Mission

The mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

What We Do

Founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law, ALDF has blazed the trail for stronger enforcement of anti-cruelty laws and more humane treatment of animals in every corner of American life. Today, ALDF’s groundbreaking efforts to push the U.S. legal system to end the suffering of abused animals are supported by thousands of dedicated attorneys and more than 100,000 members. Every day, ALDF works to protect animals by:

*Filing groundbreaking lawsuits to stop animal abuse and expand the boundaries of animal law.
*Providing free legal assistance to prosecutors handling cruelty cases.
*Working to strengthen state anti-cruelty statutes.
*Encouraging the federal government to enforce existing animal protection laws.
*Nurturing the future of animal law through Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapters and our Animal Law Program.
*Providing public education through seminars, workshops and other outreach efforts.

In addition to our national headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Animal Legal Defense Fund maintains an office in Portland, Oregon.