Our Hen House

The Tom Regan Animal Rights Archive

Posted on05. Sep, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

For anyone doing scholarly work regarding animals, or the history of the animal rights movement, the Tom Regan Animal Rights Archive looks to be an invaluable resource. The archive is located at North Carolina State University, in Raliegh, North Carolina, …

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101 Reasons

Posted on02. Sep, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Years ago, when I was first getting interested in animal issues, I was lucky enough to come upon a pamphlet entitled, “101 Reasons Why I’m a Vegetarian.” It contained a wealth of information regarding the health, environmental, and animal suffering …

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Milking an Audience

Posted on29. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It seems like every day we hear about another new movie highlighting an issue of importance to animal advocates.

Making a movie is a huge undertaking, with detail upon detail to be dealt with. Like everything worth doing, it’s a …

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The National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse

Posted on26. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Most of us remember the days when prosecutors, with a few notable exceptions, were willing, even eager, to ignore animal abuse cases. Fortunately, a shift has started in some district attorneys’s offices, and animal cases are being treated with increasing …

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Educating the Educators

Posted on25. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Undergraduate offerings in animal studies are still few and far between, so we were pleased to hear of a summer course that was just completed at George Mason University in animal rights and humane education.  If we are going to …

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Madonna of the Mills on HBO

Posted on22. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

There are a lot of movies popping up that are bringing the word about what’s happening to animals to mainstream audiences. But not too many of them are making it on to HBO.

We were therefore so excited to hear …

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Nutrition Facts are Coming, and We Can’t Wait!

Posted on16. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

We could not be more excited about Dr. Michael Greger’s new project, Nutrition Facts. If you go to the site, you will see that it is incredibly informative. In particular, the large assortment of quick, easy, and fact-filled videos …

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A Better World, A Meaningful Life

Posted on10. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

The Institute for Humane Education is one of the most valuable resources out there for people who want to change the world for animals. Perhaps, though, while you are glad they are there for those who want to get a …

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House of Beasts

Posted on08. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

If you are going to be anywhere near Shropshire, England next February, you need to make plans to attend what sounds like a very cool event at Attingham Park. Entitled House of Beasts, it will include a symposium …

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Chutki’s Experiences

Posted on29. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Any animal lawyer knows that passing effective laws protecting animals, while hard enough in and of itself, is only the first step. An even greater challenge comes in getting those laws enforced and informing people of their obligations under the …

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Walking (and Walking, and Walking…) for Farmed Animals

Posted on28. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

I love our community. In the face of unspeakable horror, and the completely inexplicable failure of the self-proclaimed animal-loving public to bring themselves to care about what’s going on with farmed animals, people in the animal protection community just keep …

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The Haymarket Squares take over KFC (and our hearts)

Posted on27. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

We have to admit that we love flash mob musicals. From the ridiculous to the sublime, we love them all. In fact, it is our fondest dream to one day actually be in the place that Improv Everywhere, …

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Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition

Posted on21. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

T. Colin Campbell knows a hell of a lot about plant based nutrition. And, luckily for all of us, he doesn’t have any interest in keeping that knowledge to himself. In fact, at the moment he is all the rage. …

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Call For Papers: “Redefining Social Welfare: Connections Across Species”

Posted on20. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare has issued a call for papers for a special issue entitled “Redefining Social Welfare: Connections Across Species.” This looks like an exciting opportunity, since it is clear that the Journal is …

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Animal Think Tank Launched

Posted on14. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

An exciting new venture which has the potential to do important work for animals has been launched in England. The Institute for Animals and Social Justice will be a think tank dedicated to promoting the interests of animals with policy …

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Veg Speed Dating

Posted on08. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Ever speed dated? It’s not for the faint of heart in the best of circumstances. Trying to get to know if you’re interested in someone in 3 minutes can be daunting. Add to that the necessity of wasting most of …

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Suicide Food

Posted on06. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

I love Suicide Food.  The blog, that is, not the “food” itself.

The incredibly clever Ben Grossblatt has focused, with admirable single-mindedness, on one common ploy of meat-eaters and those who cater to them. We’ve all seen it, and …

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Minding Animals, Round 2

Posted on15. Jun, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

The series of conferences known as “Minding Animals,” is one of the most important signs that academic interest in animal issues is being taken seriously on an international level. The first conference took place in Australia in 2009 …

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What a Nuisance! (Or, How to Sue A Factory Farm)

Posted on30. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Last week’s victory in the California lawsuit brought by HSUS on behalf of neighbors of a Central Valley egg farm breathed new life into the prospect for using the law of nuisance against factory farms.

There is certainly no question …

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Fospice

Posted on18. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Fostering a homeless animal is always a form of changemaking. Just by the act of taking an animal into your home, sharing your world, and offering your care, you are making a statement. And by being willing to give that …

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Call for Papers from the Journal of Animal Ethics

Posted on09. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Scholarly work regarding animals and the relationships humans have with them continues to explode. One of the most exciting new contributions to the field is the Journal of Animal Ethics, which is a joint project of the University of …

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The Animals of Japan

Posted on03. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

People who care about animals truly form a worldwide community. There is not the least doubt in my mind that I feel more of a connection to animal lovers in parts of the world I have never visited, speaking languages …

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Going to a Conference This Year? Try One Online.

Posted on02. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Animal rights conferences are something that so many of us look forward to. They are, in many ways, a staple in our community, allowing us a chance to connect with like-minded people, learn about better ways of advocating for animals, …

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Animal Law Summer School

Posted on19. Apr, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Once again I wish I could be in Portland, Oregon this summer for another of the offerings of the Center for Animal Law Studies at  Lewis and Clark Law School. Yet again, the Center will be presenting what looks to …

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Studying Human-Animal Relations, In Person AND ONLINE!!

Posted on18. Apr, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Canisius College in Buffalo, New York is really taking a leadership role in the academic examination of animals and society. The school has so many different aspects to its animal studies program that it has created an Institute for the …

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Political Animals

Posted on11. Apr, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It’s just possible that you are a bit dissatisfied with the work of elected officials at the moment. In fact, it sometimes seems like we elect the dopiest people we know to lead us. What’s the solution to this crazy …

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What’s Going on at Wesleyan?

Posted on16. Feb, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

I was excited to see that Connecticut’s Wesleyan University is now offering an animal studies program. Though not yet a minor, (unlike the program at New York University, which will be instituting its minor in animal studies next …

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Tools for Making the Health Argument (and for Losing a Few Pounds)

Posted on24. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Whenever I decide to get on top of things health-wise, which generally involves losing some weight, I get a new book. It’s just so helpful to have that book to turn to for advice and support during what is inevitably …

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Animal Law Scholarships

Posted on19. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Here’s an exciting opportunity for law students. Now is the time to apply for next year’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships. These are significant scholarships, offering $2500 for 2Ls  and part-time students, and $5000 for …

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The Animal Body, Critically Examined

Posted on12. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It’s always exciting to see academic conferences about animals in society, but perhaps even more important is when animal issues are incorporated into conferences that are not specifically focused on them. In that way, the issues reach so many more …

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Facebook Activism

Posted on10. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Social media presents all kind of opportunities, and sometimes it can make activism incredibly easy and armchair-based. As one example, activists in Miami concerned about the horrible conditions in their local shelter have targeted the mayor’s facebook page and have …

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Mid-Atlantic Animal Law Conference

Posted on07. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

I heard nothing but good things about last year’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Animal Law Conference, sponsored by the Animal Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, along with its various partners. If, like me, you missed it, check out …

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Need a Job?

Posted on05. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Looking for a job? Here’s a particularly cool one for the compassionate-minded. VegFund, which has provided funding for more grassroots animal-saving enterprises than you can imagine, is looking for a Video Outreach Program Manager.  You can do it …

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