The Doggerie

06/21/2026

President Trump signed the PACT Act, making severe animal mistreatment a federal offense in the United States.

A major animal welfare measure became federal law in November 2019 when President Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and damaged (PACT) Act. The legislation received strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Supporters said the law addressed an important gap in federal protections and strengthened efforts to improve animal welfare.

References:
BBC News: Donald Trump Signs Animal Cruelty Bill Into Federal Law.
Reuters: Trump Signs Bipartisan Animal Protection Legislation.
CNN: PACT Act Expands Federal Enforcement Against Severe Animal Mistreatment.

06/13/2026

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9pd4d3m5ko

Pet owners have historically been advised they should treat cats and dogs as a preventative measure every month.

05/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B1sbEk59i/?mibextid=wwXIfr

New peer-reviewed study shows 100% of bird nests tested contained residues of flea and tick chemicals from pets. These chemicals were found not just in nest lining made from treated pet fur, but also in eggs and dead chicks. Researchers also observed that higher contamination levels in nests were associated with more unhatched eggs and chick mortality signals, suggesting a clear exposure pathway from pets to wild birds through nest building materials.

In simple terms, wild birds may be unintentionally exposing their embryos and chicks to pet parasite treatments.

This adds a concerning layer during a period of ongoing bird declines, but it is important to note it is not considered a primary driver. Major causes of bird population declines in Europe and North America are still habitat loss and fragmentation, insect decline and food shortages, climate change, and intensive agricultural practices.