An investigation has been opened in Italy after footage of a hunting trip the president’s son took in Venice lagoon appeared online.

An Italian magistrate has reportedly opened an investigation into allegations that President Trump’s son shot a protected duck during a hunting trip in the Venice lagoon.

The inquiry will determine whether Donald Trump Jr, 47, illegally shot an orange plumed Ruddy Shelduck in December, La Nuova Venezia newspaper said on Tuesday.

A local magistrate launched the investigation after a legal complaint was made on February 9 by the regional Green politician Andrea Zanoni, who based his allegation on a video of Trump Jr’s trip.

Full story:

https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/donald-trump-jnr-rare-duck-italy-investigation-c7qgl80bb

The Holly Springs Department of Animal Control in North Carolina received a concerning report on February 13 regarding a bald eagle who had been struck by a vehicle and exhibited signs of injury, according to CBS17.

When Lukas Howard, the Animal Control Supervisor, arrived at the scene to stabilize and assess the eagle, he found that the eagle needed additional treatment and contacted Holly’s Nest Animal Rescue.

With support from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, they managed to secure the bird until Byron Wortham, a wildlife rehabilitator, showed up.

The eagle’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he is expected to fully recover after treatment and be returned to the wild.

Full story:

https://ladyfreethinker.org/bald-eagle-hit-by-car-is-rescued-and-recovering/?

Mac and his best friend Winston, two goats raised through the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, were initially intended for slaughter but were spared when the student caring for them had a shift in perspective and refused to allow them to be killed. Instead of auctioning them for their meat, their guardian reached out to Farm Animal Refuge in Campo, CA and found them a safe and loving home in 2021.

Full story:

https://ladyfreethinker.org/rescued-goats-enjoy-new-pasture-and-barn-thanks-to-lady-freethinker/?

Two French environmentalist organisations, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Défense des Milieux Aquatiques (DMA), have taken the French Government to court over allowing the destructive bottom trawling fishing in Natura 2000 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The plaintiffs allege that this practice is at odds with biodiversity conservation and France’s legal commitments to protecting marine ecosystems. The environmentalists are taking the case to France’s highest court, the Conseil d’Etat.

Raphaelle Jeannel, senior lawyer at Huglo Lepage Avocats, the legal firm heading up the action, said, “Today the preservation of marine biodiversity is a matter of law, and the State must ensure it is effectively enforced.”

Full story:

https://veganfta.com/2025/02/19/french-government-prosecuted-over-bottom-trawling-protected-areas/

According to Australian researchers, some people can tell if captive chickens are happy or frustrated simply from the sound of their calls, so listening to the birds could be used to detect animal welfare problems — even if they are normally unhappy and should not be kept captive anyway. 

The study, titled “Humans can identify reward-related call types of chickens”, was published in the Royal Society Open Science about a year ago.

In the study, audio recordings of hens were played to nearly 200 volunteers, and it found that 69% could tell the difference between birds that were happy about an imminent treat and those that were annoyed that no such reward was forthcoming.

Joerg Henning, a professor in veterinary epidemiology at the University of Queensland and senior author on the study, said to The Guardian: “People involved in chicken husbandry can identify the emotional state of the birds they look after, even if they do not have prior experience.”

Full story:

https://veganfta.com/2025/02/20/some-humans-can-identify-whether-chickens-are-happy-or-frustrated-by-listening-to-their-calls/

The UK is witnessing a significant shift towards plant-based eating, with new research from The Vegan Society highlighting changing attitudes towards food and sustainability. The study reveals that more people are embracing plant-based diets, driven by health concerns, ethical considerations, and environmental awareness.

One of the key findings of the research is the stark difference between genders when it comes to adopting plant-based lifestyles. Women are significantly more likely than men to identify as vegan or plant-based, reflecting broader trends in dietary choices and ethical consumption. The study also found that younger generations, particularly those aged 16-44, are twice as likely to follow a plant-based diet compared to older age groups. This shift suggests that younger people are increasingly mindful of how their food choices impact their health, animals, and the planet.

Full story:

https://www.jvs.org.uk/2025/02/14/nibs-14-february-2025-new-research-shows-growing-shift-towards-plant-based-eating-in-the-uk/

Bringing you the latest news from the world of veganism: Episode 40: February 2025 Welcome to the Vegan News Minisode, brought to you by leading vegan charity, Viva! Presenters Faye and Erin are here with the latest updates on plant-based lifestyles, food and animal campaign news. In this episode, they cover: - Viva!'s recognition at the 2024 Vegfest Awards.  - A recent bird flu (H5N1) outbreak, which has been affecting cats - some falling ill or dying after eating contaminated raw pet food.  - Naturalist and TV personality Chris Packham's criticism of the UK's Let's Eat Balanced campaign, calling it "dangerous propaganda."  - The new documentary Food for Thought. - A new c-label for cultivated meat!  Stay tuned for the latest in vegan news!

Full story:

https://www.audacy.com/podcast/viva-vegan-podcast-bc25e/episodes/40-vegan-news-minisode-february-2025-afd64

As Veganuary 2025 unfolds, its impact has grown far beyond plant-based meals. It is now encompassing the beauty industry in a remarkable way. Launched in 2014 as a challenge to encourage people to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the month of January, Veganuary has since evolved into a global phenomenon. Initially focused on promoting dietary changes, the initiative quickly gained traction as a platform for exploring ethical living. It has been inspiring industries like fashion and beauty to embrace cruelty-free and sustainable practices.

This year, the movement’s expansion into beauty has sparked a surge in vegan skincare that aligns seamlessly with the principles of ethical living and sustainability. This evolution reflects a broader shift in consumer priorities. People increasingly seek products that are not only kind to animals but also environmentally conscious. The rise of vegan beauty signifies a transformative moment for the industry. It provides conscious consumers with an opportunity to merge their values with their self-care routines.

Full story:

https://aesthetics.today/beauty/veganuary-2025-spotlight-vegan-beauty

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had suggested the famed weather-forecasting rodent be allowed to retire and replace him with a vegan "weather reveal" cake.

In its letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel, the non-profit animal rights group offered to annually deliver a vegan cake to Punxsutawney Phil's home of Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania each Groundhog Day, if the Phil and family are allowed to "retire to a reputable sanctuary," PETA said in a news release.

The "weather reveal" dessert is a play on the gender reveal cake, except blue on the inside of the cake would signify six more weeks of winter and pink would indicate an early spring, the group said.

The governor fired back Friday with the response, "Come and take it," in a post on X, replying to a New York Post story about PETA's proposal.

Full story:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/01/groundhog-day-2025-peta-proposal-josh-shapiro-response/78131893007/

The Afro-Vegan Society promotes a plant-based diet for personal health and social justice in February.

“I grew up in the projects in Baltimore,” Brenda Sanders said. “All around me, I saw that everybody was just dropping like flies at a certain age.

“We were the statistics that everybody talks about when they talk about the health impacts of the standard American diet and food deserts.” 

Sanders, who now lives in the Pigtown area, three miles from the Cherry Hill Homes housing development where she grew up, said that seeing people suffering from poor health — and the acceptance of that suffering — was difficult for her. Her own mother died at 69 of heart disease.

The health of Black Americans is more likely to be negatively affected by nonmedical factors such as lack of safe housing, transportation and education, pollution, racism and violence, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Full story:

https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2025/02/01/veguary-black-veganism-afro-vegan-society/stories/202501240048

A group of friends from the Washington, D.C. area were on their way home from a Kansas hunting trip when Flight 5342 crashed on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Friends and family said that seven of the 67 people who were killed when an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter were returning to their Maryland homes from a trip to hunt waterfowl, including ducks, geese and pheasants, in Kansas, according to The Wichita Eagle.

The men were identified as Jesse Pitcher, 30; Michael Stovall, 40; Steve Johnson, 45; Alexander Huffman, 34; Charles McDaniel, 44; Jonathan Boyd, 40; and 38-year-old Tommy Clagett, per the Eagle.

They had embarked on a hunt with a group of 10 people to travel to Great Bend, located about 100 miles outside of Wichita.

Full story:

https://people.com/group-of-7-dc-men-who-died-in-plane-crash-were-returning-from-kansas-hunting-trip-8784186

With 2024 behind us, the Animal Agriculture Alliance is looking ahead at trends to be prepared for in the new year from the animal rights movement. These groups, which bring in more than $800 million in income annually, have a large budget to put towards their mission of eliminating animal agriculture. While each group shares the same overarching goal, their methods to achieve that goal vary.

In 2024, the Alliance shared insights from several animal rights conferences on upcoming campaigns and tactics to be aware from within the movement. These conferences included the Humane Society of the United States’ Taking Action for Animals 

Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Law Conference, the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit, and The Reducetarian Summit. 

Full story:

https://hoards.com/blog-36157-animal-trends-to-look-out-for-in-2025.htmlConference, 

The popular vegan restaurant Unity Diner located in the Spitalfields area of East London, UK, founded in 2018 by the famous vegan activist Ed Winters (mostly known as Earthling Ed), will be permanently closing its doors from the 1st of February 2025. 

According to a social media post from the restaurant, rising costs experienced since COVID-19 have forced it to shut its doors for good. In an Instagram announcement, Earthling Ed wrote, “Restaurant closures are running at their highest level in more than a decade. A total of 1,409 shut their doors in the year ending September 2024, up from 1,180 in the 12 months before. The situation for hospitality in the UK at the moment is beyond anything we could have expected. We’re proud to have battled through it for so long.”

Full story:

https://veganfta.com/2025/01/07/earthling-eds-unity-diner-restaurant-to-close-in-february-2025/

With 2024 being the hottest year on record to date, researchers across the globe are addressing the temperature rise by rethinking our food systems and encouraging the switch to a plant-based diet.

For the first time in history, the average global temperature rose to 1.6C above preindustrial levels, exceeding the 1.5C vital to preventing accelerating climate change. The effects of climate change are now more visible than ever on every continent.

A team of researchers have found that up to a third of global greenhouse gas production to date can be attributed to animal agriculture and food systems. Yet, most climate change solutions neglect the impact of food systems. 

Their study, ‘Solving Climate Change Requires Changing Our Food Systems,’ proposes that the pressing nature of irreversible climate change effects requires rethinking our food systems.

Full story:

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/moving-to-a-plant-based-diet-can-mitigate-climate-change

Past studies show that eating processed meats — such as hot dogs, sausages, salami, and bacon — can increase a person’s risk for several health issues, including type 2 diabetes, heart diseaseTrusted Source, and cancersTrusted Source such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Previous research has also shown a potential correlation between consuming processed meats and a heightened risk for neurological conditions such as dementia and cognitive decline.

Now, scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston add to this body of research with a new study that found people who eat more processed red meat have a greater risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia than those who eat very little red meat.

Full story:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-eating-more-processed-red-meat-increase-dementia-risk

In an interview with Metal Magnitude at last month's Metal Hall Of Fame in Anaheim, California, ARCH ENEMY singer Alissa White-Gluz, who is vegan and straight edge, was asked if it's difficult for her to maintain her lifestyle while she is on tour. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been touring for about 20 years and I've been vegan for 25 years and vegetarian before that, so I've definitely seen it become way easier. I've done it all across the world, with language barriers and cultural barriers and lack of time or money or transportation, and I'm still able to do it. So I have to say it is totally possible.

Full story:

https://blabbermouth.net/news/arch-enemys-alissa-white-gluz-on-touring-the-world-on-a-vegan-diet-it-is-totally-possible

As flames roared into communities on all sides of Los Angeles last week, and tens of thousands of residents rushed to evacuate, trailers across southern California were being hitched and trucks fueled. A network of volunteers was preparing to descend on the fire zones, ready to risk it all to save pets and livestock in need.

In the rural enclaves tucked close to the canyons most prime to burn, scores of animals – horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and even emus among them – were in danger as the fast-moving fires swept closer. Some had been left behind during chaotic evacuations. Others required large trailers or a gentle hand to calmly coax them through the terror caused by howling winds, ashen air and the very strangers desperately trying to get them to safety.

Full story:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/14/california-los-angeles-wildfire-animal-rescue

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Local animal shelters are calling on the community to help provide temporary and permanent homes for pets displaced by the wildfires sweeping through Southern California.

LA Animal Services and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control are offering fee-waived adoptions and urging residents to foster pets to ease 

overcrowding in shelters.

The fires have left countless pets separated from their families or in need of immediate shelter, officials said. “By fostering, adopting, or helping to reunite lost pets with their families, we can provide some relief to the many animals who are affected by these fires,” said Annette Ramirez, interim general manager of LA Animal Services.

Full Story:

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/fosters-and-adopters-urgently-needed-for-pets-displaced-by-l-a-wildfires/

Welcome to the 2025 VegNews Veggie Awards—the largest survey (and celebration) of vegan products, people, and places in the world with 40 categories and 465 nominees! 

From the best dairy-free milk, egg-free eggs, and plant-based bacon to your favorite celebs, athletes, and social media personalities—it’s up to you to decide the best of the best in all-things vegan in our annual reader poll. 

Veggie Award winners will be revealed in the highly anticipated Best of Vegan Issue of VegNews Magazine (hitting newsstands nationwide April 1), and all voters will be automatically entered to win one of six incredible vegan prizes valued at more than $18,000—check ‘em out below!

To vote:

https://vegnews.com/veggie-awards-2025

Veganuary invites you to start the new year by embracing plant-based living for the month of January—and beyond! This global movement, established in 2014, has inspired millions to explore veganism with free resources like meal plans, recipes, a celebrity cookbook, and coaching emails to make the transition seamless and fun.

Full story:

https://vegoutmag.com/news/veganuary-2025/

From cats and birds to tortoises and horses, a network of rescue groups is caring for animals affected by wildfires still burning throughout the Los Angeles area. But all these pet evacuees need space. To make room at kennels, a multi-state operation is under way to transport adoptable pets to other states. 

Animal rescue groups are moving hundreds of dogs and cats out of fire-devastated Southern California to relieve the local animal shelters overwhelmed by temporarily housing the pets of evacuees.

Full story:

https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/01/15/g-s1-42497/california-wildfires-animal-shelters

LAist relies on reader donations to power our nonprofit newsroom's coverage of wildfire and breaking news. Support LAist by giving now.

The L.A. area fires that have destroyed homes have also burned through thousands of acres of wildland that’s home to bears, mountain lions, squirrels and other animals. 

Wildlife rehab centers across Southern California are already taking in injured animals — and people are likely to come across more of them as they're allowed back into evacuated areas.

Full story:

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/la-fires-injured-wild-animals-what-to-do

To me, hope is everything. It can help us envision a brighter future in our darkest hours. But as I’m reading and watching stories about the fires consuming the Los Angeles area, I feel gutted—sometimes hopeless—about what seems like never-ending devastation.

Like so many of you, FAAS has been wanting to offer our services, to help in any way we can. No one has any idea how many thousands of pets are missing, injured, or worse. Pasadena Humane alone has taken in more than 400 animals since the fires began. Search-and-rescue teams continue to find beloved cats, dogs, and other animals.

Full story:

https://alamedapost.com/op-ed/three-ways-help-faas-help-animals-los-angeles-fire-disaster/

PACIFIC PALISADES – Krissy Simmel stopped her Jeep at an intersection inside this fire-scorched neighborhood and lowered the window when she saw a military police officer.

“Were animals rescued today?’’ she asked.

“Just a lady with some spiders,’’ the officer replied. “I’m serious.’’

The wildfires of Los Angeles have killed at least 24 people, destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures and triggered something else: a massive pet-rescue effort.

The rescued include untold cats and dogs, goats and fish, and, according to the officer, Army reservist Jimmy Garcia, on Monday in the Pacific Palisades, arachnids.

Full Story:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/15/pet-rescue-la-fires/77687689007/

The trailers arrived all at once, carrying hundreds of horses fleeing the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles.  Some horses came solo, others in trailers packed with fellow animals. Many had their owners, but others arrived alone, brought  in by their rescuers or animal control. Pigs, donkeys and miniature horses followed. 

Within 24 hours, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center had been transformed into a modern-day Noah's Ark.  Over the last week, it has sheltered hundreds of animals from the disaster as part of its official role as one of the city's large animal shelters. The facility tucked in the shadow of Griffith Park, has taken in more thank 200 houses, on top of the roughly 500 already living there. 

Full story:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - A dog whose animal cruelty case touched hearts when she was found a decade ago with her muzzle wrapped in electrical tape so tight it cut off circulation to part of her tongue has died, WCSC reports.

Caitlyn, an 11-year-old Staffordshire terrier mix, died Sunday after a brief bout of cancer, according to a Facebook post by the Charleston Animal Society.

“She suddenly became ill in the last week and was diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive cancer. As was her nature, she fought until the end,” read the post, quoting the family who adopted the dog after the animal cruelty case ended.

Full story:

https://www.kktv.com/2025/01/15/dog-found-with-muzzle-wrapped-electrical-tape-heartbreaking-animal-cruelty-case-dies-decade-later/

 RUTHERFORD COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — On Saturday, Dec. 28, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office served a criminal summons to Kevin Gonzalez, 30, for Instigating or promoting cruelty to animals, after deputies responded to a call from a neighbor about an allegation of animal cruelty.

Regina Doty said she discovered the puppies malnourished and neglected. Doty made the initial call and she said both law enforcement and animal control failed to investigate.

Full story:

https://krdo.com/cnn-regional/2025/01/16/residents-demand-overhaul-of-animal-control-after-cruelty-allegations/

A dog and her four newborn puppies have been found abandoned on the side of a highway close to the LA wildfires.

Over the past few days, the world has watched as devastating wildfires have laid waste to countless homes across the Los Angeles area. At least 24 people are confirmed to have died since the blazes began, with the potentially more casualties to come.

Though it is almost impossible to know the number of animals and pets that might have fallen victim to the fires, what's almost certain is that Taylor the dog and her litter of 6-day-old puppies would have been among those to perish were it not for the fateful intervention of a passerby.

Kaitlyn Morris, social media manager at the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) animal rescue, told Newsweek about the circumstances that led to the dogs ending up there.

Full story:

https://www.newsweek.com/dogs-puppies-dumped-highway-middle-la-fires-deserved-better-2014775

“Rodeo returns” pro-con essays (Jan. 3): 

The opposing opinions do not have equal weight. Amit Dhuleshia represents the rights of animals, who cannot speak or consent to their parts in these events. The men from the Rodeo Alliance have a financial stake in conducting rodeos.

I’ve watched rodeo videos aghast as calves are terrorized and brutalized. We’ve all been raised in cultures in which certain practices become traditions. What was acceptable even 50 years ago is spurned in the 21st century. 

Americans have banned traditional dogfighting and cockfighting countrywide. Those heinous practices were part of American culture for hundreds of years. Many men earned money through breeding and betting. Making money is not a sound reason for continuing any practice!

As we enter 2025, we at the World Federation for Animals (WFA) are dedicated to strengthening global animal protection efforts and demonstrating how animal welfare is central to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

This year, we’ll focus on critical international policy processes, providing guidance for sustainable practices, and growing our global movement to protect animals and the environment.

Full Story:

https://wfa.org/advancing-animal-welfare-for-a-healthier-planet-in-2025/

After the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, wished every MP and the entire country “a cruelty-free Christmas” in December, the time has come for Labour to demonstrate concrete progress towards its manifesto commitment to develop a roadmap for the phase-out of animal testing.

The roadmap, which needs an ambitious timeframe, clear milestones and achievable goals, is due to be led by Lord Patrick , Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation. 

While Cruelty Free International has been given strong indication by the government that they are engaged in cross-departmental efforts to deliver the manifesto commitment, the organisation hopes that 2025 will be the year that concrete proposals and clear deliverables will be shared with civil society and the wider public.

Full Story:

https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/cruelty-free-international-calls-2025-turning-point-animal-testing

A series of new wildlife crossings in North Carolina are set to help protect a critically endangered species – the red wolf – from a significant threat, according to local news.

Wild red wolves were once common in the South Central and Eastern US but have been driven to the brink of extinction by human activity. There are only about 16 red wolves left in the wild, making them “the world’s most endangered wolf,” according to US Fish & Wildlife Service. Busy roads have fragmented their habitat – and collisions with cars are now one of the most significant threats to their survival.

To help save this rare wolf from extinction, the Federal Highway Administration has announced that 13 new wildlife underpasses will be built under a highway that intersects crucial red wolf habitat.

Full Story:

https://ladyfreethinker.org/new-wildlife-crossings-may-help-save-the-worlds-most-endangered-wolf/?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - 

One person is detained after an animal cruelty complaint on Monday that also resulted in the seizure of 24 dogs. The city shelter is now pleading for adopters to come forward after this influx.

At 10:40 a.m., Memphis police officers and Memphis Animal Services (MAS) responded to an animal cruelty complaint on Staten Avenue.

MAS interim director Mary Claire Borys says they are investigating whether or not the dogs found on the property had appropriate shelter in compliance with the city’s ordinance.

Full story:

https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/01/13/1-detained-after-animal-cruelty-complaint-mas-takes-24-dogs-investigation/

Behind the counter at a San Francisco seafood market, a worker picks up a yellow mallet and proceeds to bludgeon a live turtle before hacking into its shell with a meat cleaver. Its legs flinch as the blade strikes.

Video from live-animal shops shows rubber-smocked employees beheading frogs without stunning them first. The grainy footage shows dead fish floating in tanks alongside others that look like they’re dying, conscious frogs getting stuffed into a plastic bag, fish gasping on ice.

Full story:

 https://sfstandard.com/2025/01/13/live-animal-markets-violations-san-francisco/

Each new year, as we set off into the unknown of what lies ahead, I like to take time both personally and professionally to reflect on the past year and think about the changes I’d like to see in the new one.  

I take an honest account of my accomplishments, my challenges, the areas that I need to work on, and my intentions for the future. It’s how I start every new year and this time, I’d like to share my reflections with you.

Full story:

https://www.bideawee.org/news/committing-to-a-better-2025-for-animals/

Every day of every year, we take meaningful action to create a better world for animals. In the U.S., our State Affairs team works across the country to help protect animals in a variety of ways. 

One of the most important involves partnering with elected officials, law enforcement agencies, individual advocates and other parties to ensure that animal welfare legislation is put into place and then properly enforced.  

Full story:

https://www.humanesociety.org/blog/good-news-to-start-2025