The Future of Animal Law: Trends and Developments

Animal protection is a central feature of animal law. This concept goes beyond preventing cruelty. It involves ensuring animals have a good quality of life and are in a positive state of welfare. Some recent trends in animal law are as follows:

Many countries are advancing animal protection legislation, including by explicitly recognizing animals as sentient beings. The European Union, for example, has comprehensive laws regulating the treatment of animals in various industries, and in 2024, Belgium became the most recent EU Member State to recognize animal sentience in its constitution. In the U.S., states like California have passed laws aiming to set higher standards for farmed animal welfare, while Oregon explicitly recognizes animals as sentient beings capable of expressing pain, stress and fear. New legislative advances play a crucial role in shaping the future of animal law and animal protection. 

Food system reform, including phasing out the consumption of animal-based foods coupled with advancements in lab-grown and alternative proteins, has the potential to significantly benefit animals in agriculture. These legal and technological developments could reduce the demand for industrial animal agriculture, thereby decreasing the number of animals subjected to intensive farming practices. For example, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors recently adopted a motion calling for the promotion of a plant-based menu. Furthermore, in 2023, U.S. regulators approved the sale of cell-cultivated meat in the United States for the first time. 

By encouraging the production and consumption of plant-based foods and alternatives to animal sourced foods, these reforms not only reduce farmed animal suffering, but also help to minimize the environmental impact of animal agriculture and promote more sustainable eating habits. Additionally, the development of lab-grown and alternative protein meats could offer cruelty-free options that replicate the taste and nutritional benefits of conventional meat without the associated animal suffering. As a result, these reforms can pave the way for a more humane and ethical food system.

Animal protection laws are quite diverse, applying to companion animals, as well as other categories of animals including aquatic animals, wildlife, farmed animals, and animals used in research. The scope of these laws is broadening to reflect the intrinsic worth of all animals. As a leader in the field of animal law education, Lewis & Clark Law’s animal law curriculum covers new and exciting developments in the field of animal law, preparing students to advocate for all animals. A few of our focus areas include the following:

With humans encroaching on wild spaces and the habitat for wild animals constantly shrinking, many wild animal species are in precipitous decline. Phenomena such as poaching, hunting, habitat destruction and climate change create a need for stronger legal frameworks. International agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulate human activities such as the trade of endangered animals, thereby playing a crucial role in wild animal protection. Our Global Wild Animal Law course taught by Professor Erica Lyman, as well as International Animal Law taught by Professor Raj Reddy provide in-depth knowledge of these international frameworks, empowering students to work on a global scale.

More than 10 billion animals are raised for food each year in the United States alone, while trillions of aquatic animals are caught from the wild or farmed for human consumption. Furthermore, new forms of animal farming, such as insect farming, pose unique threats to animals who have not previously been subjected to intensive farming in the United States. As such, the treatment of farmed animals is a major concern in animal law.

Animal advocates call for laws promoting the end of factory farming and the promotion of better welfare practices in animal agriculture. Students in the online LLM and MSL programs can learn more about how to advocate for farmed animals through courses such as Industrial Animal Agriculture Law taught by Professor Joyce Tischler and by Professor Hira Jaleel, and Aquatic Animal Law, also aught by Professor Jaleel. Additionally, students interested in learning more about the emerging area of insect law, can opt for the Emerging Topics in Animal Law (Insect Law) course taught by Professor Raj Reddy.

The use of animals in medical and scientific research raises ethical questions. While animal testing has historically been considered indispensable for scientific advancement, there is a growing movement to find alternatives and to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research and testing. This area of animal law involves formulating new laws as well as using existing laws to creatively advance protections for animals. The Law & Ethics of Animal Testing course, co-taught by Professors Paul Locke & Rebecca Critser, delves into this important area of potential animal protection. 

Animal law is a multifaceted area that intersects broadly with other legal fields and social movements. As such, animal law advocates and scholars are increasingly adopting a holistic approach, examining how various tools and actors can better protect animals. One such tool is the media, which can significantly influence public perception and advocacy efforts.

The course Emerging Topics (Animals, the Law, and Modern Media), taught by Dean Pamela Byce, delves into how modern media portrays animals, affects their lives, and shapes animal advocacy. Another vital area of intersection is the role of veterinarians in advancing animal welfare laws. The course Emerging Topics in Animal Law (Veterinary Animal Law), taught by Professor Megan Senatori, explores the pivotal influence of the veterinary profession on law and policy related to animal protection. By integrating these diverse perspectives, the field of animal law continues to evolve and expand, driving more comprehensive and effective protections for animals.

The future of animal law is promising, with many trends and developments on the horizon. As our understanding of animal welfare and protection evolves, so will the legal landscape. Through legislative advances, using technology to shape the future of animal protection, and incorporating a more interdisciplinary approach towards animal law, we can build a future where animals are treated with respect and care. CALS’ online Animal Law MSL and LLM programs are at the forefront of this field, preparing students to lead and drive positive change in animal law.