Though Mariann is usually the one to tell you all about new animal law happenings, I couldn’t resist reporting on three resources that I’m particularly excited about. And as the resident non-lawyer of our relationship, the fact that these animal law tools float my fancy should be enough to make any non-lawyer (with an interest in animal rights) pay attention.
First, there’s Animal Legal Defense Fund’s collection of 30 Second Animal Law Videos. This series promises that “you can learn all about animal law, without the whopping student loans!” and that “you will get answers to your animal law related questions … in 30 seconds or less!” Perfect for today’s fast-paced, information-now culture, videos range from what to do if you suspect veterinary malpractice, to whether it’s legal to keep a tiger as a pet, to information on “why so many animal abusers only get a slap on the wrist.” Take 30 seconds (literally!) and watch a video that might change your life.
This is me speaking at last year’s Animal Law Conference. Click picture to watch the full presentation.
While we’re on the subject of ALDF, may I remind you that it’s high time to register for this year’s Animal Law Conference, happening October 25-27 at Stanford Law School. This conference is a collaboration between ALDF and Lewis & Clark Law School Center for Animal Law Studies (where Mariann was a visiting professor last fall). Mariann and I have been lucky enough to speak at this game-changing conference a few times, and a couple years ago we even devoted a super special podcast episode (#93) to it, featuring some of our fave speakers from the event on our show. The talk that we gave at last year’s conference, entitled Change the World for Animals, is actually viewable in its entirety, as are nearly all of the other talks from the conference. Isn’t it amazing, by the way, that the Animal Law Conference is made so accessible, even for those who can’t attend it in person? If you don’t feel like waiting for the videocast of the presentations for the 2013 conference, and you’re lucky enough to attend in person, then you’re in for a helluva weekend. The conference agenda is titillating, including topics such as Civil Legislative Solutions for Criminal Acts, How Business is Trending to Meat Alternatives, What Are Our Ethical Duties to Wildlife?, and The Intersection of Animal Law, Race, Gender and Class. Speaking from experience, even non-lawyers can get a lot out of this unique (and fun!) conference.
The final (for now) animal law resource I want to bring to your attention is the new legal research guide by Stefanie Perlman, Animals Confined for Human Benefit (Hein, 2012). This “overview of the primary and secondary sources in animal law research” appears to be more geared toward the lawyer rather than the, well, the Jasmins out there. But if you do have an interest or expertise in law and are thirsty for more of an understanding of the “many traditional areas of law” which make up animal law (“torts, contracts, domestic relations, trusts and estates and criminal law among them”), you might want to consider getting a copy of this book, which looks like it should provide a thorough introduction.There you have it. Videos, a conference, and a book. There’s something everyone can gain here — especially the animals.