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2024 A Remarkable Year for Animal Rights in America

Several laws, policies, and campaigns made significant progress in advancing the welfare and protection of animals

By Craig A. Fine, Esq.

March 21, 2024

“The year 2024 is a remarkable one for animal rights in America, as several laws, policies, and campaigns made significant progress in advancing the welfare and protection of animals. From farm animals to wildlife, from research animals to companion animals, here are some of the highlights and challenges of the past year.” Said Craig A. Fine, Esq. 

One of the biggest victories for farm animals in 2024 was the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold California's Proposition 12, widely considered the world's strongest law for the protection of farm animals. The law bans the extreme confinement of mother pigs, hens, and calves in California, and also prohibits the sale of products from animals raised in such conditions in other states. The law, which was approved by voters in 2018, faced several legal challenges from the pork industry, but the Supreme Court rejected them in June 2024, paving the way for its full implementation https://www.humanesociety.org/blog/good-news-start-2024-these-laws-are-now-place-help-animals.

Another milestone for farm animals was the approval of cultivated meat by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in March 2024, making the U.S. the second country in the world to allow the sale of meat grown from animal cells, after Singapore. The approval was hailed by animal advocates as a breakthrough for reducing animal suffering and environmental impact, as well as meeting the growing demand for meat alternatives https://animalcharityevaluators.org/blog/victories-for-animals-in-2023-and-our-hopes-for-2024/.

However, not all news was positive for farm animals in 2024. Several states, such as Arkansas, Montana, and Oklahoma, passed or proposed bills that aimed to restrict or ban the labeling of plant-based and cultivated products as "meat", claiming that they were misleading or confusing for consumers. These bills were seen by many as attempts to protect the interests of the animal agriculture industry and stifle the innovation and competition of the alternative protein sector https://sentientmedia.org/important-laws-for-animals/.

Wildlife also received some attention and support in 2024, as several initiatives and actions sought to protect and conserve wild animals and their habitats. In April 2024, President Biden announced a new plan to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, as part of his broader agenda to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. The plan, dubbed "America the Beautiful", involved collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and private stakeholders, and aimed to restore and enhance the natural resources and ecosystems that support wildlife and human well-being https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/new-animal-welfare-laws.

In July 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would restore the endangered species status of gray wolves in the lower 48 states, reversing a controversial decision by the previous administration that removed federal protections for the animals in 2020. The agency cited new scientific evidence and public input that showed that gray wolves still faced significant threats from habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts with humans and livestock. The agency also pledged to work with state and tribal authorities to ensure the long-term recovery and management of the species.

However, wildlife also faced some challenges and threats in 2024, especially from the illegal trade and exploitation of wild animals and their parts. In September 2024, a major undercover investigation by the Humane Society International revealed the shocking scale and cruelty of the U.S. trophy hunting industry, which involved the killing of thousands of exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, and zebras, in fenced enclosures for sport and entertainment. The investigation also exposed the loopholes and lack of oversight that allowed the import and export of trophies, skins, bones, and other products from these animals, fueling the global wildlife trafficking network.

Research animals also saw some progress and hope in 2024, as several laws and policies aimed to reduce or replace the use of animals in scientific experiments and testing. In January 2024, a first-of-its-kind law in Maryland required animal research facilities in the state to pay into a Human Relevant Research Fund, which provided grants to scientists working to develop non-animal methods, such as human organoids and computer models. The law, which was supported by animal rights groups and medical experts, was expected to save millions of animals from suffering and death, and also improve the quality and relevance of biomedical research.

In February 2024, Michigan became the 16th state to enact a law that ensured dogs and cats used in research facilities were given the opportunity to be adopted after their time in research had ended. The law, named "Teddy's Law" after a beagle who was rescued from a testing facility in 2019, was welcomed by animal advocates and rescue groups, who said that it gave a second chance to animals who had endured pain and trauma in the name of science.

However, research animals also faced some challenges and barriers in 2024, especially from the resistance and inertia of some institutions and industries that relied on animal testing. In October 2024, a coalition of animal rights groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, alleging that the agency violated federal law by requiring unnecessary and cruel animal tests for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. The groups claimed that the agency ignored the availability and validity of alternative methods that did not involve animals and that it wasted time, money, and lives in the process.

Companion animals also received some attention and support in 2024, as several initiatives and actions sought to improve the welfare and protection of pets and their owners. In March 2024, New York became the first state to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores, to crack down on the puppy mill industry and to promote adoption from shelters and rescues. The law, which was applauded by animal advocates and humane societies, also provided financial assistance and incentives to pet stores that transitioned to a humane business model.

In June 2024, California passed a landmark law that required landlords to allow tenants to keep at least one pet in their rental units, as long as they paid a reasonable pet deposit and complied with the health and safety rules. The law, which was supported by animal welfare groups and housing advocates, aimed to prevent the discrimination and eviction of pet owners, and also reduce the number of animals surrendered to shelters due to housing issues.

However, companion animals also faced some challenges and threats in 2024, especially from the abuse and neglect of irresponsible or malicious owners. In August 2024, a nationwide investigation by the ASPCA revealed the shocking extent and severity of animal hoarding in the U.S., which involved the accumulation of large numbers of animals in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. The investigation also exposed the lack of awareness and resources to address this complex and hidden problem, which affected the health and well-being of both animals and humans.

The year 2024 was a remarkable one for animal rights in America, as several laws, policies, and campaigns made significant progress in advancing the welfare and protection of animals. However, the year also showed that there were still many challenges and obstacles to overcome and that there was still much work to be done to achieve a more humane and compassionate world for all animals. As we approach 2025, we hope that the animal rights movement will continue to grow and succeed and that more people will join us in this noble and urgent cause.

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The Importance of Strength Training Exercises

Resistance training, also known as weight or strength training, involves applying resistance to muscular contractions to increase skeletal muscle strength, anaerobic endurance, and size. Strength training is predicated on the idea that when a resistance force is applied to the body, the muscles will struggle to overcome it. Your muscles develop stronger when you practice resistance training regularly. Strength training should be at the top of your to-do list if you do one thing to enhance your health. It entails doing a specific task with one or more muscle groups, such as lifting a weight or squatting. Strength training has become an integral aspect of most workout routines, thanks to a growing body of data demonstrating its numerous advantages. One benefit of strength training is that it lowers abdominal fat. In a study published in the journal Obesity, Harvard researchers monitored 10,500 men for 12 years and discovered that strength training is more helpful than aerobic exercise in reducing belly fat gain. People who integrate strength training into their workout program burn calories while increasing lean muscle mass and metabolism. Muscle mass has a significant role in regulating basal metabolic rate, or how many calories the body burns per day to keep its vital systems running. Improved cardiovascular health is another benefit of strength training. Abdominal fat (also known as visceral fat) in and around the vital organs has been related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Visceral fat is associated with CVD because it is linked to the synthesis of particular proteins and hormones that induce inflammation. This inflammation has been connected to blood vessel damage, elevated blood pressure, and other cardiac issues. As a result, strength training can help improve heart health by avoiding or eliminating extra belly fat. According to an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), strength training lowers blood pressure and lipid levels in the same way as cardiovascular exercise does, but it boosts HDL levels even more. The "good" cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), is responsible for absorbing cholesterol and transporting it back to the liver. It is then flushed from the body by the liver. High HDL cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Moreover, strength or weight training also helps control blood sugar levels. Resistance training should be incorporated into the daily routine of everyone, especially those at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Strength training and growing muscle enhance the muscle's capacity to take in and utilize glucose, or blood sugar. Transporters in your muscle cells gather glucose from the blood and distribute it to the muscle cells. This boosts their ability to absorb a greater amount of glucose from the blood and into muscle, lowering blood sugar levels. Furthermore, resistance training helps reduce the risk of cancer. Visceral fat has been linked to a higher risk of cancer and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. According to a 2017 research published in the journal, Oncogene, visceral fat cells create a significant quantity of fibroblast growth factor-2, a cancer-causing protein. Strength training can aid in the prevention of this cancer-causing protein's development.