This document provides an overview of the history and development of the modern animal rights movement from the 1970s to present day. It discusses key events and publications that helped launch the movement, such as Peter Singer's book Animal Liberation in 1975 and the Silver Spring Monkeys case in 1981. It also outlines the growing acceptance and institutionalization of animal law in recent decades through the establishment of animal law courses, organizations, and legal frameworks. Throughout, it emphasizes the impact that committed individuals and small groups can have in driving positive change for animals.

1. Valerie Lang Waldin, J.D., M.L.S.Valerie Lang Waldin, J.D., M.L.S.
Winter/Spring 2015Winter/Spring 2015
Making a Difference for Animals:Making a Difference for Animals:
What One Person Can DoWhat One Person Can Do

3. 20062006
 Duke University School of Law hostsDuke University School of Law hosts
conference on Animal Law:conference on Animal Law:
 Dean Katharine Bartlett opens conferenceDean Katharine Bartlett opens conference
with short address:with short address:
 Future generations will look back on our treatmentFuture generations will look back on our treatment
of animals with shame… the time is ripe forof animals with shame… the time is ripe for
dramatic changes in Animal Law…dramatic changes in Animal Law…

4. The future is not so far off.The future is not so far off.

6. Birth of a MovementBirth of a Movement
 Many people consider theMany people consider the
modern animal rightsmodern animal rights
movement to have begun inmovement to have begun in
1975 with a publication by1975 with a publication by
Australian philosopher PeterAustralian philosopher Peter
Singer.Singer.

7. Animal Liberation - 1975Animal Liberation - 1975
Written by philosopher Peter Singer in 1975,Written by philosopher Peter Singer in 1975, Animal LiberationAnimal Liberation
approached animal rights from a utilitarian perspective- he thoughtapproached animal rights from a utilitarian perspective- he thought
that the greatest good for the greatest number should include goodthat the greatest good for the greatest number should include good
for animals, asfor animals, as they feel pain and experience pleasure as we dothey feel pain and experience pleasure as we do..

8. Silver Spring Monkeys - 1981Silver Spring Monkeys - 1981
 In 1981, PETA's founders participated in the case that launched theIn 1981, PETA's founders participated in the case that launched the
animal rights movement in America. This case, alleging cruelty andanimal rights movement in America. This case, alleging cruelty and
mistreatment of laboratory animals, eventually reached themistreatment of laboratory animals, eventually reached the
Supreme Court.Supreme Court.
 The Silver Spring monkeys were subjects in deafferentation research- they had nerves severed in theirThe Silver Spring monkeys were subjects in deafferentation research- they had nerves severed in their
limbs, which then atrophied. The monkeys lived in filthy conditions. The researcher, Dr. Taub, waslimbs, which then atrophied. The monkeys lived in filthy conditions. The researcher, Dr. Taub, was
convicted of several counts of cruelty, which were overturned on technicalities. The AR community foughtconvicted of several counts of cruelty, which were overturned on technicalities. The AR community fought
for years for custody of the remaining monkeys, but never won it. Eventually, all the operated monkeysfor years for custody of the remaining monkeys, but never won it. Eventually, all the operated monkeys
were killed at a primate research facility, while the control group which had never been experimented onwere killed at a primate research facility, while the control group which had never been experimented on
went to the San Diego Zoo.went to the San Diego Zoo.

9. Summer 1990Summer 1990
March for the AnimalsMarch for the Animals
10,000 people10,000 people
Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.

10. 19991999
First law school class inFirst law school class in
Animal LawAnimal Law
(Harvard)(Harvard)

12. Hello Animal LawHello Animal Law
 150 law schools150 law schools
 Undergraduate studiesUndergraduate studies
 Animal law reviewsAnimal law reviews
 Attorneys in private practiceAttorneys in private practice
 Bar associationsBar associations
 ListservsListservs

13.  Bob Barker has helped this process alongBob Barker has helped this process along
to date by giving at least 8 law schoolsto date by giving at least 8 law schools
and theand the
Drury University Forum on Animal RightsDrury University Forum on Animal Rights
approximately $10 million to promote theapproximately $10 million to promote the
study of animal ethics and law.study of animal ethics and law.
 HVCC Animal Policy certificateHVCC Animal Policy certificate

14. ……an unusual topican unusual topic
 Visual natureVisual nature
 While I try not to offend students withWhile I try not to offend students with
graphic pictures, exposure to animals ingraphic pictures, exposure to animals in
negative situations is essential for manynegative situations is essential for many
students to begin to understand the naturestudents to begin to understand the nature
of the issues.of the issues.

15.  There is a moral and emotionalThere is a moral and emotional
component to this topic which should becomponent to this topic which should be
recognized and dealt with directly.recognized and dealt with directly.

16.  There may be hunters and animal rightsThere may be hunters and animal rights
advocates in this same room.advocates in this same room.

17.  I promise you I will try to build bridges withI promise you I will try to build bridges with
you, and respect your positions onyou, and respect your positions on
controversial issues.controversial issues.
 But please also know it is virtually impossibleBut please also know it is virtually impossible
to develop and teach a class like this, and doto develop and teach a class like this, and do
what I do, andwhat I do, and notnot find some practices andfind some practices and
laws unjustifiable.laws unjustifiable.

18. Fueled by Reality = ChangeFueled by Reality = Change
You can read 20 pages about the fur industry but a video will haveYou can read 20 pages about the fur industry but a video will have
a more profound impact for those of you who have never seen thea more profound impact for those of you who have never seen the
conditions being written about.conditions being written about.

19. ChallengesChallenges

20.  Lawyers who work for big agribusiness, theLawyers who work for big agribusiness, the
biomedical industry, the fur & clothing industry,biomedical industry, the fur & clothing industry,
the entertainment industry, and criminal defensethe entertainment industry, and criminal defense
lawyers in generallawyers in general
 Lack of protection for farm animalsLack of protection for farm animals
 Federal protection is pretty much non-existent.Federal protection is pretty much non-existent.
 State laws simply do not protect farm animals.State laws simply do not protect farm animals.

21. You will probably be veryYou will probably be very
surprised by howsurprised by how littlelittle thethe
USA’s laws protect farmUSA’s laws protect farm
animals.animals.

23. And More Challenges…And More Challenges…
 Municipal (city, county) ordinances rarelyMunicipal (city, county) ordinances rarely
deal with animal hoardersdeal with animal hoarders
 Disinterested or uneducated police andDisinterested or uneducated police and
district attorneysdistrict attorneys
 People who think animal rights activistsPeople who think animal rights activists
are wackoare wacko
 And so much more…And so much more…

24. You are needed:You are needed:
……to be educated and to educate.to be educated and to educate.

25. And you …And you …
 ……present or future leaders, humanepresent or future leaders, humane
educators, moms and dads, concernededucators, moms and dads, concerned
citizens, cowboys, lobbyists , nannies,citizens, cowboys, lobbyists , nannies,
nurses, cops, presidents and regular folks,nurses, cops, presidents and regular folks,
need basic training, guidance andneed basic training, guidance and
encouragement.encouragement.

26. Making a DifferenceMaking a Difference

27. If animals are your
thing, listen to it.

28. Don’t get stuck in a desk job if you
were meant to do something else.

29. When we work together, the obstacles aren’t as big as we see them.

30. Rules of
engagemen
t
Be kind to each other.

31. We can butt heads.

33. WARNING
The next few slides are graphic and
disturbing.
Ignorance is not bliss, and a dose of reality is
needed when it comes to animals,
because they can’t tell us what’s going on.

34. There are
dumb
people out
there. Or
maybe
they are
lazy. But
it’s

35. We can’t get
inside people’s
heads and know
why they
do these things,
but we have a
pretty
good idea.

36. It’s up to us to make them
accountable.
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do
everything,
I will not refuse to do the
something that I can do. Edward
Everett Hale (3 April 1822 – 10 June 1909),

37. The animals can’t.

38. The animal cruelty laws need to be enforced and in some cases, made
tougher.

39. Animal
fighting
is brutal,
and there
is a lot
more to it
than a
little dog
fight.
And it’s a
felony.

40. The Unquestionable LinkThe Unquestionable Link
Every serial killer on record began with
animals. Every one.

41. Animal HoardersAnimal Hoarders
Not everyone is purposely cruel, but it’s
still cruel.

42. Puppy MillsPuppy Mills
Don’t buy from
puppy stores.

43. Our majestic horses deserve a better end
than this.

45. They need their fur more than
we do.

46. Don’t be fooled by the factory
farming industry.
"Few will ... bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a
small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be
written the history of this generation." Robert F. Kennedy

47. Your
voice
does
matter.
Things
CAN
change.

48. Undercover work really CAN make a difference. But we can’t relax and
think someone else is doing it. Organizations that do this work need

49. Take time out to recharge your batteries – it’s a marathon,
not a sprint.

50. When you’re
walking down the
street, look
straight ahead
and then look
back. Chances
are, by the end of
this class, you
will know more
about what goes
on and what to do
about it than the
people you see.

51. I hope
you will
think
back on
the class
as, at
least,
eye-
opening.

52. And not just
when it
comes to cats
and dogs.

53. It is 2015; it is time.

54. Elephants are reported to be
virtually as intelligent as
dolphins. Elephants cry. Being
in a circus hurts. The choices
you make and what you support
matters.

56. You will know what the animals
have known all along – and it’s
got to change.

57. But
change
doesn’t
happen
until
people
are
ready
for it.
The
animals
are
ready,
though,
and they
have
been.

58. Think
globally
, act
locally.

59. Kids learn what they live. Question authority, because just because it’s
always been done that way doesn’t mean it should stay that way.

60. Maybe you will look at things differently after this class,
maybe you won’t.

61. The animals are ready, they have been ready.

62. And we better not let them down.

63. Earthlings: Make the ConnectionEarthlings: Make the Connection
Full DocumentaryFull Documentary

64. Mahatma
Gandhi said,
“The
greatness of a
nation and
its moral
progress can
be judged by
the way its
animals are
treated.” We
can do better.

65. HopeHope

66. Some would say what we do to the animals is similar to the
Holocaust. Or slavery. Or other injustices. We’ve been here before.

67. The
incredible
thing is,
animals
are
forgiving.
Even after
everything
humans
have done
to them,
they
forgive.

69. We need good people in this field and even more
importantly, educated, persistent citizens.

70. With
everything
else we face
every day,
humans
sometimes
need a wake up

71. 15 or 20 years ago, Michael Vick would not have seen a prison cell.
Prosecutors would have been laughed at. Things are changing.

72. Tom Brady
and Lua

73. Eddie Lama
had to take
action when he
learned about
how the fur
industry
works, and
what happens to
the animals.
This 3 pack-a-
day Camel
smoking
Brooklyn dude
had a life
change. The
way he put – “A
miracle is a
change in
perception.” He

76. Maybe you will look at things
differently after this class,
maybe you won’t.

88. November 2014 – Voters in
Rensselaer County elect Joel
Abelove as District Attorney.
Joel has successfully prosecuted
many animal cruelty cases,
including the state’s first case
of Buster’s Law, which brought
harsher consequences for
animal abuse.

90. Never doubt
that a small
group of
thoughtful,
committed
citizens can
change the
world; indeed,
it's the only
thing that ever
has.
– Margaret
Mead

93. There are answers if we
look for them, or even
better, create them.

97. Advocating
for better
laws and
knowing
HOW to
advocate
for better
laws DOES
make a
difference.

98. Watch for New
York.

101. The power
of
networkin
g

102. Each of you has a voice, a say in where this country goes
and what matters to you.
New York mandates humane education at the elementary school level

103. Next10987654321
Next
10987654321
Next
10987654321

104. Just reach inside
yourself to that
good place, because
it’s in every one of
you.

105. What can I do today?What can I do today?
 Join Julie Tanner’s Capital Region Animal Cruelty listservJoin Julie Tanner’s Capital Region Animal Cruelty listserv..
 Email Julie atEmail Julie at julenya@nycap.rr.comjulenya@nycap.rr.com. Tell her you are in my class and you want to be on. Tell her you are in my class and you want to be on
her distribution list.her distribution list.
 Call Assemblyman Bill Magee – 518.455.4807Call Assemblyman Bill Magee – 518.455.4807.. He is the Chairman of theHe is the Chairman of the
Agriculture Committee, and to date he has not allowed a bill to move forward, which would moveAgriculture Committee, and to date he has not allowed a bill to move forward, which would move
the anti-cruelty laws from Agriculture and Markets Law to the Penal Law.the anti-cruelty laws from Agriculture and Markets Law to the Penal Law.
 New York State Police learn the Penal Law when they go through the Academy.New York State Police learn the Penal Law when they go through the Academy.
 Tell him that you want him to bring bill A-352 (which would put the laws into the PL) up for aTell him that you want him to bring bill A-352 (which would put the laws into the PL) up for a
vote in Ag. Committee. Pass this along to as many people as you can and ask them to dovote in Ag. Committee. Pass this along to as many people as you can and ask them to do
the same.the same.
 Believe. Look at 2014 animal victories.Believe. Look at 2014 animal victories.

106. Wrap-UpWrap-Up
 Never doubt that a small group ofNever doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can changethoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing thatthe world; indeed, it's the only thing that
ever has.ever has.
 Margaret MeadMargaret Mead

107. What I’ve LearnedWhat I’ve Learned
 You can’t do everything, but that’s notYou can’t do everything, but that’s not
reason to not try. Find your balance.reason to not try. Find your balance.

108. What I’ve LearnedWhat I’ve Learned
 Supporting organizations already inSupporting organizations already in
existence [that share your views]existence [that share your views] worksworks. If. If
there aren’t any, create them.there aren’t any, create them.
 Locally NYSHALocally NYSHA

109. What I’ve LearnedWhat I’ve Learned
 Pick yourself up.Pick yourself up. Never give up. Never.Never give up. Never.

110. What I’ve LearnedWhat I’ve Learned
 It takes time. But it’s happening.It takes time. But it’s happening.
 Write letters. Visit legislators. Be heard.Write letters. Visit legislators. Be heard.
But…But…
 Know the issues and know the law.Know the issues and know the law.
 Know who to call.Know who to call.
 Know when to back off.Know when to back off.

111. What I’ve LearnedWhat I’ve Learned
 Most people will be glad you started something.Most people will be glad you started something.
People want this. And for those who don’t, youPeople want this. And for those who don’t, you
control what you can control.control what you can control.