officially open! Applications will be accepted from May 1 through June 1, 2025, and we encourage Ohio-based nonprofit organizations working to support companion animals and/or Ohio wildlife to apply.

As we welcome the new year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the difference we’ve made for animals and the opportunities ahead to create an even brighter future for them. At Ohio Animal Advocates, we’re filled with gratitude for your support and the compassion you’ve shown throughout the past year. Together, we’ve worked to ensure animals across Ohio receive the love, care, and protection they deserve.

The holiday season is a time of giving, love, and togetherness—a perfect opportunity to reflect on the joy that animals bring to our lives and how we can give back to them. OAA invites you to join us in making a difference for animals across Ohio this holiday season.