Animal Legal Defense Fund

Litigation programthe litigation program files high impact lawsuits against individuals and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos. The program litigates cases in state and federal courts with the goal of stopping abusive practices and setting groundbreaking precedent that will establish justice for animals in the Legal system. In addition to suing Animal abusers, the litigation program often sues state and federal governments and agencies to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals; and intervenes in litigation to defend Animal protection laws when they are under siege from industries that abuse animals.

Criminal justice programthe criminal justice program is staffed by attorneys, including former prosecutors, with expertise in Animal protection. These attorneys provide free Legal assistance to prosecutors, law enforcement, and veterinarians handling Animal cruelty cases including Legal research, professional trainings, grant funding to help cover the costs of caring for seized animals, necessary forensic work, and securing and funding expert witnesses including veterinarians, Animal behaviorists, and experts on organized Animal fighting and Animal hoarding. Additionally, the program works with state legislators to strengthen criminal Animal protection laws and produces model Animal protection laws and annual rankings report on each state's Animal protection laws.

Animal law programthe Animal Legal Defense Fund's Animal law program works closely with law students and law professionals to advance the emerging field of Animal law. Working to expand Animal law into the curriculum of every law school in the country, the Animal law program collaborates with students, faculty, and school administrations to facilitate the development of Animal law courses and assists students in forming Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapters. As part of the Animal Legal Defense Fund's Animal law program, the organization makes grants available to various organizations, law centers, individuals, and Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapters at law schools across the country to support the efforts to inform, educate, and take action for Animal protection laws. The Animal Legal Defense Fund grants are critical to encouraging the next generation of Animal lawyers.

Legislative affairs programthe legislative affairs program works at the federal, state and local levels with the goal of increased Legal protections. The program advocates for laws that promote or protect the lives and interests of animals and opposes legislation that would be detrimental to animals' wellbeing and interests. The program works closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund's other programs to identify opportunities to create model legislation that addresses strategic Legal issues in the areas of civil and criminal law.pro bono programthe Animal Legal Defense funds pro bono program is the nation's largest Legal pro bono network for Animal protection. The program partners with attorneys and pro bono coordinators across the u.s. to expand the practice of Animal law. Collectively, Legal professionals donate thousands of hours to the Animal Legal Defense funds cases annually. The donated value of services for 7/01/2022 to 06/30/2023, included in the total expenses of the pro bono program was $2,655,439. The program also works to increase the understanding of Animal law in the Legal community by educating professionals at law firms and bar association events and keeping volunteers engaged and up to date on the latest developments. In the field.public educationpublic education informs the public of, and facilitates support for, the organization's mission in protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the Legal system.