Dozens Of Lion Trophy Permits Issued To Hunters As Trump Rolls Back Import Hurdles

The federal government has issued more than three dozen permits allowing hunters to import lion trophies from two African nations since 2016, according to copies of the applications obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. 

The documents, obtained by the group Friends of Animals, provide insight into the often secretive permitting process to import threatened or endangered species killed abroad during luxury hunting trips. Thirty-three Americans were issued permits to import 38 lion trophies between 2016 and 2018, at least half of whom have donated to Republican lawmakers or are affiliated with the hunting lobby Safari Club International.

It’s unclear how many permit applications are currently before the agency or how many were issued in past years. In a statement, the Fish and Wildlife Service said that all permit applications are carefully reviewed and granted only if they meet several legal standards in accordance with international treaties and other requirements of the country in which the animal was hunted.

“Legal, well-regulated hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation,” the statement read.

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Ellen DeGeneres Launches Campaign to Save Elephants After Trump Ends Trophy Ban

Trump’s overturning of the Obama administration ban on elephant trophies in Zimbabwe and Zambia being imported into America sparked outrage from animal rights activists.

Ellen used her talk show yesterday to proclaim her love for elephants and detail her shock at the Trump’s administration’s decision. She said: ‘I love elephants. And if you take the time to learn about elephants, you would love them too.’

To read more on this story, click here: Ellen DeGeneres Launches Campaign to Save Elephants After Trump Ends Trophy Ban

Facing Public Outrage, Trump Puts Elephant Trophy Decision ‘On Hold’

WASHINGTON — In the face of widespread public backlash, President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he has suspended his decision to reverse an Obama-era ban on the importation of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

“Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts,” he posted to Twitter. He adding that the issue has been “under study for years” but that he would soon provide an update.

As HuffPost reported Wednesday, the administration decided to lift the ban after determining that sport hunting in those African countries will help conserve the species, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed.

To read more on this story, click here: Facing Public Outrage, Trump Puts Elephant Trophy Decision ‘On Hold’

9-Week-Old Goldendoodle to Become the Trump Family’s First Dog

There is a long and storied history of presidential pets and the roles that they play in an administration. Checkers, a cocker spaniel, helped (briefly) save Richard Nixon’s career. The Clintons’ chocolate Lab, Buddy, and cat, Socks, provided ample, family-friendly distractions from less pleasant matters. Not content to live a life of leisure, President George H.W. Bush’s springer spaniel, Millie, “wrote” a best-seller called Millie’s Book that offered insights into the life of the first family. Martin Van Buren had tiger cubs. Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt had bears, and Calvin Coolidge had a pygmy hippopotamus! Presidents have frequently cottoned on to the pleasure of pet ownership, not least for their warm and fuzzy public relations opportunities. (After listening to Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, a tearful Mamie Eisenhower reportedly told her husband that any man who loves dogs has to be honest.) And perhaps the Trumps will be no different.

A Palm Beach–based philanthropist named Lois Pope told the Washington Post that she has been training a 9-week-old Goldendoodle to become the Trump family’s First Dog. Pope, who has named the puppy Patton, after General George Patton, the World War II general whom Trump often publicly admires (most recently in the installment of his “victory tour” in Cincinnati), said that she has known the family for the past 20 years. She even showed the president-elect a picture of the dog at Mar-A-Lago, she said, in the hopes that the family will take him on as a companion for their 10-year-old son, Barron, who will likely face a tough adjustment ahead. “It’s going to be hard for me to let him go,” Pope told the Post of Patton, who is to receive what she calls “hero dog training,” and who, at the time of their interview, was gnawing on a basket. “But I will do it. Because [Barron] is more important than I am.”

Trump’s camp has not issued any public decisions about Patton, but it may be worth noting that his family has a history of preferring to hunt animals rather than care for them. And while a Goldendoodle (a historically clever, friendly breed favored by young families who abhor shedding) is certainly on brand for a president-elect with a predilection for that particular metal, one has to wonder: Would a Trump endorsed ’doodle help that breed or hurt it? Back in 2009, pet owners fretted that an Obama-provoked spike in Portuguese water dog popularity would incite “101 Dalmatians syndrome.” At a dog park in lower Manhattan, one Goldendoodle owner wrinkled her nose at the suggestion that Trump would soon be synonymous with her pet. “God,” she said, “I hope not.”

The 43rd President, George W. Bush, and His Wife, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Adopted a Dog from the SPCA of Texas

“We already love him!” George W. Bush, his wife Laura adopt a puppy named Freddy!

George W. Bush made a very important announcement on Facebook Monday — he adopted a puppy.

The 43rd President posted on Facebook that he and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, adopted a dog from the SPCA of Texas and named him Freddy Bush.

“We already love him, and even our cats Bob and Bernadette are finding Freddy’s charm futile to resist,” Bush wrote on his Facebook.

It’s no secret that the Bush family adores their dogs. Barney Bush was the famous Scottish Terrier who was at the White House during Bush’s administration. The pup even had his own White House website and was often referred to as “First Dog” while Bush was in office.

Barney died at age 12 in 2013, after Bush left the White House. Miss Beazley, the Bush’s other Scottish Terrier, died in 2014 at age nine.

In the Facebook post, Bush advocated for adopting or rescuing dogs from shelters.

“If you could use a little extra joy in your life, consider adopting a pet from an animal shelter or rescue group,” he wrote.

2016 Election: Which Candidate is the Most Animal-Friendly?

The 2016 election has become one of the most heated and divisive primaries in American history.

But no matter which party you align with, all animal-loving voters should be aware of the stances their candidates take in regards to animal rights and humane policies that protect pets.  

So how do the presidential and vice presidential candidates stack up when it comes to historical pet-friendliness and all-around animal activism? Here are some of the major things to know: 

Hillary Rodham Clinton:

The Democratic presidential nominee has an entire page on her website about how she plans to "promote animal welfare and protect animals from cruelty and abuse."

One of the bullet points of Clinton's promises says that, as President, she would "Protect pets and domesticated animals by making sure facilities like animal breeders, zoos, and research institutions create plans to protect the animals in their care during disasters; strengthen regulations of 'puppy mills' and other harmful commercial breeding facilities; and support the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act."

During her time in the Senate, Clinton co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, as well as a bill to amend the Horse Protection Act. 

Clinton, a pet parent to three dogs (Seamus, Maisie, and Tally), has previously recieved a perfect score from the Humane Society's Legislative Fund. In a press release in 2007 for the HSLF, Clinton said, "Our policies should reflect the important role that animals play in our lives and our environment. I believe we should treat animals humanely and that is why I support anti-cruelty laws."

To read more on this story, click here: 2016 Election: Which Candidate is the Most Animal-Friendly?

Sunny, The Youngest of the First Family’s Two Dogs, Sometimes Sneaks Out of the Kitchen and Poops at the Other End of the White House

Bo Obama is a perfectly well-behaved Portuguese Water Dog. He’s had top notch breeding and training. In fact, his professional trainer said that Bo was an attentive student who never had an accident. He’s certainly a presidential pup. Sunny Obama, Bo’s furry sister, is a bit of a punk.

First Lady Michelle Obama admitted that Sunny, the younger of the First Family’s two dogs, can be a little naughty. The pup will sometimes sneak out of the kitchen and go poop at the other end of the White House. Sunny didn’t get the expert training that Bo did, apparently, and she wasn’t potty trained when the Obama family got her in 2013.

Sunny has a history of rowdy behavior. She once knocked over a toddler at a White House holiday event, though she apologized by licking the little one’s face. It’s nice to know that her high status in society hasn’t affected Sunny’s ability to throw decorum to the wind. Even the President has to deal with dogs pooping in the house.