The complexities of the United States v. Stevens case are clarified in this Q & A session with ALDF Attorney Matthew Liebman. Have additional questions? Post them in the comments section and Matthew will answer them on the Q & A page.

I recently listened to a podcast on Scout's House Radio entitled, "The Making of Special Needs Pets." In the interview, ALDF's Chief Outside Litigation Counsel Bruce Wagman discussed how humans create special needs companions - special needs companions like Maggie, who, at the age of two, was too fearful to play.

AB 243 has cleared the California Legislature and now awaits Governor Schwarzenegger's signature. ALDF provided research and advice to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (who championed the proposal) on the drafting of the bill - a process which began more than a year ago.

Does your state have the laws necessary to ensure that your companion animal is cared for in the case of your passing?

Allison Dinsmore, a middle school teacher in Palm Beach County, Florida, is facing felony charges of animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning her two cats for weeks, leaving them to die horrible deaths by starvation in her apartment. Send a polite letter to State Attorney Michael F. McAuliffe, thanking him for his work to date on the case and encouraging a strong and meaningful sentence upon conviction.

What are you doing to create the change animals need?

Volume 2 of the Stanford Journal of Animal Law and Policy (SJALP) is now online.

Facing over 90 criminal charges of animal cruelty related to animal hoarding, Wanda Oughton pleaded guilty to one criminal count of animal cruelty and was ordered to pay over $35,000 in restitution and fines.

Veterinarians could face penalities for reporting animal cruelty.

ALDF helps prosecutor in animal/domestic abuse case

The case of Max the cat is a milestone for animal rights.

The recent case of Cheyenne Cherry, a 17 year old girl who reportedly confessed unapologetically for having tortured and killed a kitten by putting her in a hot oven, has garnered well-deserved outrage from across the nation.

Have Americans' attitudes towards animals changed? Yes, they have, and it is most obvious in how Americans view their own companion animals.

Morris County, New Jersey
Case Closed
Take Action! Support ALDF's First Strike and You're Out law!

Send a polite letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service asking them to permanently revoke Michael Sargeant's Class B license.

Animal lovers in San Juan Puerto Rico beckoned ALDF for a visit to observe and assist with local efforts to protect and enhance the lives of animals there, and I happily volunteered to go.

Help stop animal hoarding! Support ALDF's model law.

I spend more evenings than I'd care to admit trying to divine what my dog and two cats are thinking. It is a never-ending source of amusement for me to watch them relate to each other, and to me, and see how they motivate and manipulate each other.

A proposal for mandatory bans on contact with animals following a conviction for animal neglect or cruelty.

Palm Beach County, Florida
Case Closed

Ask Joyce: I'm worried about who will care for my cats, Bob and Alice, when I die. My family is gone, and I have no friends who can take care of them. What do I do?

Court orders county shelter to improve conditions by July 1st.

Not too long ago, I got a typical call from a somewhat harried prosecutor. She works as the lead attorney in the domestic violence unit of her office, loves animals and had heard that ALDF can help busy prosecutors get better results in their cases.

Flea and tick season are fast approaching, and it's time to start thinking about how to combat these pests to keep our pets comfortable, safe and healthy. In years past, I've been diligent about regularly applying topical flea and tick control to both my cats and dogs during the time of year when these pests are at their worst. However, more and more information is coming out about the dangers of these pesticide products, which has me reconsidering my use of them.

Watch ALDF's special video profile of our National Justice for Animals Week mascot—Adam, a 2-year-old cat who survived a horrific act of cruelty to inspire animal advocates around the world.

Ms. Moawad's aggressive prosecution of profoundly cruel animal abuse in the White Socks kitten case helped improve the flawed sentencing system that capped the state’s ability to put the offenders away for a meaningful period of time.

The majority of Dr. Ferris' emergency response activities involve large scale animal hoarding cases and dog fighting seizures rather than natural disasters. Dr. Ferris is a sworn animal cruelty investigator and teaches animal cruelty investigation courses for veterinary students and other cruelty investigators across the state.

Celebrate ALDF's cutting-edge efforts for cats in 2008.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Releases Annual Report Ranking Animal Cruelty Laws Across the Nation

This report - the only one of its kind in the nation - ranks the animal protection laws of every state based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness.

ALDF had the opportunity to chat with NASCAR driver Nolan Wilson about what fuels his passion for animal protection, why he loves racing fans, and what his feline co-pilot, Pipet, is meowing about these days.

Decrepit County Facilities Brought under Fire for Falling Far Short of Standards Mandated by State's Humane Shelter Law

The Horror is Finally Over For 250 Dogs and Cats

ALDF's New Study Ranks Provinces and Territories on Laws Protecting Animals - Ontario Ranks Worst, Manitoba Takes Top Honors in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s First-of-its-Kind Report

Portland, Oregon
Case Closed
Act now!

Visalia, California

State Appeals Court in Los Angeles Upholds City’s Ban on "Declawing"

From A Hoarding Case Comes A New Law

What You Can Do If You've Been Affected By the Pet Food Recall

Eleven Neglected Cats Permanently Rescued From Horrific Living Conditions

Oregon Court of Appeals Grants Petition to Permanently Remove Cats from their Neglectful Owner in Linn County Hoarding Case, Sets Vital Precedent for Animal Law

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is urging the judge and district attorney in a local case of mass animal cruelty to set conditions preventing convicted abuser Bonnie George from continuing to own animals at her resentencing this evening in Franklinville, NY.

It began with one of the cruelest animal abuse cases imaginable. Three young men took Max, a brown tabby cat, from his home in Spokane, Washington, doused him with gasoline, and set him on fire in a field.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has produced a first-of-its-kind report – a ranking of all fifty states and the District of Columbia for the general comprehensiveness and relative strength of their respective animal protection laws.

Mourning an animal companion is painful enough due to the loss itself, but may be deeper still due to the loneliness of this type of grieving. Often, others fail to appreciate the depth of our grief, making the process that much more painful. Read this insightful article for help during this difficult time.

Companion animals add so much to our lives and give us joy, unconditional love and loyalty. Yet people routinely fail to provide for their animals in their wills. Here are several ways to ensure proper care of your animals following your death.

Hoarding is one of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty, affecting tens of thousands of animals – mostly cats and dogs – in communities nationwide. Find out how to spot it and what you can do to stop it.

Finding an attorney to help with your animal-related issue can be an important step. ALDF offers these helpful suggestions when finding an animal law attorney.

We all want the pleasures that come from having companion animals in our homes. However, with that comes an owner 's responsibility to be a good neighbor. Here are some tips for being a responsible pet owner and steps towards resolving conflict should it arise.

Problems with landlords, property management, or homeowners associations that say you must remove your companion animal are not uncommon. Here are some suggestions for how to handle these types of disputes.

This information is designed to provide a general introduction to handling companion animal wrongful death or injury cases both for caretakers of animals who have been injured or killed and for attorneys handling these cases for their clients.

One of the most frequent requests for assistance that the Animal Legal Defense Fund receives is from people whose companion animals have suffered injuries, or even death, and who fear that negligence by their veterinarian was the cause. Here is some important information about veterinary malpractice.

If someone has injured or killed your animal, you may be entitled to damages, regardless of whether the animal was injured or killed intentionally or accidentally, as long as the conduct is determined to be negligent. Read this important information.

If you purchased an animal from a breeder or a pet store and then discovered that the animal is sick, or if the animal has even died as a result of ill health, read this information.

If you are involved in a custody dispute, or if such a dispute is likely, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of an attorney who can advise you as to a strategic approach for a resolution that serves the best interests of the animal concerned.

It can be heartbreaking to see a neighbor’s animal suffering in a situation of neglect. Depending on the situation, there are various ways you can help the animal or animals involved. Read for more information.

This Frequently Asked Questions section was designed to help address the legal questions generated by animal rescuers and others assisting with the recovery of animals affected by disasters.

It is very disturbing when your local humane organizations are not addressing the needs of animals in your community in an effective and compassionate manner. Learn what should be expected from your local humane organizations.

If you witness the abuse or neglect of an animal, please immediately file a complaint with your local law enforcement agency and insist that an investigation be completed. If charges have been filed, please contact ALDF and read this important information.

You go into a pet store to buy some delicious treats for your oh-so-adorable companion animal, only to find out that the store is selling live animals and keeping them in appalling conditions. Learn what you can do.