Advocacy Center

Chicken Scratch is an ASPCA Blog feature that highlights interesting news about farm animals and farm animal welfare.

We know that you care about animals and want to protect them from cruelty and exploitation, but that it can be hard to know where to begin. And in this hectic world where so many of us have precious little free time, is it even possible to make a real impact in just minutes? We say “yes, it is,” and we’d love to show you how.

In a letter to the editor published today in The Star Ledger, ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker urges New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to take action on a pending pet purchasing bill.

In a guest blog for The Huffington Post, ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker applauds New York City’s new pet store regulations.

Photo: NYC Council Members Corey Johnson and Elizabeth Crowley, who spearheaded this legislation, flank ASPCA President and CEO Matthew Bershadker as he speaks at this morning's rally in support of stronger pet store regulations.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to share the news that the New York City Council today voted in favor of Introductions 55-A, 136-A and 146-A, legislation to regulate city pet stores that sell puppies. Certain provisions of the bills will take effect as soon as January.

As this Year of the Horse comes to a close, we are thrilled to share two huge pieces of news related to horse slaughter:

Congress: Slaughter Funding Ban Included in Omnibus Proposal
Update—December 17, 2014: Great news! This bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by President Obama on December 16. No horse slaughter plants will open on U.S. soil for at least one more year!