Advocating For Animals

Find the tools you need to effectively communicate with law enforcement, veterinarians, and legislators about animal issues that are important to you.

Find Your Elected Officials
Find your elected officials and local district attorneys.
Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America and Canada
This is the must-have resource for lawyers, law professors, law students, legislators, other legal professionals, and anyone who wants the most comprehensive animal protection laws collection of its kind available.
Model Animal Protection Laws Collection
ALDF's Model Animal Protection Laws include definitions of terms, general prohibitions, defenses, pre- and post-conviction provisions, and other provisions.
Attending a Criminal Court Proceeding
Attending court proceedings for criminal animal abuse cases is a great way to demonstrate that your community cares about animal protection and expects zero tolerance for animal cruelty.
Working with Legislators
Animals can’t vote, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice in the political process. Animal advocates can give them a voice if the appropriate steps are taken in lobbying for pro-animal legislation. Learn how.
U.S. Jurisdictions With and Without Felony Animal Cruelty Provisions
A current list of U.S. jurisdictions with and without felony animal cruelty provisions.
Veterinarian's Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
Veterinarians play an integral role in the fight against animal cruelty. Download ALDF's quick reference guide for state by state information regarding veterinarians' duty to report suspected animal cruelty.
First Strike and You're Out: A Model Law
A proposal for mandatory bans on contact with animals following a conviction for animal neglect or cruelty.
Dealing with Aggressive Dogs: Community Solutions That Consider Each Dog, Not Their Breed
Addressing the issue of aggressive dogs in a non-breed-specific fashion, focusing on the behavior of individual dogs, not on their breed.
Tips For Writing to Law Enforcement
Whether writing to a prosecutor, sheriff, investigator or judge, our input can have a significant effect on how cases are handled and laws are enforced. The following tips will help you write a persuasive letter.
Why Prosecutors Don't Prosecute
There are many reasons why a prosecutor may choose not to pursue criminal cruelty charges, even when it appears to us that the perpetrator is obviously guilty. Find out why, and what you can do to help ensure animal abusers are prosecuted.
Pet Theft
Pet theft remains a terrible reality across the country. Often underlying these crimes are dogfighters seeking "bait" animals and dealers acquiring animals to sell to research and breeding operations. Find out what you can do to help.
Charging Considerations in Criminal Animal Abuse Cases
The expertise seasoned prosecutors bring to the charging process reflects the complexities which often determine the possibility of going forward with a criminal prosecution.
Support Stronger Penalties for Dogfighting
Help put an end to dogfighting and create strong laws for animals so criminals who use animals for fighting receive meaningful sentences.
Animal Fighting Facts
This comprehensive resource discusses the most common types of animal fighting, issues common to animal fighting cases, state and federal laws and prosecuting animal fighting crimes.
Legal Guide for Activists
This educational guide for animal activists includes information about basic legal principles applicable with respect to activism, planning a demonstration, civil disobedience, interacting with police, and an Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act summary.
Puppy Mills Require Ongoing Legislative Attention
Despite heightened public awareness, puppy mills continue to plague communities across the nation.
Farmed Animals and the Law
Farmed animals - those raised for the meat, dairy, and egg industries - are among the most abused in the United States, in numbers that are so staggering as to be almost incomprehensible. Find out how you can help.
Animal Neglect Facts
Animal neglect is the failure to provide basic care required for an animal to thrive. This document contains information about federal and state law, county/city ordinances, resources and case studies.
When Goldfish Are "Animals" - Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty
For a community to effectively address interpersonal violence, it must have tools which allow it to focus on the conduct of the abusers and not be distracted by the social status of the victims.
No Boundaries for Abusers: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
Several academic studies have found a clear link between animal cruelty during youth and violence against humans as an adult. This link is so well established, profilers routinely use animal cruelty reports in their assessment of the possible threat criminals pose.
Animal Hoarding Facts
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.
ALDF Legislative Posters
Send a strong message to your elected officials with ALDF's Legislative Posters. Sayings include, "Animals Don't Vote, But Those Who Love Them Do," and "Your Constituents Are Sleeping With Our Clients."
2012 U.S. Animal Protection Laws Rankings™
December 17th, 2012
Animal Legal Defense Fund's annual study ranks laws across the country.
2012 Canadian Animal Protection Laws Rankings™
This study by the Animal Legal Defense Fund underscores the often-considerable differences that exist between the animal protection laws of the provinces and territories.

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