Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

At the University of Pennsylvania Law School

Founded in 1979 by attorneys, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is a national non-profit organization with hundreds of lawyers and over one-hundred thousand members. ALDF works toward enhancing the welfare and legal status of all non-human animals by (a) participating in litigation to protect the interests of particular animals or groups of animals and (b) advocating legislative reforms to change the status of animals within the legal system. ALDF also engages in education and outreach efforts, maintains databases of animal abuse crimes and laws, and supports over 50 student chapters.

Our chapter, the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at the University of Pennsylvania, is dedicated to three chief goals:

1. educating the University of Pennsylvania Law School community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse;
2. fostering awareness about means of combating this abuse through litigation; and
3. providing opportunities for students to work with attorneys on litigation projects aimed at protecting the lives and interests of animals.

Our SALDF chapter has recently been reborn and plans such activities as: hosting speakers, debates, and conferences on current issues in animal rights and animal welfare law; carrying out research projects for lawyers and networking with students at other law schools who are pursuing interests in animal rights and animal welfare law; conducting educational events such as information tables and video screenings on pertinent issues; leafleting; participating in local events such as marches and boycotts regarding pertinent issues; and advocating on behalf of vegetarian/vegan students at University of Pennsylvania Law School.

For more information, please visit ALDF.org.

Links: ALDF.org | NYU SALDF