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The Litigation Program files high-impact lawsuits against individuals and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos. We litigate cases in state and federal courts with the goal of stopping abusive practices and setting ground-breaking precedent that will establish justice for animals in the legal system. In addition to suing animal abusers, we often sue state and federal governments and agencies to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals; and we intervene in litigation to defend animal protection laws when they are under siege from industries that abuse animals.
Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help v. United States Environmental Protection Agency
The Animal Legal Defense Fund joined a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s policy of exempting most factory farms from the legal requirement to report the release of hazardous materials into the environment.
In May 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund joined a coalition of consumer, environmental, and animal protection groups opposing the withdrawal of rules that would provide basic protections for farmed animals at organic farms.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund alleges Olympic Game Farm, a roadside zoo in Sequim, Washington, is breaking the Endangered Species Act and state anti-cruelty laws by not providing adequate care for the captive animals in its possession.
In 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Missouri law that prevents plant-based meat and cultured meat producers from using “meat” terminology because their products do not come from a slaughtered animal.
Michael Sandlin and Tiger Truck Stop, Inc. v. State of Louisiana …., Through Its Secretary Robert J. Barham, Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, and Iberville Parish Through Its President, J. Mitchell Ourso, JR.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund intervened in Tiger Truck Stop’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the big cat ban so that we could both defend the big cat ban and challenge the special law exempting Tiger Truck Stop from the ban.
Application to Meeker County District Court submitted on March 20, 2025
The Animal Legal Defense Fund and Animal Partisan filed an application to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Meeker County, Minnesota, to obtain a court-issued search warrant and order a law enforcement investigation into Jennie-O Turkey Farms.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to challenge its pattern and practice of approving chicken and turkey products without reviewing the imagery on the labels to ensure that it is not misleading to consumers.
Complaint to Iowa Attorney General submitted on December 18, 2024
The Animal Legal Defense Fund submitted a complaint letter urging Iowa’s attorney general to investigate violations of a settlement agreement between the state of Iowa and JAKS Puppies, a notorious Iowa puppy mill broker owned by Jolyn Noethe and Kimberly Dolphin.
We’ve updated our Privacy Policy to reflect changes in cookies, our donor data practices, and text messaging. Learn more. We use cookies and similar technologies that may collect information about you and your activities on our websites and share it with third parties as described in our Privacy Policy and Ad & Cookie Policy. By continuing to use our websites, you agree to our use of cookies and similar technologies, Privacy Policy and Ad & Cookie Policy.
