Animal Legal Defense Fund

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Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. Founded in 1979 by attorney Joyce Tischler, the ALDF works to ensure that animals have their day in court and that perpetrators of animal cruelty are held accountable.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the ALDF is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The organization aims to achieve this by:

• Filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm.
• Providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in their fight against animal cruelty.
• Supporting strong enforcement of anti-cruelty laws and humane treatment standards.
• Encouraging the federal government to enforce existing animal protection laws.
• Nurturing the future of animal law through student chapters and the Animal Law Program.

Key Activities

The ALDF engages in various activities to fulfill its mission, including:

• **Litigation**: The ALDF files lawsuits to stop animal abuse and expand the boundaries of animal law.
• **Legislation**: The organization works to pass stronger animal protection laws at the state and federal levels.
• **Criminal Justice**: The ALDF provides resources and training to law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure that animal abusers are held accountable.
• **Education**: Through its Animal Law Program, the ALDF supports law students and legal professionals interested in animal law.

Notable Cases

The ALDF has been involved in several high-profile cases, including:

• **Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Glickman**: A landmark case that challenged the conditions of animals in captivity.
• **Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Otter**: A case that challenged Idaho's "ag-gag" law, which criminalized undercover investigations of agricultural operations.

Animal Law Program

The ALDF's Animal Law Program supports law students and legal professionals interested in animal law. The program includes:

• **Student Chapters**: The ALDF has student chapters at law schools across the United States, providing resources and support for students interested in animal law.
• **Scholarships and Grants**: The organization offers scholarships and grants to support the study and practice of animal law.
• **Conferences and Events**: The ALDF hosts conferences and events to bring together legal professionals and advocates to discuss issues in animal law.

Related Pages

• Animal rights
• Animal welfare
• Animal cruelty
• Animal law
• Joyce Tischler
• Ag-gag laws

See Also

• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
• Humane Society of the United States
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

External Links

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