Animals in Spotlight: the start of 2026

With the new year, bring new promises, new challenges, and new hope for animals. In the first

week of 2026, animal welfare seems to taken centre stage. Across the globe, we see that

early-year developments are already shaping the future of animal welfare, from newly enacted

laws to planned adoption events. Let's take a look at a few;

New protection laws are set to take effect in 2026 in California, making a significant

improvement in animal welfare. These bills are said to include an anti-declawing bill to prevent

unnecessary and painful procedures to cats, the puppy importation act targets unethical

breeding and predatory pet-selling practices,[1] aiming to protect pets from predatory practices,

and improving shelter access while improving animal safety.

More locally, 17 villages have come together to bring back the endangered wild buffalo in Udanti

Sitanadi Tigers Reserve (USTR) in Gariaband.[2] Once these buffalo were found spread across

parts of Maharashera, odisha but today only one 26-year-old male wild buffalo, called Chottu,

remains in the reserve at USTR.

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC)[3] is asking for help from animal lovers and

feeders as they have set up 286 designated feeding zones across the city. Dr Arunja Roa, the

chief medical and health officer at VMC, has said that animal lovers and volunteers have been

assigned specific zones to ensure regular maintenance and care in an amazing show of friendship, a group of monkeys jumps into a crocodile-infested river to save one of their own, risking their lives. [4] This happened in the river along in Kendrapara,

when a lone monkey unknowingly jumped into the river, and was caught by the crocodile.

In response, the rest of the trope surrounded the crocodile and confused it, forcing it to release its

captive. Moments like this remind us that true friendship and loyalty exist.

In a historic move, the Indian Army will showcase an animal contingent in the 2026 Republic

Day Parade in New Delhi.

The Remount and Veterinary Corps[5] (RVC) will compile a series of animals that the Indian Army currently use including two Bactrian Camels that are used to operate in the cold desert of Ladakh, where vehicles are difficult to operate, four Zanskar ponies

Used for logistics and patrol in places such as the Siachen Glaciers, four raptors used for surveillance and bird-related attack, and a pack of Army Dogs nicknamed the “silent warriors. ”

Used for search and rescue, counter-terrorism, and bomb detection. The addition of animals in

the 2026 Republic Day Parade will definitely be a ceremonial moment. It gives a reminder that

Animals are a crucial part of our national security.

Together, these early moments of the first week of 2026 shift in how animals are treated and

viewed in different societies. Wether its is communities coming together to save a species or

recognition of animal services, every step forward shows us the positive change toward animal

welfare. As 2026 moves on, it is important for all of us to continue to help and protect those who

need it.