Animal Welfare / Public News Service

California's Proposition 12 requires producers to give laying hens one square foot of space each, and breeding sows 24 square feet each. (Krustovin/Adobe Stock)

Congressional hearing challenges CA animal welfare laws

Pork producers are expected to argue against California's animal welfare laws at a hearing Wednesday before the House Committee on Agriculture…

The shift to cage-free eggs has accelerated after 11 states, including Colorado, set regulations on so-called conventional eggs, and the recent bird flu crisis, which led to the loss of more than 125 million U.S. hens. (Adobe Stock)

'Compassion Calculator' helps CO meat eaters offset animal welfare effects

A new "Compassion Calculator" launched by the charity portal FarmKind aims to help Coloradans who eat meat improve their animal welfare footprints by …

The Island Fox is the only carnivore unique to California. (Photo courtesy Chuck Graham)

CA's Channel Islands Fox, a conservation success story

A small fox that lives on the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California is thriving after near extinction. The island fox - found nowhere …

Beaver Dam analogs, designed to mimic natural beaver dams, can help restore and improve stream ecosystems. (Emily Luberto/National Park Service)

Beavers' dam expertise helps NM communities restore waterways

Sometimes called the original "ecosystem engineers," beavers and the techniques they use are guiding conservationists in New Mexico to protect scarce …

Veterinarians said when there is a bout of unhealthy air from wildfire smoke and you have to get your pet some outside time, mornings are best when the weather is cooler. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting furry friends from wildfire smoke

Minnesota's transition to the warmer months has been rough when factoring in air quality. Just like in 2023, there are occasional bouts of unhealthy …

Christina Eastman, a fifth-generation farmer who is a co-founder of Farmers Against Foster Farms. Her farm is located next to a proposed CAFO site which has now been blocked. (Kendra Kimbirauskas)

OR farmers block construction of new factory farm

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Oregon News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Most U.S. states have CAFOs, typically ranging from 100 to 1,000 animals, although a few have fewer than 10. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

CAFO v. factory farm: What’s the difference?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Missouri News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Around 5.8 million cats and dogs were taken to shelters across the United States in 2024, down 1% from 2023. (hedgehog94/Adobe Stock)

Spay and neuter program designed to reduce stray animal population across TX

CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story described the spay/neuter effort as a "bill," rather than a pilot program. (12:16 a.m. MDT, June 16…

California law bans unnecessary animal suffering but enforcement is rare in large-scale factory farms.(Adobe Stock)

Cal student faces prison for rescuing chickens

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

A single Abercrombie dairy facility will house 12,500 cows. Combined with the planned 25,000-cow Herberg site, these two operations will generate manure equivalent to that of a city of 1.5 million. (Adobe Stock)

ND mega-dairies draw criticism at Winnipeg news conference

North Dakota is facing growing opposition to two massive dairy operations planned near the Red River. Environmental advocates say the projects could …

The temporary permitting process at Hobbs State Park includes specific collection zones, boundaries and safety requirements. Only dead trees impacted by the 2024 storm may be removed. (Kit Leong/Adobe Stock)

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

As the cleanup effort continues at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area in Rogers, officials with Arkansas State Parks have authorized a temporary …

Until the 1960s, the New World screwworm was common across Mexico and the southern United States. But it was thought to be eradicated in the late 1950s. (Adobe Stock)

Oklahoma aims to protect livestock from possible screwworm outbreak

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Oklahoma News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Mountain lions and wolves have increasingly come into conflict with humans and livestock in California in recent years, resulting in calls to address the problem. (Vadosloginov/Adobe Stock)

Experts examine ethics of lethal animal population control in CA

By Amy McDermott for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for…

U.S. retail egg prices fell in April from the record-high prices they hit earlier this year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Pixabay)

Corporate practices jack up Mississippi’s egg prices

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Male pig castration is done to prevent unwanted breeding and improve meat quality. (Adobe Stock)

IN animal research lab reduced to shoestring staff

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Indiana News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration The U…

TX family transitions from growing chickens to growing hemp

An east Texas farming family is reaping the benefits after transitioning from industrial chicken farming to growing hemp. For 30 years, the Halley …

Proponents of concentrated animal feeding operations said they are good for business and are an economic necessity to keep operating costs down and prices for milk, cheese and meat products affordable. (Adobe Stock)

Pierce County residents say fight against CAFO is a fight for their lives

A group of Pierce County residents is awaiting a response to a petition for a contested case hearing for the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy to grow f…

Large confined animal feeding operations can pack more than 125,000 broiler chickens or 82,000 laying hens hundreds into tight spaces, creating ideal conditions for the spread of diseases like bird flu. (Fernando/AdobeStock)

Other states learn from PA's 'bird flu-free' status

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News…

CA animal rights protesters ask judge to throw out lawsuit from Perdue Foods

An animal rights group filed a motion Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit stemming from protests in front of the home of an executive for Perdue Foods…

Alfalfa farms consumed a third of Colorado's entire Colorado River allocation in 2024, enough to supply the city of Denver for 38 years. (Adobe Stock)

More than 2 trillion gallons of Colorado River water tapped by alfalfa farms in 2024

As Colorado and other Basin states relying on the shrinking Colorado River work to reduce water use, new data showed just how much water is helping …

Experts say the Food Security and Farm Protection Act could potentially threaten over 1,000 public health, food safety and welfare laws across the country. (Dusan Petkovic/Adobe Stock)

New bill in Congress seeks to overturn CA animal welfare law

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

Since bird flu outbreaks began in 2022, more than 456,000 birds in Tennessee have been affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Abdullah/Adobe Stock)

TN poultry expert says backyard chickens won't save money on eggs

Rising egg prices have some wondering if raising backyard chickens could save money, but experts warn that this may not be a money-saving option…

Despite some state space improvements, about 60% of U.S. egg-laying hens are still kept in cramped battery cages, each with less space than a sheet of paper. (Alex/AdobeStock)

Pennsylvania egg brand agrees to drop ‘free-roaming’ label

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public Ne…

The United States is the third-largest pork producer in the world and already exports around one-third of the pork it produces domestically. (Chayakorn/Adobe Stock)

Chinese-owned farms press for repeal of CA animal welfare law

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

The Texas horned lizard currently is listed as a threatened species in Texas. It can be found from the south-central United States to northern Mexico, throughout much of Texas, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. (David McGowen/Adobe Stock)

From horny toad to Guadalupe bass, Texans work to save wildlife

Wildlife conservationists are working with landowners and concerned Texans to recover at-risk species. Currently, more than 1,100 animals from …

The study analyzed 56 million cow-level production records across 18,000 dairy farms from 2012 to 2016. (Adobe Stock)

New study: Small farms disproportionately impacted by extreme heat

A new study shows how extreme weather conditions negatively affect production yields on Midwest dairy farms, with a disproportionate impact on …

In 2024, the National Chicken Council estimated per capita consumption of chicken in the U.S. was 104 pounds. (Adobe Stock)

Something to crow about: Technology reduces male chick culling in IN

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Indiana News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Eg…

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have recently come under scrutiny for not doing more to enforce factory farm manure discharge permits. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa slaughterhouse faces water pollution lawsuit

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration In …

Agriculture trade groups want to see a rollback of federal environmental regulations on the meatpacking industry, along with fewer worker protections and food safety measures. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska meatpackers call on feds to deregulate industry

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Bobcats are elusive, native predators known for their sharp senses and solitary nature, typically hunting at dawn or dusk. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosiers get final say on bobcat hunting plan

Indiana's Natural Resources Commission will decide this week whether to allow bobcat trapping, giving Hoosiers one last chance to weigh in. The …

Federal agencies are ramping up efforts to contain avian flu, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture rolling out a $1 billion plan focused on biosecurity, financial relief for affected producers and research into possible vaccines for poultry. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leads nation in bird flu cases, consumers face rising costs

A Food and Water Watch report claims Ohio egg producers are profiting from the bird flu outbreak. Ohio, a top egg producer, has lost nearly 15 …

Nationally, the average cost of a dozen large eggs was $4.15 in December, up from $3.65 in November, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Nitr/Adobe Stock)

Report: Bird flu not cause of rising egg prices in TX

A new report by the group Food and Water Watch said egg companies are exploiting the bird flu outbreak for profit. On average, the price of a dozen …

The recent avian flu outbreak has resulted in the death of at least 30 million birds in Iowa, mostly culled because of exposure to the disease, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Egg producers 'exploit avian flu outbreak' for profit

A new report by the group Food and Water Watch says egg companies are exploiting the bird flu outbreak for profit in Iowa. Data show egg prices in …

The CDC recommends wearing personal protective equipment when handling sick or dead birds, cleaning and disinfecting contaminated areas, and avoiding stirring up dust or bird waste that may spread avian flu. (Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals)

Fact-check: Backyard chickens aren’t safe from bird flu

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collab…

The likelihood of exposure to H5N1 is higher among people consuming raw, unpasteurized milk from infected animals, although the chance of people contracting H5N1 from consuming raw milk is not clear at this time, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Experts worry as zoonotic disease research is reviewed by Trump admin

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

There are more than 500,000 buffalo in North America today, but nearly all of those are livestock, in commercial herds and owned by private landowners. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado lawmakers consider protecting wild buffalo from poaching

Colorado lawmakers could add buffalo, also known as bison, to a long list of wildlife that have been restored to their natural habitat across the …

More than 166 million birds across the country have been affected by avian influenza. (panyawat/Adobe Stock)

Industrial farming in NC, US becomes breeding ground for bird flu

Industrial farming practices could be boosting the spread of bird flu. Avian influenza has been detected in poultry across the country, including in …

Research shows that an animal is abused or neglected every 60 seconds in the United States. <br />(kichigin19/Adobe Stock)

MI lawmakers propose bipartisan bill to prevent animal abuse

A tragic case of neglect that claimed the life of a senior dog in 2021 is now driving change in Michigan, as lawmakers recently introduced "Buddy's …

New Mexico plans to build wildlife crossing corridors across the state to keep vehicles and wildlife from intersecting each other's path. (Adobe Stock)

NM Legislature advances appropriations bill with funding for wildlife corridors

The New Mexico state House of Representatives has advanced an appropriations bill advancing funding for new wildlife migration-crossing corridors to k…

Danny Akenson of the group Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin said the corporate consolidation from concentrated animal feeding operations has caused the shuttering of many small farms across the state. Dairy farms in Wisconsin with fewer than 100 cattle have decreased by more than 50% since 2012. (Adobe Stock)

WI group pushes back after controversial CAFO expansion OK'd

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit to expand Ridge Breeze Dairy in Salem despite hundreds of local objections…

Concentrated animal feeding operations are major polluters of the air and water, yet less than a third in Illinois have National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, which are required when discharging livestock waste. (Adobe Stock)

IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated

Illinois is known for having some of the weakest environmental laws for concentrated animal feeding operations, with a lack of oversight and public …

Immigrant farmworkers make up an estimated 73% of agriculture workers in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Challenges facing farmers in Colorado, across U.S.

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

When biosolids containing PFAS are used as fertilizer, the chemicals leach into soil and groundwater, and are then taken up by plants, which are then consumed by humans, livestock and wildlife. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

North TX county declares disaster due to PFAS contamination

A north Texas commissioners' court has declared a county disaster because of PFAS contamination. Johnson County Commissioners are asking Gov…

Through a legislative proposal, South Dakota agriculture officials are trying to generate an extra $350,000 in permitting fees, so they can maintain oversight of concentrated animal feeding operations. (Adobe Stock)

South Dakota poised to boost fees that help regulate CAFOs

Rural communities in the U.S. remain at the center of debate about the growing presence of large livestock operations. South Dakota lawmakers are …

The Long Beach Animal Care Services said it fights a constant battle for space to shelter dogs and cats. This puppy is currently being fostered with its siblings but will eventually be available for adoption. (Brittany Murray/Medianews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)<br />

A more humane future for CA shelter animals

By S.E. Smith for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

Farmers markets encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables, which is much more climate-friendly compared with a meat-based diet. (Corey/Adobe Stock)

Farmers markets can be a form of climate action

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient/Just and Climate-Friendly …

Depictions on food marketing often do not reflect actual conditions for cows and other animals being raised in factory farms. (We Animals)

Despite advertising, North Carolina's factory farms are not pretty places

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Avian influenza is caused by the same type of virus that causes seasonal influenza in humans. <br />(Pexels)

MS farmers question federal poultry subsidies amid avian flu