Jerry Simonelli, JD, has had wide and varied experiences in animal law, policy, and advocacy, and in the political system. Here are some highlights:
- Helped launch Humane Voters Canada, Animal Justice Canada Legislative Fund
- Member of Connecticut House of Representatives
- Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Charles A. Vanik (D-Ohio)
- Special Advisor to U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays (R- CT) developing animal protection legislation
- Adjunct professor of law teaching animal law at Wayne State University and University of Windsor
- Former Board Member, Animals and Society Institute.
- Education: B.A. John Carroll University; J.D. University of Toledo; LL.M. (Taxation) George Washington University
“Either a population that has evolved to protect our environment and all beings on the planet or a world of ecological devastation, scarcity, and war for natural resources.”
Prediction for 2045
- Were you involved in animal law/policy/advocacy in 1995?
- Yes.
- What were you doing?
- I had been an environmentalist all my life but was just awakening to animal issues in the early 1990s. I was reading everything I could (Regan, Singer, Mason) and becoming familiar with the various organizations to evaluate where I fit best.
- What were the major issues in 1995?
- Really all the same issues as today: fur, food animals, research.
- What are the positive developments in last 25 years in animal law, policy or welfare?
- There have been huge developments. Animal law is now taught in many law schools, and there are numerous human-animal study courses offered. Companion animal status has been greatly elevated with developments such as companion animals as beneficiaries of trusts, awards for non-economic damages for death or injury to a companion animal, and the further advancement and solidification of their status as members of the family. Some restrictions on research for more superficial purposes like cosmetics have been implemented. And research on great apes has been reduced.
- What are the negatives?
- The treatment of food animals has not advanced as much as we would like. There have been very successful ballot initiatives in various states and corporations are somewhat improving conditions based on consumer demand. However, the treatment of food animals is still deplorable and the few regulations we do have are not being enforced.
- What did we learn in the last 25 years?
- The advancement of animal rights and protection is much more difficult than other social justice movements. It is much more difficult to convince someone of rights for another species – especially when change means individual change in what one eats and wears. It is much easier to accept vague rights for minorities, gays, women, etc. than for animals when acknowledging those rights means we need to individually change.
- Looking toward the future, what are your predictions for:
- 5 years (2025): A huge surge in the popularity of plant based foods (meat alternatives)
- 10 years (2030): A possible surge in lab cultured meat but if the popularity of plant based foods continues, there may be reduced public demand for actual meat.
- 25 years (2045): Either a population that has evolved to protect our environment and all beings on the planet or a world of ecological devastation, scarcity, and war for natural resources.
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