Georgia Pet Coalition, Inc.

06/09/2026

Three U.S. Representatives from Georgia voted NO (in committee) to add an amendment to the Build America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) that would prohibit the export of American horses for slaughter for human consumption. The amendment language contains key provisions of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. Fortunately, the amendment passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now advances to the full House of Representatives. The amendment would also ban the use of dangerous double-decker trailers to transport horses.

The following U.S. Representatives from Georgia voted NO on the amendment to safeguard horses from being exported to slaughterhouses:
Rep. Mike Collins (10th Congressional District)
Rep. Clay Fuller (14th Congressional District)
Rep. Hank Johnson (4th Congressional District)

Note. Since his election in 2023, Rep. Mike Collins has voted NO on several animal protection bills.

https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/victory-for-horses-as-anti-horse-slaughter-language-adopted-in-highway-bill/?ms=CHE-20260605-Blog-Monthly-Update-CUSTOM-Wayne-Pacelle-D&emci=f64a91cc-3161-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&emdi=5a4ca3d4-3161-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&ceid=5905504&fbclid=IwY2xjawSTu7ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF1Nm5oSXBnY3RlRGRoU1NMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk0epPU2r-lsqkPlz3tSl6SLZvbBPszAlqh8dF1uvH-Hb6FuTOCdlx8AyXPt_aem_88bY4dxQ0LbN_dqhAgFNag

Bipartisan Van Drew–Titus amendment in Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would end export of American horses for slaughter and ban cruel double-decker transport

06/08/2026

Interested in Animal Welfare, Advocacy, or a Career in Law?

On June 10, Claudine Wilkins, former animal cruelty prosecutor, attorney, and one of Georgia's leading voices in animal law, will share insights about her career as an Animal Cruelty Prosecutor.

This informative online session will explore:

✅ How animal cruelty cases are investigated and prosecuted
✅ How advocacy influences laws and public policy
✅ Career opportunities at the intersection of law and animal welfare
✅ Real-world insights from an experienced animal law professional

Whether you're a student considering a legal career, interested in animal welfare, or simply curious about how laws protect animals, this is a unique opportunity to learn from an expert and ask questions.

📅 June 10
🕧 12:30 PM
💻 Zoom

To receive the Zoom link or learn more, contact:
📧 [email protected]

To learn more about Claudine, please go to https://www.theanimalprotectionsociety.org/about

GA Pet Coalition is proud to support educational opportunities that inspire the next generation of animal advocates and legal professionals.

Please share this invitation with students, future attorneys, animal advocates, and anyone interested in making a difference for animals through the legal system.

06/05/2026

Federal Bill Would Create Federal Database of Felony Animal Cruelty Offenders
"H.R. 9078, the “Law Enforcement Animal Safety and Harm Reporting Act of 2026” or the “LEASH Act of 2026,” would require the U.S. Department of Justice to establish a standardized, publicly accessible database of felony animal cruelty offenders and add their identities to the state crime reporting standards required of states that participate in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with funding necessary to support personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings. The bill was introduced by Representative Greg Steube and was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary." (Summary from Brooks Animal Law Digest)

H.R. 9078 was introduced on May 29, 2026. For more info:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9078/text

06/02/2026

The HELP Spay/Neuter Clinic teamed up with Butts Mutts, United Spay Alliance, GA Pet Coalition, and GVMA on May 30 to host Georgia’s 7th surgical training for veterinarians in HQHVSN techniques. Expert surgeon instructors, Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Ellard and Dr. Katherine Haines, provided didactic and hands-on instruction to five licensed veterinarians on how to safely and efficiently spay and neuter 23 shelter dogs who are now ready for adoption.

Participating vet trainees received 8 continuing education units from the GVMA (Georgia Veterinary Medical Association).

By empowering our existing pool of veterinarians with HQHVSN techniques at a training offered locally, these initiatives aim to save lives by reducing the enormous backlog of spay/neuter surgeries in our state.

Many thanks to Cindy Leopard, Executive Director of the HELP Spay/Neuter Clinic in Newnan who made this successful collaboration possible. A special note of gratitude is also extended to Butts Mutts who provided the funding through a generous donor, and to Georgia’s Second Lady, Jan Jones, for working the entire day at the clinic and assisting with dogs in the recovery area, including trimming their toenails!

NOTE. The HELP Clinic currently serves the following counties:
Butts, Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Harris, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson.

05/28/2026

North Carolina: Duke’s Rescue Act (HB 657), introduced in 2025, would establish statewide standards of care for dogs and cats, including requirements for food, water, shelter, adequate space, exercise, and veterinary care. The bill would also prohibit tethering dogs outdoors during extreme weather conditions, including temperatures above 85 degrees or below 32 degrees, as well as during hurricanes and other severe weather events.

Photo credit: Abandoned dog, Charlotte, NC. The Charlotte Observer (Feb. 3, 2026)

Bill draft (2025-2026):
https://ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H657v1.pdf

For more info:
https://www.cbs17.com/news/capitol-report/bipartisan-nc-bill-would-set-statewide-standards-for-dog-tethering-pet-care/

05/26/2026

05/23/2026

FREE WEBINAR: Paws & Policy: 2026 Legislative Trends Every Shelter Should Know, June 9th, 3-4pm (1 CAWA CE credit).
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify key 2026 legislative trends impacting animal shelters and animal welfare organizations across the United States.
2. Describe current policy developments related to pets and housing, access to veterinary care, and other emerging issues affecting shelters and communities.
3. Recognize how policy priorities and advocacy approaches are evolving across different political and geographic landscapes.
4. Explain opportunities for animal welfare professionals and organizations to engage in advocacy and policy conversations within their communities.

Join us on June 9 for Paws & Policy, a national policy update designed specifically for animal shelters. We will cover key legislative developments from the 2026 sessions, focusing on the issues that directly impact animal shelters and the communities they serve.This session will highlight policy tr...

05/21/2026

"Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 559, which creates new animal cruelty offenses and requires courts to order minors who commit acts of animal cruelty to undergo psychological evaluation and receive counseling and treatment. The new offenses involve causing or enticing a minor to: commit animal cruelty, fight with animals, bait animals, and commit sexual activities with animals. Further, the law creates an offense for non-minors committing those listed actions in the presence of a minor. The law also increases the maximum civil penalties authorized for county or municipal ordinances relating to animal control or cruelty and requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website specific information relating to anyone convicted of specified animal cruelty offenses, which functions like an offender database."
Excerpt from: Brooks Animal Law Digest

05/16/2026

24 RACEHORSES DIED in 2025 at Laurel Park, Maryland--site of today's Preakness. The injuries and medical conditions that led to their deaths are documented in this blog. The photos reveal the real tragedies behind the TV glamour of horseracing.

Ahead of today's Preakness Stakes, the 27 (disclosed) kills at Maryland tracks last year: Trophy Boy, Jan 14, Laurel S "Showed signs of illness Dec 26.

05/15/2026

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2026/05/14/jose-ortiz-irad-ortiz-jr-edwin-diaz-illegal-cockfighting/90046603007/

Photos and videos on social media link jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. to illegal cockfighting. The brothers are set to ride in the Preakness.