Articles

NAIA Articles

Animal Agriculture


The Red Cow: Bruce Was Born an Orphan

By Lana Kaiser | Published: 09/10/2012

Bruce was born an orphan - a tough way to start a life, especially if you are a calf born 21 days early by caesarian section and expected to live in a barn in March in Michigan…


The Red Cow: The Blue Cow

By Lana Kaiser | Published: 07/9/2012

From the time she was a calf, Blue stood out in the pasture…


We Live in a Marginal Zone

By Lana Kaiser | Published: 05/4/2012

Mother Nature is in control, and most times she has the last laugh.


Animal Legislation


CARE Act Will Not Improve Care for Animals

By | Published: 09/26/2024

The CARE Act would expand the definition of “animal” under the Animal Welfare Act, bringing more species under its protections.


NAIA 2024 Conference: Animal Experts Unite

By | Published: 08/10/2024

NAIA’s annual conference is in Texas this year! Mark your calendar for October 19-20, 2024


NAIA Welcomes Inclusion of New Animal and Public Health Protections in Farm Bill Framework

By | Published: 06/12/2024

Today, NAIA commends Ranking Member Boozman (R-AR) for the inclusion of safeguards for animal and public health in his Farm Bill framework.


Animal Research


The Use of Dogs in Animal-Based Research: The Rest of the Story

By | Published: 10/28/2021

We’ve spent several days gathering information we could share with our readers to enable them to understand a little more about a very complex subject.


New Jersey’s Research Community Welcomes Passage of Homes for Animal Heroes Act

By Administrator | Published: 01/14/2020

New Jersey’s thriving biomedical research community applauds the Legislature for passing Assembly Bill 3274/Senate Bill 2826, the “Homes for Animal Heroes Act.”


“Homes for Animal Heroes Act” Becomes Washington State Law

By Patti Strand | Published: 05/8/2019

Washington State Senate Bill 5212, known and cited as the “Homes for Animal Heroes Act,” was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 29, 2019, and becomes effective July 28, 2019.


Animal Rights Extremism


The Use of Dogs in Animal-Based Research: The Rest of the Story

By | Published: 10/28/2021

We’ve spent several days gathering information we could share with our readers to enable them to understand a little more about a very complex subject.


Under the guise of “Saving Nemo,” Radical Activists Push Legislation to Eliminate the Aquarium Trade and Hobby.

By | Published: 01/10/2024

Radical activists opposed to keeping aquariums are pushing legislation that would end importing and fishing for aquarium fish. Dubbed the Saving NEMO Act, HR 6447 purports to prevent imports or collection of marine aquarium organisms…


Transparency

By Meagan Shetler | Published: 12/21/2017

This word is sadly sort of new to us in the industry, but we need to take it seriously.


Animal Rights vs Animal Welfare


Cosmetic Ear Cropping: An Open Letter

By Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MPH, NAIA Board Member | Published: 01/13/2020

The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia has a policy entitled “Cosmetic Ear Cropping of Dogs” which admonishes its members to cease ear-cropping surgery. This policy is the result of what some describe as a minority…


Who Do You Think Controls the Debate About Animal Welfare?

By Patti Strand | Published: 11/28/2018

Some say that money helps…


What is Animal Welfare and why is it important?

By Patti Strand | Published: 06/10/2014

Some people use the terms animal welfare and animal rights interchangeably, suggesting that they represent the same concerns, principles and practices. But the differences between the two are significant and irreconcilable.


Animal Sports


The 2023 Iditarod Is Here!

By | Published: 03/6/2023

The 2023 Iditarod launched on Sunday and will continue for the next two weeks…


Animal Welfare


NAIA 2024 Conference: Animal Experts Unite

By | Published: 08/10/2024

NAIA’s annual conference is in Texas this year! Mark your calendar for October 19-20, 2024


NAIA 2023 Conference: Preparing For The Looming Dog Shortage

By | Published: 04/6/2023

In 2023, the NAIA annual conference returns to Portland, Oregon and YOU are invited!


NAIA Leads Appeal for Healthy Dog Import Resources for USDA

By | Published: 04/12/2022

Today, the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) was joined by nearly a dozen national animal health, veterinary, livestock, and pet stakeholder organizations urging Congress to protect pets, livestock, and U.S. public health…


Animals and Society


NAIA 2023 Conference: Preparing For The Looming Dog Shortage

By | Published: 04/6/2023

In 2023, the NAIA annual conference returns to Portland, Oregon and YOU are invited!


The 2023 Iditarod Is Here!

By | Published: 03/6/2023

The 2023 Iditarod launched on Sunday and will continue for the next two weeks…


CDC Extends Suspension of Dog Imports from Countries with High Rabies Prevalence 

By | Published: 02/2/2023

NAIA welcomes actions taken by the CDC to protect the public’s health against the reintroduction of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant into the United States.


Animals in Education & Entertainment


IS RODEO BRONC RIDING CRUEL?

By Emma Carpenter | Published: 01/16/2012

A myth is a powerful thing. Every time there is a slow news day or a rodeo returns to town, animal rights groups bring the debate over rodeo bronc riding and cruelty to the front again. The myth that rodeo bronc riding is cruel…


PROFESSIONAL RODEO HORSES ARE BRED TO BUCK

By Cindy Schonholtz | Published: 01/16/2012

As with any other industry or sport that utilizes animals, the sport of rodeo must continually educate the public about the care and handling of the livestock used in rodeos. Critics of rodeo often show many areas where they do…


ANIMAL ACTIVISTS TARGET CIRCUS

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 01/15/2012

Congressman Sam Farr wants to ban elephants in circuses. Mayor Paul Schell of Seattle, Washington, wants his city to go a bit further and ban all wild animal acts at city facilities, and Redmond, Washington, enacted a circus animal…


Book Reviews


“Your Pandemic Puppy” Helps Families Raise a Happy Pooch in the Age of Covid

By Administrator | Published: 12/20/2020

American families from coast to coast have been welcoming new canine companions into their lives at an unprecedented rate, making the most of their unexpected extra time at home…


Book Review: The Hijacking of the Humane Movement

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 02/16/2012

“The humane movement has been hijacked, radicalized, and rerouted. Started more than 100 years ago, it was traditionally concerned with the humane treatment of animals. In the last 20 years, however, it has been taken over…


SAVE OUR STRAYS: A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE DOG AND CAT POPULATION DILEMMAS

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 01/29/2012

For the past decade and more, national and local animal organizations have blamed puppy producers for euthanasias in shelters and promoted sterilization as the only way to decrease shelter deaths.


Canine Issues


Advisory: The Healthy Dog Importation Act (HDIA) HR 4239/S. 2597

By | Published: 07/27/2022

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) submitted comments to APHIS encouraging the agency to prioritize dog import oversight as part of its five-year plan.


“Your Pandemic Puppy” Helps Families Raise a Happy Pooch in the Age of Covid

By Administrator | Published: 12/20/2020

American families from coast to coast have been welcoming new canine companions into their lives at an unprecedented rate, making the most of their unexpected extra time at home…


USDA Releases Key Report on Canine Imports

By Patti Strand | Published: 08/26/2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a key report finding that over 1 million dogs are imported into the U.S. each year. And, of those one million, less than one percent are subject to thorough health screenings…


Farm and Ranch Almanac


IS RODEO BRONC RIDING CRUEL?

By Emma Carpenter | Published: 01/16/2012

A myth is a powerful thing. Every time there is a slow news day or a rodeo returns to town, animal rights groups bring the debate over rodeo bronc riding and cruelty to the front again. The myth that rodeo bronc riding is cruel…


Suffering to End Suffering: The Heroic Effort to Eradicate the North American Screwworm

By Dr. John Richard Schrock | Published: 01/16/2012

As science teachers, it is important for our students to understand that the biggest benefactors of agricultural and biomedical research with animals—are the animals themselves.


Slaughter Bill is Not in Best Interests of Horses

By Dennis Foster | Published: 01/16/2012

The slaughter of horses in the United States, one of the most controversial issues in the equine world, is an emotional issue that makes it very difficult to be pragmatic despite overwhelming evidence supporting its continuation.


Feline Issues


SFSPCA: Mandatory Cat Licensing:  Ill-conceived and Ill-advised

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 01/10/2012

The report begins with an indictment of the latest fad in animal control laws: The San Francisco SPCA has considered the various claims made for mandatory cat licensing legislation and has found little in the way of evidence - or…


NAIA WEIGHS IN ON FAA PROPOSAL FOR ANIMAL TRAVEL

By Patti Strand | Published: 12/8/2002

More than two years ago, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2000 that directed the Federal Aviation Administration to write rules for a reporting system to be used by airlines when animals escaped, were injured, or died…


Is Russia the New Czar of Kitten and Puppy Mills??

By Marva Marrow | Published: 01/8/2001

Val, a friend of mine, is a photographer’s representative for a celebrity photographer. She was recently on a photo shoot, and while chatting to the actor who was being photographed, he mentioned that he had an Oriental Shorthair…


From the Offices of NAIA


Summer 2013 Animal Policy Review

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 08/21/2013

The Animal Policy Review is a publication of the National Animal Interest Alliance dedicated to the analysis of legislation, regulations, and policies that affect animals and animal owners.


NAIA 2013 Conference: The Conversation Begins with You!

By | Published: 07/26/2013

Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, if your life revolves around animals, the NAIA 2013 conference is a must-attend event!


Raise Funds for NAIA through H&R Block’s Nonprofit Referral Program

By Patti Strand | Published: 01/8/2013

Nobody enjoys tax season, but this year, new clients to H&R Block can feel good knowing they supported NAIA!


Guest Editorial


NAIA Conferences


NAIA 2024 Conference: Animal Experts Unite

By | Published: 08/10/2024

NAIA’s annual conference is in Texas this year! Mark your calendar for October 19-20, 2024


NAIA 2023 Conference: Preparing For The Looming Dog Shortage

By | Published: 04/6/2023

In 2023, the NAIA annual conference returns to Portland, Oregon and YOU are invited!


Save the Date: NAIA 2018 Conference

By Patti Strand | Published: 06/13/2018

Uniting to Save Our Endangered Breeds


NAIA Events


Order Your Tickets to the NAIA 2019 Gala Today!

By Patti Strand | Published: 01/2/2019

NAIA cordially invites you!


Rescue


Advisory: The Healthy Dog Importation Act (HDIA) HR 4239/S. 2597

By | Published: 07/27/2022

The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) submitted comments to APHIS encouraging the agency to prioritize dog import oversight as part of its five-year plan.


Dangerous Dog Adoptions Back in the News

By Patti Strand | Published: 03/11/2020

The dangerous—sometimes deadly—practice of shelters adopting known dangerous dogs to the public is in the news again…


USDA Releases Key Report on Canine Imports

By Patti Strand | Published: 08/26/2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a key report finding that over 1 million dogs are imported into the U.S. each year. And, of those one million, less than one percent are subject to thorough health screenings…


Research Reports


The Little Girl Who Stumbled

By Robert Speth, PhD | Published: 02/12/2012

The animal rights movement’s effort to place the rights of animals above those of humans concerns me. A recent book, Rattling the Cage, by Stephen Wise argues that chimpanzees should be granted legal standing; in other words,…


A LOOK AT LAB ANIMAL MEDICINE

By Elizabeth Galloway | Published: 01/19/2012

Many articles in the popular press have attempted to justify animal research. Still more articles have been written in opposition to animal research, but few are by experienced technicians describing how animals are really used…


ANIMAL RESEARCH SAVES LIVES

By Patty Wood | Published: 01/13/2012

“I know I’ll walk again,” said Greg Mankle.


Shelter Issues


Dangerous Dog Adoptions Back in the News

By Patti Strand | Published: 03/11/2020

The dangerous—sometimes deadly—practice of shelters adopting known dangerous dogs to the public is in the news again…


More regulations needed for animal shelters and rescues

By | Published: 07/23/2017

Dog lovers, especially parents hoping to give their children a lesson in compassion, find it nearly impossible to resist the heart-wrenching television ads and graphic photos on social media urging them to save a shelter dog’s…


Dog Days in Sacramento

By Patti Strand | Published: 04/18/2017

With AB 485, California would outsource the supply of dogs available to consumers to the least regulated and poorest selection of dogs available.


Uncategorized


HB189 Fixes Ohio’s Dangerous Dog Law

By Patti Strand | Published: 01/9/2012

Update April 28, 2005: This bill has been sent to the Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee. Concerned dog owners need to contact their representative and the committee members below now.


THE DAY THE DOG “BLEW UP”

By Richard Simmonds, DVM, MS | Published: 01/7/2012

Following graduation from veterinary school, and my “coerced” entry on active duty with the Air Force (there was something in those days called the Draft), my first assignment was at a research laboratory in Fairbanks,…


A Tribute to a Remarkable Man – Captain Arthur J. Haggerty December 3, 1931 - July 3, 2006

By Diane Makkinney | Published: 01/7/2012

Our dogs and dog owners everywhere lost a tremendous advocate on July 3, 2006, when Captain Arthur J. Haggerty - also known as “The Captain” or just “Cap” to his friends - passed away from cancer at the age…


Veterinary Issues


Canine Respiratory Illness Unnerves Dog Owners – But Should It?

By | Published: 11/29/2023

Any dog owner who has watched TV, read a newspaper, or clicked on social media during the last few weeks is likely to be concerned about a new canine respiratory illness.


CDC Extends Suspension of Dog Imports from Countries with High Rabies Prevalence 

By | Published: 02/2/2023

NAIA welcomes actions taken by the CDC to protect the public’s health against the reintroduction of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant into the United States.


More Dog Importation in the News…

By Patti Strand | Published: 07/7/2020

NAIA broke the story in 2000 and has been raising awareness of the dangers posed by the mass-importation of unvetted dogs into the U.S. for two decades…


Wildlife Journal


Brazil Shortsightedly Proposes Zebra Pleco for CITES Appendix I Listing

By | Published: 11/14/2022

NAIA will be present at CITES CoP 2022 as an official NGO Observer. There, NAIA will advocate for the sustainable use of wildlife resource


Controversy Over Preserving the Diamondback Terrapin

By Administrator | Published: 12/21/2020

On December 16, 2020, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) held a commissioners meeting to discuss proposals, including pet ownership of certain reptiles…


Book Review: Playing God in Yellowstone by Alston Chase

By Norma Bennett Woolf | Published: 01/16/2012

A Harvest Book from Harcourt Brace & Company, New York;
393 pages, including a epilogue written three years after original publication
$14, trade paper


Wildlife Watch


Proposed CITES I Listing for Zebra Plecos Avoided

By | Published: 01/12/2023

While Brazil’s attempts to restrict trade in Zebra Plecos using the CITES appendices will be counterproductive for the conservation of the species, there are constructive regulatory changes that could be beneficial for wild…


Brazil Shortsightedly Proposes Zebra Pleco for CITES Appendix I Listing

By | Published: 11/14/2022

NAIA will be present at CITES CoP 2022 as an official NGO Observer. There, NAIA will advocate for the sustainable use of wildlife resource