legal resources

The Animal Legal Defense Fund provides these resources to help you learn how animal protection laws function within the legal system.

Animals and the Law

The field of animal law is complex. Use these articles as a guide to understand the fundamentals.

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What You Can Do

Do you need help with a specific legal situation involving an animal? Our guides below are provided with that end in mind.

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Other Resources

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Keep Animals Safe and Warm This Winter

With winter—and low temperatures—upon us, it’s important to make sure companion animals are safe and warm. Dogs, cats and other companion animals are not equipped to handle the cold.

Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America

Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America are the top resources for lawyers, law professors, law students, legislators, other legal professionals, and anyone who wants the most comprehensive animal protection laws collection of its kind.
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Rodeo Facts

Rodeos may be popular, but more and more Americans are becoming aware of just how cruel these events are for the animals forced to participate.
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Companion Animal Theft

Animal theft is a crime, but unfortunately a common one. By some estimates, nearly 2 million companion animals are stolen every year in the United States.
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Animal Fighting Facts

Animal fighting is a staged fight between two or more animals, or between a human and an animal, for the purpose of human entertainment, wagering, or sport.
The PETS Act, when companion animals are affected by natural disasters

Legal FAQ’s for Search and Rescue Volunteers

Volunteer attorneys from across the U.S. have donated their time to, as quickly as possible, research and write the legal memoranda that support the shorter answers provided here.
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What To Do if You Witness Animal Cruelty Online

Report what you have found to the local law enforcement agency where the poster’s account originates or to your local law enforcement agency if the account does not disclose a location.
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Why Prosecutors Don’t Prosecute

Why don’t public prosecutors always do the right thing and prosecute animal abusers?

Ways to Give

Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been the leader in the fight to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your generous support is vital to our continued success.

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