Legal advocacy
Using the law to advance
animal protection.
Photo by David Iliff. License: cc-by-sa 3.0
WATCH VIDEO
PUTTING THE LAW ON
THE SIDE OF ANIMALS
Animal Equality works to advance animal protection by ensuring that existing laws and regulations are strictly enforced.
Advocating
for a better future
Despite there being few and inadequate laws and regulations protecting farmed animals around the world, Animal Equality works to secure stronger protections that benefit farmed animals in countries all around the world.
In jurisdictions where we find laws to be insufficient, Animal Equality submits proposals for new legislation, based upon recommendations by leading animal welfare experts, to improve the lives of farmed animals. These recommendations are then often adopted by governments. We often collaborate with Senators, MPs, and other officials to influence government policy.
SEEKING JUSTICE
FOR ANIMALS
Thanks to our investigations department, Animal Equality holds individuals and companies accountable for the abuse and neglect of farmed animals.
Our work has resulted in historic convictions of workers for acts of cruelty and neglect committed against animals, investigations of animal agriculture facilities by local authorities, and the closure of slaughterhouses, farms, and meat markets around the world.
PETITIONING FOR
POSITIVE CHANGE
Animal Equality generates public awareness and channels support for legal changes through petitions, calling on governments to enact positive changes for farmed animals. In the United States, Animal Equality’s supporters have taken action to demand Congress end USDA’s effort to relax rules and regulations around animal slaughter, and efforts are ongoing in several states to outlaw extra cruel forms of confinement for hens, mother pigs, and baby cows.
THE NUMBERS
CURRENT LEGAL CAMPAIGNS
Farmed animals receive few legal protections and those that exist are rarely enforced. Animal Equality campaigns to ensure animals are protected under the law and that those who abuse them are held responsible.
PROTECTING DECADES OF ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS
Animals face an uncertain future as Congress considers a Farm Bill that puts the lives of millions of cows, pigs and chickens at risk of extreme suffering. The Farm Bill comes around once every five years. It allows Congress to improve our food system and the lives of animals. But in the House, Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson recently shared his intention to pass a version that could wipe our decades of animal protection laws.
ENDING THE EXPORTATION & SLAUGHTER OF AMERICAN HORSES
Animal Equality is fighting against the continued exportation and slaughter of American horses in Mexico and Canada. We are working alongside fellow animal protection organizations and politicians to urge the US Government to place a permanent ban on this practice, which the majority of Americans oppose.
SUPPORTING THE SAFE ACT FOR HORSES
The Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act (SAFE Act) would federally ban horse slaughter in the U.S., as well as the export of American horses abroad for slaughter. Animal Equality has joined the coalition supporting the SAFE Act and the end to horse slaughter.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Animal agriculture is a cruel industry that abuses animals. With your support, Animal Equality is fighting for justice for farmed animals around the world.
Numerous States Pass Laws Protecting over 20 Million Hens Per Year
As part of a coalition, Animal Equality helped pass laws in the states of Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona to ban the egg industry’s confinement of hens in cages and to require enrichments in their new cage-free environments that allow the hens to engage in natural behaviors like perching and dust-bathing. Upon taking effect, the new laws will also require any eggs sold within the states to be produced under conditions that meet these standards.
Historic Initiative in Mexico
In response to the findings of Animal Equality’s investigation into Jalisco’s slaughterhouses and after a year of campaigning in the Mexican state, Jalisco’s Congress voted for legislation which now decrees that cruelty against farmed animals in the state is now a crime. The historic initiative, originally presented by deputy Salvador Caro Cabrera, makes cruelty to farmed animals a crime punishable by up to 4 years in prison and prevents those found guilty of working with farmed animals for 3 years. In the case of a repeat crime, it also bars abusers from working with animals again.
Prevent Cruelty California
Animal Equality was part of a coalition of farmed animal protection groups that succeeded in establishing more rigorous farmed animal welfare laws in California. The Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act will help free millions of animals from cages and gives California some of the most advanced farmed animal welfare protections in the world.
Helped secure passage of Question 3 in Massachusetts
Animal Equality was part of a coalition that helped pass Question 3 in Massachusetts. This initiative helps prevent cruelty by eliminating extreme methods of farmed animal confinement on facilities that raise animals for food. The measure passed with more than 78% of the vote supporting protections for animals.
GOVERNMENT ADOPTS ANIMAL EQUALITY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Based upon Animal Equality’s investigative findings, the Law Commission of India stated that it will be adopting Animal Equality’s recommendations to improve animal welfare.
HISTORIC SENTENCING
IN EL ESCOBAR
Following a 2012 Animal Equality investigation, a Spanish court gave farm workers a historic sentence for their involvement in cruelty towards animals. The men received a one-year prison sentence and have been banned from working with animals for three years.
A BAN ON
BULL CART RACING
In 2014, the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgment banning bullock cart races and all performances of bulls throughout the country, thanks in part to the work of Animal Equality in India.
SHUT DOWN:
HARLING PIG FARM
In 2012, After an intensive two-month undercover investigation which provided a shocking look into the British pig meat industry, two farm workers were convicted of cruelty to animals and the Harling Farm was shut down.
REDUCING ANIMAL SACRIFICE AT GADHIMAI FESTIVAL
Animal Equality campaigned for years to end the cruel sacrifice at one of Nepal’s largest festivals, which takes place every five years. In 2014, our efforts led to a 70% reduction of the animals killed.
It was the exceptional efforts of Animal Equality that contributed to the passage of my initiative with an overwhelming majority.”
What can I do to help?
JOIN THE ANIMAL PROTECTORS
Animal Equality’s dedicated network of Animal Protectors takes action to help farmed animals around the world. Sign up and start helping animals today!
