the Welsh Assembly in the United Kingdom has recently banned the use of electric shock collars to train dogs and cats
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8584028.stm
http://www.bitterwallet.com/more-dog-news-electric-shock-collars-banned-in-wales/27275


a new political party, Animal Party Switzerland (Tierpartei Schweiz) was formed to give voice to and protect our defenseless co-inhabitants
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/July/international_July1143.xml&section=international&col=
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-07-26-animals-get-a-voice-in-swiss-politics
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=57813
http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2010/07/0639animals-receive-own-political-party.html


The German airline Lufthansa announced that it was halting the practice of transporting dogs and cats for use in experiments

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/lufthansa-stops-shipping-dogs-and-cats-to-laboratories/
http://www.lufthansa.com/mediapool/pdf/21/media_812221.pdf
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=629486
http://www.commonwealth2010.in/