Articles Archive

Spotlight: Elly Ren

Elly Ren is a 2025 recipient of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship.

June 5, 2025 Student Chapter Spotlight

2025 Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship Recipients

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships are awarded to law student members of our student chapters based upon demonstrated commitment to the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission, “to advance the interests and protect the lives of animals through the legal system.”

June 5, 2025 Student Chapters

Spotlight: Amanda Houdeschell

Amanda Houdeschell is a 2025 recipient of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Advancement in Animal Law Scholarship.

June 5, 2025 Student Chapter Spotlight

Spotlight: Aryana Swanson

Aryana Swanson is the 2025 recipient of the Stacey Gordon Sterling Scholarship as part of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship series.

June 5, 2025 Student Chapter Spotlight

D.C. Pets in Housing Act Aims to Remove Barriers to Housing for Multispecies Families

Effective October 2025, the D.C. Pets in Housing Amendment Act restricts “pet fees” and bans breed and size discrimination in pet-friendly rentals, supporting the policy goal of keeping companion animals with their families, regardless of socioeconomic status.

May 13, 2025 Animal Law Update

Mexico Adds Animal Protection to its Constitution

Mexico has become the tenth country to include animal protection in its constitution. The new provisions regarding animal protection and care were signed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in December 2024 and became effective immediately.

April 16, 2025 Animal Law Update

Clarifying that Fish are “Animals,” Connecticut Bans the Use of Goldfish as Carnival Prizes

With an amendment to its consumer protection law, Connecticut has made it illegal to use fish as prizes for carnivals and other games.

February 7, 2025 Animal Law Update

Massachusetts Bans the Use of Certain Wild Animals in Traveling Circus Acts

Effective January 1, 2025, Massachusetts’s Bill S.2189 bans the use of several species of wild animals in traveling shows. The new law, signed by Governor Maura Healy in summer 2024, protects elephants, big cats, nonhuman primates, bears, and giraffes from being exhibited or forced to perform in mobile acts like circuses, carnivals, and fairs.

February 7, 2025 Animal Law Update

Congratulations to the 2024 Student Chapters of the Year!

These awards celebrate chapters that have shown incredible efforts in advancing animal law and advocating for animals through original projects and initiatives. Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters are a vital part of the growing animal law movement.

December 5, 2024 Student Chapters

B.C. Supreme Court Awards Shared Custody of a Dog After Changes to Family Law Act

In a first-of-its-kind ruling in Canada, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (B.C.) has awarded shared custody of a dog, referencing her best interests, animal sentience, and recent changes to the Family Law Act, which differentiate companion animals from other property in divorce proceedings.

October 2, 2024 Animal Law Update