


Regulation
A law is only as strong as its rate of enforcement
The Animal Legal Defense Fund brings lawsuits to enforce animal protection laws. But sometimes we aren’t able to sue, to help animals who are being harmed.
This may be because there is no law being violated, or because the government agencies charged with enforcing the laws refuse to do so and we do not have the standing to bring a lawsuit ourselves.
Government agencies are often tasked with interpreting and implementing laws. This includes regulations that agencies create and execute. The body of law involving these agencies is called “administrative law,” and the process of enacting and enforcing rules and regulations is the “regulatory process.”
We advocate for better, stronger animal protection laws and regulations. And we also use the regulatory process, to urge agencies to fulfill their duties and protect animals to the extent required by the law.
Here are some ways that the Animal Legal Defense Fund works within the regulatory process to protect animals:
- We file petitions for rulemaking: The Administrative Procedures Act allows any person or organization to request that a federal agency issue, amend or repeal a rule or regulation. We ask for tougher regulations and rules that are within the agency’s purview.
- We submit comments on proposed rules and regulations: Agencies considering changes to rules or regulations, or new rules or regulations, will solicit comments from the public and interested organizations. These comments must be considered, before the proposed changes may be made.
- We also put out alerts encouraging the public to submit comments of their own so the agency will aware that this is an issue people care about — and, with a critical mass of comments, will be inclined to respond to the public’s concerns. This is a critically important part of the regulatory process.
- We ask agencies to fulfill their regulatory duties: Regulations and rules must be enforced, to be effective. The Animal Legal Defense Fund urges agencies to fulfill their regulatory duties, when they have failed to do so — and we issue alerts asking the public to do the same.This is an especially helpful course of action when someone is violating the law in ways that harm animals, but there is no “standing” for us to bring a lawsuit.
When possible and necessary, these requests may be followed by lawsuits, asking courts to compel agencies to fulfill their legal duties.
Recent Cases
Petitions FTC to Investigate Deceptive Claims of Top Three Tuna Suppliers
Petition to Food & Drug Administration to Regulate Ractopamine Use
Related Cases
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Demanding USDA Revoke Animal Welfare Act License from Pennsylvania Roadside Zoo Claws ‘N’ Paws
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws ‘N’ Paws
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Urging USDA to Enforce Animal Welfare Act Requirements for Social Media Exhibitors
Complaint to USDA submitted February 2022
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See MoreRelated News
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Complaint Demands USDA Revoke Pennsylvania Claws ‘N’ Paws Roadside Zoo Animal Exhibitor License
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint urging the USDA to investigate and enforce the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and its implementing regulations to decline to re-issue the exhibitor license of Pennsylvania roadside zoo, Claws ‘N’ Paws.May 3, 2022 Press Release -
After Images of Employee’s Injury from Animal Attack Surface – OSHA Complaint Filed Against Texas Wild Animal Dealer and Roadside Zoo Owner
Graphic images of wound are posted on Tik-Tok by an employee of Gator Park — a facility owned and operated by Jason Clay.April 7, 2022 Press Release -
Complaint Demands USDA Provide Oversight of Animal Exhibitors on Social Media Operating Without Licenses
The complaint asks the agency to enforce the Animal Welfare Act to protect animals exploited on social media platformsFebruary 2, 2022 Press Release