Cities, states, and the U.S. Government are constantly in the process of writing and enacting legislation that will directly impact companion animals as well as farm animals and wild life. The Animal Legal Defense Fund strives to ensure that the rights of animals are not neglected in the process of solving other problems.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s primary programs include Animal Law Program that supports the field of animal law among legal professionals and in law schools nationwide; the Criminal Justice Program which works with law enforcement and prosecutors to seek maximum penalties for animal abusers; and the Litigation Program which files cutting-edge lawsuits to stop the abuse of companion animals, and animals abused in industries including factory farming and the entertainment business.

Their website provides several valuable resources for people interested in the intersection of animal rights and the law. According to their website, Animal law is a combination of statutory and case law in which the nature - legal, social or biological - of nonhuman animals is an important factor. Animal law encompasses companion animals, wildlife, animals used in entertainment and animals raised for food and used in research. Examples of this intersection include:

* Animal custody disputes in divorce or separations.
* Veterinary malpractice cases.
* Housing disputes involving "no pets" policies and discrimination laws.
* Damages cases involving the wrongful death or injury to a companion animal.
* Enforceable trusts for companion animals being adopted by states across the country.
* Criminal law encompassing domestic violence and anti-cruelty laws.

The site includes a list of resources about animals and related legal issues, information on events, items in the news, and a section on actions you, as a caring pet owner and advocate, can take. This site has a wealth of useful legal information. You can read reports on How to Find an Attorney for animals related issues, what to do if your companion animal is injured or killed, custody battles, landlord disputes and much more. The news section gives you current articles on pending legislation and ACT NOW helps you get involved.

Posted by Barbara.