Our Hen House

Staying on Top of Animal Law

Posted on12. Jan, 2012 by Mariann Sullivan.

If you’re a lawyer or law student interested in animal law, you know that it is one of the fastest growing, and rapidly changing, fields of legal scholarship. It’s hard to keep up sometimes. And even if you’re not interested…

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Wallet-Friendly Webinars for Those Who Want to Change the World for Animals

Posted on10. Jan, 2012 by Jasmin Singer.

There are some intriguing webinars on the horizon that anyone who cares about animals needs to take note of. First, our friends over at Vegan Mainstream are offering some very compelling upcoming webinars that we should all make…

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Clear Your Schedule: Animal Law Conference Publishes Videos of Workshops

Posted on09. Jan, 2012 by Jasmin Singer.

Last October, Mariann and I had the honor of speaking at the Lewis & Clark Animal Law Conference in Portland, OR. In case you missed it, we even devoted an entire podcast episode to the conference (episode 93…

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Call for Papers: The Vulnerability of Animals

Posted on06. Jan, 2012 by Mariann Sullivan.

There is a deeply intriguing interdisciplinary project at Emory University, known as the Vulnerability and Human Condition Initiative.  It explores our shared vulnerability and the unequal resources different individuals have in our society to confront that vulnerability, and “insists…

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Something New for 2012: Help Change the Law!

Posted on05. Jan, 2012 by Sally Tamarkin.

I never make New Year’s resolutions. Not because I don’t believe in them, or have some strong opinion about whether or not they’re worth my time. I sort of just always… forget. Or I don’t get around to it. Or…

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2012 May Just Be the Year to Teach

Posted on04. Jan, 2012 by Mariann Sullivan.

Our society is designed to keep people in the dark about what is happening to animals. Only those who really care take the time and make the effort to learn the facts. If you care about animals (and, since you’re…

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Job Week at Our Hen House: Day 5 — PETA, Anyone?

Posted on30. Dec, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

As Job Week here at Our Hen House comes to a close, we want to conclude with an animal rights organization that has perhaps more job openings than the rest of the movement combined. We are, of course, talking about…

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Job Week at Our Hen House: Day 4 — Legal Eagles

Posted on29. Dec, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

The law is the way in which a society turns principles into reality. It’s all very fine and good to call ourselves a nation of animal lovers, but without laws reflecting and enforcing those values, we end up instead where…

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Turkish Photographer’s Cutting-Edge Animal-Centric Exhibit

Posted on15. Dec, 2011 by Sally Tamarkin.

One morning in Washington, DC, when I was an undergrad and 24 hours from a deadline for an advanced black and white photography class, I was up at dawn, panic-stricken and standing on the corner of 21st and F, leaning…

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Who’s the Perfect Student for a Certificate Program in Animals, Community and the Law? You!

Posted on01. Dec, 2011 by Sally Tamarkin.

When I was a graduate student zombie, studying community organizing and lurching through my life underslept, overworked, and caffeine-addled, there was one concept so singularly important in understanding social change that it became my mantra, lullaby, curse word, and catch…

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Eat More Kale

Posted on30. Nov, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Sometimes the way to make change by way of the law isn’t to go out and get a law passed, and isn’t to go out and sue someone. Sometimes the best way to make a splash is just to go…

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Dogs and Law Enforcement

Posted on09. Nov, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It’s not all that often that the United States Department of Justice produces a resource to help animals, so we are thrilled to see their recent publication of “The Problem of Dog-Related Incidents and Encounters.”

Designed primarily for…

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This Little Piggy Went to Court

Posted on08. Nov, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It’s not that often that the Supreme Court hears a case that is important to animals. But tomorrow is the exception. Argument will be heard in National Meat Association v Harris, in which the court will decide whether…

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Facebooking to a Huge Win for Animals? LIKE!

Posted on28. Oct, 2011 by Sally Tamarkin.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome Sally Tamarkin to our flock. Sally is the new intern extraordinaire here at Our Hen House. Among other things, she will be blogging for us from time to time. Don’t miss Sally’s insightful interview…

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Fired Because You’re Vegan?

Posted on11. Oct, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

If you have the wrong boss, there’s no reason to believe it couldn’t happen. But, at least if you’re in Great Britain, maybe you can get back at them. A gardener at Orchard Park Garden Center had reason to believe…

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Upcoming Animal Law Happenings for Everyone’s Radar

Posted on06. Oct, 2011 by Jasmin and Mariann.

Even if you’re not a lawyer (Jasmin’s not!), staying up to speed on animal law news and events should be something that any animal activist prioritizes, and there is sure a lot going on right now in that ever-growing field. Read…

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Going After Dairy, Big Time

Posted on27. Sep, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Here at Our Hen House, we like to focus on opportunities that people who aren’t working for animal protection groups can take advantage of, as part of their everyday lives, to change the world for animals. That includes legal opportunities,…

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It’s All Happening at the USDA

Posted on13. Sep, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

If you’re going to be anywhere near DC on Wednesday, September 21, the USDA will be the place to be. Yes, you heard me correctly. The USDA will be holding one of its Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposia, and…

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The National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse

Posted on26. Aug, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Most of us remember the days when prosecutors, with a few notable exceptions, were willing, even eager, to ignore animal abuse cases. Fortunately, a shift has started in some district attorneys’s offices, and animal cases are being treated with increasing…

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Vote for Our Hen House!

Posted on04. Aug, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

Every day, Mariann and I post a different idea or opportunity to change the world for animals. Show your support by voting for Our Hen House as your favorite blog in this year’s VegNews Veggie Awards! It’s the…

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The Animal Law Conference is Coming Up

Posted on04. Aug, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

The 19th Annual Animal Law Conference is coming up on October 14-16 in Portland, OR, and Mariann and I are speaking at it! (Incidentally, I’ll also be in Portland later this month for the Vida Vegan Blogger’s Conference,…

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Chutki’s Experiences

Posted on29. Jul, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Any animal lawyer knows that passing effective laws protecting animals, while hard enough in and of itself, is only the first step. An even greater challenge comes in getting those laws enforced and informing people of their obligations under the…

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What a Nuisance! (Or, How to Sue A Factory Farm)

Posted on30. May, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Last week’s victory in the California lawsuit brought by HSUS on behalf of neighbors of a Central Valley egg farm breathed new life into the prospect for using the law of nuisance against factory farms.

There is certainly…

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Change the World for Pit Bulls

Posted on26. Apr, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

If you don’t yet know a pit bull, then I will make the bold assumption that your life is not as fulfilled as it could be. As the proud human companion to the sweetest pit in the Big Apple, I…

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Animal Law Summer School

Posted on19. Apr, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Once again I wish I could be in Portland, Oregon this summer for another of the offerings of the Center for Animal Law Studies at  Lewis and Clark Law School. Yet again, the Center will be presenting what looks…

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Political Animals

Posted on11. Apr, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

It’s just possible that you are a bit dissatisfied with the work of elected officials at the moment. In fact, it sometimes seems like we elect the dopiest people we know to lead us. What’s the solution to this crazy…

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Focusing on Fur

Posted on06. Apr, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

You might recall that we recently introduced a “Why?” section to our website, which offers a brief review of the issues underlying our work. Our Hen House’s goal is to help those who want to change the world…

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Animal Law Fellowship

Posted on16. Mar, 2011 by Jasmin Singer.

If you read this blog, you have already heard lots about the Animal Legal Defense Fund (we’ve interviewed Carter Dillard, ALDF superstar, and have talked all about the scholarships they offer to animal law students). Well,…

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Book Review: “An Introduction to Animals and the Law”

Posted on14. Mar, 2011 by Nick Laccetti.

One of the main avenues that we, as animal activists, use to create change is legislation – but we are bound to be ineffective without a working knowledge of the laws that currently govern animals in our society. The task…

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Animal Law Scholarships

Posted on19. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

Here’s an exciting opportunity for law students. Now is the time to apply for next year’s Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarships. These are significant scholarships, offering $2500 for 2Ls  and part-time students, and $5000…

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Mid-Atlantic Animal Law Conference

Posted on07. Jan, 2011 by Mariann Sullivan.

I heard nothing but good things about last year’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Animal Law Conference, sponsored by the Animal Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, along with its various partners. If, like me, you missed it, check…

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An Introduction to Animals and the Law

Posted on30. Dec, 2010 by Mariann Sullivan.

Joan Schaffner is one of the most tireless spokespersons for animals that I know. And I couldn’t be happier about that because now the rest of us get to take advantage of her hard work by reading her brand new…

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Changemaking Tip: Citizen Lobbying (with Patrick Kwan)

Posted on19. Dec, 2010 by Visiting Animal.

Citizen lobbying is up there as one of The Most Important Tools for anyone who cares about animals and wants to influence legislation to help advance their cause. Case in point: Last year, the nearly two hundred 2010 New York…

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