The Animal Legal Defense Fund was founded in  1979 with a mission of protecting lives and advancing animals’ interests through legal efforts.  Working to strengthen anti-cruelty laws, filing groundbreaking lawsuits, providing public education and outreach, supporting the future of animal law with student animal legal defense fund chapters and an innovative Animal Law Program, resources, and other work, the ALDF offers an incredible range of projects aimed at making tangible legal gains for animals.

Whether helping communities develop solutions that are dog specific and moving “beyond breed specific” responses to aggression, or shining a light on violence, prevention, ALDF is at the forefront of improving the lives of animals through legal gains.  Like the significant moment establishing “goldfish as animals,” ALDF in once case provided “a reminder that for a community to effectively address interpersonal violence, it must have tools which allow it to focus on the conduct of the abusers and not be distracted by the social status of the victims” (ALDF).  Check out the many victories ALDF has led with their important work!

ALDF programs and campaigns work from local and state levels to national efforts to  advance animal interests.  ALDF offers lots of ways to get involved and stay connected to their groundbreaking work.  You can get active through action alerts and petitions ; stay informed by following current news and events; and  shop for the cause, where you’ll find one of a kind items to help raise awareness- like Dogs in Hot Cars materials (from sunshades to window clings!).  ALDF also provides tools and tips to sharpen animal advocacy skills when communicating to law enforcement, legislators, the public, or others, so you can make the most impact when speaking up about issues that matter most to you.  For parents, the ALDF also launched a “Young Advocate Action Kit” with resources for the budding activists and lawyers in your household.  All the incredible projects at ALDF promote greater understanding and improved lives, and the ALDF continues its work with the dedication of thousands of attorneys and more than 200,000 members and supporters.