 An appeals court has ruled in favor of birds in AAVS’s lawsuit against the USDA for its inaction and “unreasonable delay” to create regulations for the sale and use of birds, as required by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). This latest decision is part of a nearly two-decade long effort by AAVS and its co-plaintiff, the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC), to secure AWA protection for birds who are exploited in commercial industries. Because USDA has chosen to not regulate birds, exploitation and abuse of these animals continues, without accountability or public knowledge. Regulations would set standards to address serious animal welfare concerns at bird mills (the avian equivalent to puppy mills), inhumane conditions during transport, and proper living environments for flight animals, as well as the care and use of some birds in research. AAVS President Sue Leary commented, “We are grateful that the Appeals Court judges affirmed that our case deserves to be heard. It's quite obvious that USDA is not doing what Congress mandates, but they have evaded accountability for so many years. No longer." | 
