What do Leaders in Animal Law, Policy & Welfare Say?
As part of Attorneys for Animals’ 25th anniversary year, we contacted a variety of people who have a long and distinguished history in advocating for animals. We sent them the following 7 questions, and then waited eagerly to read their assessments. We’ll regularly add new responses during the year 2020, so check back here often.
Here’s what we asked:
- Were you involved in animal law/policy/advocacy in 1995?
- If so, what were you doing?
- What were the major issues in 1995?
- What are the positive developments in last 25 years in animal law, policy or welfare?
- What are the negatives?
- What did we learn in the last 25 years?
- Looking toward the future, what are your predictions for the future: (choose some or all):
- 5 years (2025)
- 10 years (2030)
- 25 years (2045)
- Additional comments:
Here’s who we asked:
- David Favre, Professor of Property and Animal Law, Michigan State University College of Law: we are starting this series by asking Prof. Favre to consider the last quarter century and the future. Read his thoughtful and sometimes surprising assessment.
- Jerry Simonelli, JD, attorney, animal advocate and political strategist. Jerry was a member of the CT House of Representatives, advisor to two members of the U.S. Congress, has taught animal law at Wayne State University, and helped launch Humane Voters Canada. Here’s what Jerry has to say about 25 years of animal advocacy.
- Jill Fritz, Director of Wildlife Protection at HSUS, where she focuses on ending wildlife killing contests and other cruel and unsporting practices; and the former HSUS Michigan senior state director. Read Jill’s insights about the necessity of persistence and the importance of policy-centered advocacy.
- Andrew Domzalski, PhD, has taught Human-Animal Studies for 15 years at Madonna University. His research revolve around religious conceptualizations of animals. He’s the founder of a cat rescue. Andrew brings the perspective of a scholar, educator and hands-on grassroots advocate to his responses.
- Ken Shapiro, PhD, founded the Animals and Society Institute and its predecessor organization, Psychologists for the Ethical treatment of Animals. He is founder or editor of several peer reviewed journals. He has done much to make Human-Animal Studies an academic field. Ken brings the perspective of an academic (and one who is not in an ivory tower), a scholar, and an animal advocate.
- Sara Luick had been involved in animal advocacy and law for about 15 years by 1995. She is a long-time board member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the New England Anti-Vivisection Society and several organizations in her home state of Massachusetts. As an attorney, her board work for animal advocacy organizations over the years became her avocation, with her animal law background an asset to these boards. Read her important insights into the development and flourishing of animal law.
- Phil Arkow has an encyclopedic understanding of The LINK between animal abuse and human violence. Phil is coordinator of the National LINK Coalition – the National Resource Center on The LINK between Animal Abuse and Human Violence – and edits the monthly LINK-Letter. His lists and examples of the positives and negatives of the past quarter century is a good starting point for advocates wanting to learn the movement’s history.
- Carol J. Adams is a feminist-vegan advocate, activist, and independent scholar and writer. Her groundbreaking work, The Sexual Politics of Meat remains as relevant today as it was in 1990 when first published. Carol’s interview emphasizes her understanding of the history of the movement and the connectedness of animal advocacy with other social justice movements.