Humane Talk

The HSUS' mission statement is Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty. The HSUS addresses the most egregious forms of cruelty against animals, but also celebrates the human-animal bond and animals that go above and beyond. Wayne and Tracie discuss the Pets of Valor award, which recognizes companion animals who have acted in heroic ways to save their human counterparts.

The HSUS recently released its 2012 annual report, showing the huge accomplishments of the organization for the year. Tracie and Wayne discuss the why The HSUS is the most effective animal welfare organization in the country and how animals have benefited from its important work.

Wayne and Tracie discuss the use of gas chambers, an antiquated and inhumane method of euthanizing shelter animals. Recently, Texas banned gas chambers, Mississippi shuttered the last chamber in the state, and Kansas closed one of the last in their state as well. Soon, gas chambers will be a thing of the past, and The HSUS has helped to lead the way.

All 50 states have laws that ban animal fighting, however a dangerous loophole exists in federal law that prevents spectators from being arrested or prosecuted. Consequently, the majority of people attending the fights walk away without consequence. This bill would close the loophole and include a ban on adults bringing children to animal fights. Tracie and Wayne discuss the history of animal fights and why this law is so important.

The conditions The HSUS Animal Rescue Team witnessed at a recent puppy mill raid in Mississippi were nothing short of appalling. It was, in a word, a nightmare for the animals. Wayne and Tracie talk about  the rescue, the problem of puppy mills, and the PUPS Act, a federal bill that would require direct sellers of 50 or more puppies per year to be federally licensed and inspected for basic humane standards of care.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, has proposed an amendment to the Farm Bill that would nullify any standards approved at the state level to regulate agriculture. The amendment passed the House Agriculture Committee and if passed by the full House, could allow the overturning of every voter-approved animal welfare ballot measure relating to agriculture. The HSUS is continuing the fight to strip this incredibly destructive provision from the Farm Bill.

Wayne and Tracie discuss the recent developments in the ongoing struggle to keep dolphin-safe tuna labeling requirements intact. After Mexico challenged the U.S. dolphin-safe tuna law under WTO principles, saying it unfairly discriminated against them, the U.S. complied with the ruling. But instead of dismantling the dolphin-safe standards, the Obama administration is expanding the scope of the law to all apply to all oceans.

Assembly Bill 711 seeks to ban the use of toxic lead ammunition in California. Lead bullets continue to kill wildlife long after being discharged. A California condor, a golden eagle, and countless other animals have died after ingesting lead shot. Lead ammunition poses a threat to the environment, wildlife, and even humans, and non-lead alternatives are widely available. Tracie and Wayne discuss the issue and why the ban is necessary.

Thousands of baby seals are clubbed to death during the Canadian seal slaughter each year. Although there is little demand for seal fur, the Canadian government continues to buy up the excess pelts. This year, The HSUS was the only organization in the air to witness the slaughter and report back. Wayne and Tracie discuss this year's slaughter and how The HSUS continues to work to end it.

Michigan Senate Bill 288 would allow the repeal of one of the most popular ballot measures in Michigan history, which outlawed the target shooting of mourning doves. It would also derail the recent wolf protection referendum that garnered more than a quarter million signatures and would allow the unelected, seven-member Michigan Natural Resources Commission to add animals to the list of game species without public input. Wayne and Tracie discuss the bill and its implications.

Tracie and Wayne discuss Wayne's recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he talked about the dangerous Tennessee anti-whistleblower bill that's on its way to Governor Bill Haslam's desk. They also discuss the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, a federal bill that would strengthen the Horse Protection Act to include horse soring – a cruel method of forcing exaggerated gaits of Tennessee walking horses, called the "Big Lick."

The second largest school district in the country, Los Angeles Unified, recently made a commitment to go meat-free on Mondays. Wayne and Tracie discuss why decreasing meat consumption is essential to public and social health, the environment and animal welfare.

Wayne and Tracie discuss puppy mills, the AKC, and the recently introduced PUPS Act – federal legislation that would close a loophole that allows puppy millers to sell over the internet without regulation.

Starting in the 1990s, there was an effort to reintroduce wolves in the Northern Rockies. Many people were quick to label the effort a success, but that was a premature judgment. Since wolves were stripped of federal protections in 2011, hundreds have been slaughtered. Wayne and Tracie discuss these apex predators and why the reintroduction efforts have failed.

The FTC has taken action against several big name retailers that falsely advertised real fur as faux fur. The HSUS has conducted many investigations exposing falsely labeled or falsely advertised fur garments. Wayne and Tracie discuss the recent developments and the cruelty behind real fur.