Our Victories in 2019
JANUARY 2019
Community Cats
Knoxville Trap and Release ordinance passed following IDA alert
JANUARY 2019
Elephants
The first ban, dubbed Nosey’s Law, was signed on December 14, making it illegal for any traveling acts in the state of New Jersey to use exotic animals, thereby protecting animals from the “abuses inherent in traveling shows.” We asked you to contact New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other decision-makers to raise awareness of Nosey the elephant’s plight including being forced to perform despite suffering from arthritis and a plethora of other excruciating medical conditions. Thanks to your involvement, Nosey’s Law will now save more exotic animals from similarly unacceptable captive abuse.
FEBRUARY 2019
Wild Horses & Burros
After working for over a year with local organizers to get an advocacy group going strong in the Piceance/East Douglas HMA area (Meeker, CO), the group obtained their non-profit status, held organizational meetings and work days, and gained status in their community. The work culminated in having the fertility control trainer from the Science and Conservation Center in Billings, MT, come to Grand Junction, CO to facilitate the 3-day PZP dart training and certification class. This is important to be able to bring the herd population under control to make roundups and removals unnecessary in the future.
MARCH 2019
Farmed Animals
IKEA has announced several improvements to its animal welfare policy for chickens raised on meat farms that supply its in-store restaurants throughout North America, Europe and Asia. These improvements were advanced by The Open Wing Alliance, an alliance which brings member organizations together, including In Defense of Animals, to create a unified front to help chickens raised for food — arguably the most abused land-animal species in the world.
MARCH 2019
Wild Horses & Burros
The BLM rescinded its disastrous sales policy IM 2018-066. This new rule was published secretly in May 2018, but IDA volunteer, Elise Lowe-Vaughn found it and alerted the WHB advocate community. We (IDA) published an alert for our supporters to contact their legislators about this new rule which was a way to sell WHBs to slaughter by the truckload (24/day/365 days/year to any one buyer). Without any explanation, the BLM went back to its prior policy of only 4 horses per person in six months. Our pressure worked!
APRIL 2019
Community Cats
Thousands signed our legislative alert to end the USDA's needless killing of cats and kittens in toxoplasmosis research and this week the USDA announced it is ending the program!
MAY 2019
Farmed Animals
Launched anti-rodeo campaign via billboard.
MAY 2019
Animal Experiments
Victory! Calfiornia's Lab Gag Bill (AB 700) is dead, thanks to all of you for voicing your opposition! The industry's underhanded attempt to hide abuse of millions of animals in labs failed miserably! We have a right to know when our tax dollars fund animal cruelty!
MAY 2019
Justice for Animals
Rescued neglect, starving horses.
JUNE 2019
Wild Animals
We’re thrilled to announce a major victory for wild animals in Arizona! The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously to ban wildlife killing contests for predatory and furbearing species. In Defense of Animals and fellow allies on the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests advocated against these barbaric contests. Hundreds of coyotes, bobcats, cougars, foxes and other species will be spared each year thanks to this wonderful decision.
JUNE 2019
Elephants
In Defense of Animals has welcomed an announcement issued by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, that it will be closing its elephant exhibit. In Defense of Animals featured Riverbanks Zoo as the number 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America on its list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2017 after two elephants died within six months of one another.
JUNE 2019
Cetaceans
After being introduced over three years ago, Bill S-203 — which bans cetacean captivity in Canada - has finally passed! This social pressure was felt in part due to the support of In Defense of Animals’ work and supporters. At least 10,000 emails and phone calls were sent to the Canadian government in support of the bill!
JUNE 2019
Cetaceans
Won right to protest outside Six Flags in Court of Appeals case.
JULY 2019
Farmed Animals
We helped to rescue hundreds of cows from slaughter after a Hawaaian dairy farm shut down.
AUGUST 2019
Farmed Animals
The world’s largest ice cream chain, Baskin Robbins, is now serving two new delicious vegan ice cream flavors: Non-Dairy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Non-Dairy Chocolate Extreme! This victory comes after thousands of In Defense of Animals supporters contacted Baskin Robbins asking the chain to launch a vegan ice cream. These vegan offerings have been two years in the making, beginning around the same time we launched our alert.
AUGUST 2019
Justice for Animals
Notorious Facebook killer, Madison M. Gautreaux, has been sentenced for burning and torturing a defenseless terrier named Bobo to death. She recently received a lengthy prison sentence for the three felonies committed against Bobo and his guardian. In Defense of Animals was one of several advocacies that pushed for tough sentencing for Gautreaux. We would like to thank all of our supporters for signing our letter to District Attorney Charles Riddle supporting his prosecution of this case to the fullest.
AUGUST 2019
Cetaceans
Triple A Northeast cut ties with Seaworld after our alert.
AUGUST 2019
Cetaceans
Alabama Dolphinariaum plans stopped after our alert.