Animal Legal Defense Fund
 |
|
| Founded | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | Animal rights |
| Location | |
|
Area served
|
North America |
| Method | Legal pursuit |
|
Members
|
100,000+ |
|
Key people
|
Joyce Tischler(co-founder), Stephen Wells (CEO) |
|
Revenue
|
$6,760,000 (2007) |
| Slogan | "Winning the case against cruelty" |
| Website | www.aldf.org |
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an American non-profit law organization that aims to protect the rights and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. It was founded in 1979, by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law. The ALDF has campaigned for stronger enforcement of anti-animal cruelty laws and more humane treatment of animals. Their activities include filing lawsuits, providing legal assistance to prosecutors handling cruelty cases, working to strengthen state anti-cruelty statutes and hosting seminars, workshops and other outreach efforts. In addition to their national headquarters in Cotati, California, the Animal Legal Defense Fund maintains an office in Portland, Oregon.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s primary programs include a litigation program, aimed at stopping the abuse of companion animals, and animals abused in industries including factory farming and the entertainment business; a criminal justice program, which assists law enforcement agencies and legal prosecutors in seeking maximum penalties for those who abuse animals; and an animal law program, to advance the field of animal law in law schools and among legal professionals.
ALDF has "hundreds of dedicated attorneys" that may bring suits themselves, or the organization may retain outside legal counsel. Their civil actions include filing amicus curiae briefs arguing the case for "recognition of the bonds between humans and nonhuman animals." The ALDF also awards grants to attorneys involved in animal-related cases, provides expert testimony and assists those seeking non-economic damages in cases involving death or injury of a companion animal.
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Wikipedia