Global Animal Rights & Plant-Based News
This page highlights animal rights and plant-based news from around the world, sharing key developments, victories, and urgent issues affecting animals today.
Animal Rights News Around the Globe
San Diego Padres Headed to Trial Over Allegations of Animal Cruelty Before Rodeo at Petco Park
A local news outlet reports that the San Diego Padres are headed to trial over allegations that rodeo events staged at Petco Park may constitute unlawful animal cruelty under California law. The story comes just days before the multi-day rodeo returns to the ballpark, fueling further debate and protest in the community.
Jane Goodall Became Guardian to Rescued Bear Before Her Death
Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall became the legal guardian of a moon bear rescued from 15+ years of abuse in Vietnam, exemplifying her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. The rescued bear now lives in sanctuary care as part of ongoing efforts to end bear bile farming.
California’s Proposition 12 Update
In early 2024, California fully implemented Proposition 12, a law that requires more humane living conditions for farm animals. This means products from animals kept in extreme confinement can no longer be sold in the state.
Cartagena, Colombia Replaces Horse Carriages with Electric Vehicles
Cartagena, a major Colombian tourist destination, sparked animal rights headlines in 2025 by replacing traditional horse-drawn carriages with electric carriages to improve animal welfare. The move followed years of protests by activists concerned that horses suffered from heat stress and exhaustion on city streets. While some carriage owners resist the transition, the leadership says modernizing tourism protects animals without harming local livelihoods.
Legal Rights for Bees in Peru
In a groundbreaking move in 2024, Peru granted legal rights to stingless bees in the Amazon, marking the first time insects have been legally recognized in this way. This law is designed to protect these essential pollinators from threats like deforestation and pesticides.
UK Ban on Live Boiling of Crustaceans
The United Kingdom announced plans in 2024 to ban the live boiling of lobsters and other crustaceans, recognizing that these animals can feel pain. This aligns with their Animal Welfare Act and represents a step forward in humane treatment.
Interpol’s Global Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown – Operation Thunder 2025
In late 2025, Interpol coordinated a massive global wildlife trafficking crackdown called Operation Thunder 2025, involving law enforcement, customs, and wildlife authorities from 134 countries. Over the course of the month-long operation, nearly 30,000 live animals were seized from illegal traffickers — including birds, reptiles, primates, and endangered species — and more than 1,000 suspects were identified. Authorities also intercepted huge quantities of illegal wildlife products and bushmeat, highlighting the vast scope and sophistication of criminal networks profiting from the illicit wildlife trade.
World Vegan Month 2025 Advances Global Solidarity & Education
In 2025, World Vegan Month brought together activists, nonprofits, plant-based food vendors, and compassionate communities worldwide to raise awareness about animal rights, plant-based living, and environmental justice. Events included major festivals (such as the San Francisco Vegan Festival), webinars with prominent activists, and public gatherings that celebrated vegan ethics while educating the public on how plant-based choices help reduce animal suffering and environmental harm.
Animal Welfare Protest in India Over Supreme Court Stray Dog Order
In January 2026, animal rights activists and veterinary professionals in Lucknow, India protested a Supreme Court order that would remove stray dogs from public areas. Protesters argued the ruling is impractical, violates animal welfare laws, and could endanger dogs unnecessarily. They’ve urged authorities to reinforce humane dog population control methods like “catch, neuter, vaccinate, and release” instead of forced removal.
PETA Scientists Push Non-Animal Toxicity Testing Forward in 2025
In 2025, scientists working with PETA scored significant wins in reducing animal testing in chemical safety evaluations. One high-profile victory involved halting a European government requirement for massive toxicity tests that would have killed hundreds of pregnant rats. These achievements reflect a growing global shift toward humane, animal-free laboratory testing methods and broader regulatory acceptance of such alternatives.
World Animal Protection: NYFW Fur-Free 2026 & Global Welfare Efforts
World Animal Protection reported several key developments in late 2025, including New York Fashion Week going fur-free and stronger protections at the CITES CoP20 for species like sloths and Galapagos iguanas. Their latest news also highlights ongoing animal welfare concerns at events like COP30, calls for ending live export disasters, and global protests targeting industrial agriculture’s impacts on animals and climate.
Animal Welfare Hero Tips for 2026
Experts and animal advocates are encouraging people in 2026 to make kinder choices for animals, ranging from simple actions like having a plant-based meal once a week to being conscious about reducing animal products in daily life. These small steps are presented as meaningful ways to reduce animal suffering and environmental impact in the year ahead.
PETA’s New Year 2026 Vegan Resolution Guide
For 2026, PETA is promoting veganism as a compassionate New Year’s resolution, showcasing the latest vegan foods, cruelty-free products, and lifestyle tips that make choosing a plant-based life easier and more accessible than ever.
Animal-Free Fashion’s Rapid Growth
The animal-free fashion movement has seen major progress, with 2025 noted as a milestone year in reducing the use of animal-derived materials. Consumer demand, regulatory pressure, and innovation in cruelty-free materials are pushing major brands and platforms toward fully animal-free production methods.
Animal Rights Wins Around the World
Recent animal rights victories include Poland banning fur farming, West Hollywood restricting live animal sales in pet stores, and California strengthening laws on pet treatment — all part of broader progress for animal protection in 2025.
The Netherlands Bans Fireworks to Protect Animals
As of January 1, 2026, the Netherlands officially banned private consumer fireworks nationwide, citing the severe stress, injuries, and fatalities fireworks cause to companion animals, wildlife, and farmed animals each year. Animal welfare groups welcomed the move as a major step forward, noting that animals often suffer panic responses, disorientation, and long-term trauma during fireworks celebrations.
New Protest in India Over Stray Dog Order
On January 5, 2026, activists in Lucknow formed a human chain protest against a Supreme Court order requiring stray dogs to be removed from public spaces. They argue humane solutions like neuter-vaccinate-release are more ethical and effective than displacement.
Plant-Based Pet Food Gains Popularity
A Washington Post profile found that after feeding her dog a vegan kibble diet for a year, a pet owner decided to continue the plant-based diet because of its health benefits and lower environmental impact. Nutrition experts say modern vegan pet foods can be complete and balanced for dogs when properly formulated.
World Vegan Month Highlights Worldwide Action
World Vegan Month events in 2025 brought communities together through festivals, educational gatherings, and outreach to raise awareness about veganism and animal rights, emphasizing ethics, compassion, and environmental justice globally.
U.K. Live Export Ban for Certain Livestock
The United Kingdom has passed the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024, making it illegal to export certain live farm animals from Great Britain for slaughter — a major step toward protecting livestock from stress and cruelty during long transport.
Florida Expands Animal Cruelty Laws
Florida has enacted Dexter’s Law and Trooper’s Law, which increase penalties for animal abuse, create a public registry of abusers, and make neglect during natural disasters a felony — strengthening protections for companion animals.
Brazil Cracks Down on Illegal Wildlife Breeding Rings
In 2025, Brazilian federal authorities dismantled multiple illegal wildlife breeding operations responsible for trafficking exotic birds, reptiles, and primates both domestically and internationally. The investigation uncovered extensive abuse, poor living conditions, and forged permits, highlighting how wildlife trafficking continues to threaten biodiversity across South America.
Japan Faces Growing Pressure to End Dolphin Captivity Programs
Animal rights organizations intensified pressure on Japan in 2025 to phase out dolphin captivity and marine park breeding programs, citing new scientific evidence on dolphin intelligence and psychological suffering. Public opinion has begun shifting, especially among younger generations, prompting renewed debate about marine entertainment ethics.
European Union Advances Ban on Caged Farming Systems
The European Union took formal steps toward eliminating caged farming for hens, pigs, and rabbits after sustained public pressure and a successful citizens’ initiative. The proposal aims to transition farms toward cage-free systems while supporting farmers financially during the shift.
Chile Expands Legal Protections for Street Animals
Chile strengthened national laws in 2025 to improve protections for street dogs and cats, increasing penalties for abandonment and funding nationwide spay-and-neuter programs. The reform reflects growing recognition of animal welfare as a public responsibility rather than a private issue.
Iceland Reports Sharp Decline in Whale Hunting Activity
In 2025, Icelandic authorities confirmed a significant reduction in commercial whale hunting, driven by declining demand, stricter regulations, and increased scrutiny from international observers. Conservation groups say the downturn signals a possible long-term shift away from whaling practices.
India Expands Elephant Corridor Protections
India announced new protected wildlife corridors in 2024 to reduce deadly human-elephant conflicts, preserving migration routes disrupted by development. Conservationists say the move represents one of the most ambitious large-mammal protection efforts in recent years.
U.S. States Expand Cosmetic Animal Testing Bans
Several U.S. states passed new legislation in 2024 and 2025 prohibiting the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, joining a growing global movement toward cruelty-free product standards. Advocates say the laws accelerate innovation in non-animal testing methods.
African Nations Coordinate Anti-Poaching Technology Efforts
In 2025, multiple African countries launched a shared wildlife-protection initiative using drones, GPS tracking, and AI surveillance to combat poaching of elephants, rhinos, and big cats. Early reports show a measurable decline in illegal hunting in monitored regions.
Plant-Based Meat Sales Rise Despite Food Industry Slowdown
Despite broader food market challenges, plant-based meat sales grew steadily in 2025, driven by improved taste, affordability, and consumer concern for animals and climate impact. Analysts say the category is stabilizing as a long-term alternative rather than a trend.
New Zealand Recognizes Animal Welfare in Disaster Planning
New Zealand updated its emergency response policies in 2025 to formally include animals in evacuation and shelter planning during natural disasters. The change follows lessons learned from recent floods and wildfires that left many animals stranded or abandoned.
Italy Introduces Harsher Penalties for Animal Abuse Crimes
In early 2026, Italy enacted strengthened animal protection laws that significantly increase prison sentences and fines for serious animal abuse and trafficking offenses. The reform recognizes animals as sentient beings under Italian law and aims to deter organized cruelty, illegal breeding, and neglect through tougher enforcement and expanded legal accountability.