Congratulations to the 2023 Student Chapters of the Year!

Congratulations to the Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter members at St. Thomas University College of Law and the University of Colorado Law School for winning the 2023 Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapter of the Year Awards!

Student chapters are recognized student organizations at law schools across the U.S. and affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Each student chapter is supported through Animal Legal Defense Fund grants to hold events on campus and attend animal law conferences and events. Each student chapter is supported and empowered to engage in local, state, and federal legislation, collaborate with local organizations on related issues, and offered special access to Animal Legal Defense Fund staff.

The student chapter at St. Thomas University College of Law was activated in 2022 and set out to make an immediate impact on their community. The chapter partnered with Miami-Dade County Animal Services’ Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) Program in an effort to help stabilize the community cat population on campus. They also worked with their university to create a safe environment where students, staff, and cats can coexist. Besides TNVR, the group hosted cat food donation drives, helped find homes for the friendly cats using their student chapter social media pages, and partnered with Miami Animal Rescue to transport companion animals to vet appointments and foster homes.

In addition, they successfully raised funding by raffling off a donated gift card from a local tattoo shop. The St. Thomas University Student Chapter has demonstrated a commitment to innovative and collaborative approaches to community engagement and animal law.

The student chapter at the University of Colorado Law School quickly mobilized in 2022 with a focus on measurably improving the position of animals at their school and in the community. They set off by championing the inclusion of an animal law course at Colorado Law, and as a result of consistent pressure, a wildlife law class will be introduced in Spring 2024. The group undertook another form of advocacy by writing public comments, including on a proposed rule from the United State Fish and Wildlife Services on the Endangered Species Act. The initiative was such a success that it will be implemented as an annual project. In addition, the chapter hosted several events at their university to engage their peers and foster a deeper understanding of animal law.

We are incredibly proud of both chapters and look forward to seeing what they do in the years to come!