Last fur farm in Germany shuts down
The country introduced a ban on all fur farming in 2017, with a deadline for closures required by 2022 to allow farmers to transition into new, less cruel industries.
Animal rights & well-being
This archive tracks real progress on animal rights and well-being — from landmark legislation and court rulings to shifts in farming practices and scientific recognition of animal sentience. These stories focus on what’s working and why it matters for both animals and the humans who share the planet with them.
World-leading ivory ban becomes law in the U.K.
The act will introduce a total ban on dealing in items containing elephant ivory, regardless of their age, within the U.K., including export from or import to the U.K..
California becomes first U.S. state to ban sale of animal-tested cosmetics
The bill prohibits manufacturers from trying to “import for profit, sell, or offer for sale” any cosmetic that is tested on animals. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
Massachusetts passes Question 3, banning small cages for farm animals
Question 3, the Massachusetts ballot question that would have banned the sale of foods derived from animals raised in cruel conditions, has passed handily, setting new rules on the size of cages in which farmers can raise chickens, cows, and pigs.