where science and ethics intersect with politics
From mass killings of free-roaming dogs in India to the launch of a public animal cruelty registry in Florida, the opening weeks of 2026 reveal both the fragility of animal protections and the growing role of courts and policy in addressing systemic harm. This World News Wednesday report examines the most significant animal rights and welfare developments from January 1–26, 2026.
On World Wildlife Conservation Day and International Cheetah Day, The Humane Herald examines the crisis facing cheetahs and the global systems driving wildlife decline. Beyond charismatic species, true conservation demands dismantling the industries and worldviews that treat animals as resources rather than beings with rights.
The Humane Herald 