"The Case for the Legal Protection of Animals is a thoroughly researched account of how we treat animals today and why far-reaching reforms are urgently needed, for the sake of the animals, the environment, and humans as well. The book is an excellent guide to the emerging field of animal law and to the challenges it faces."
–Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation and Animal Liberation Now
"Kimberly Moore powerfully and persuasively makes the case for the legal protection of animals demonstrating the undeniable link between animal welfare, public health and the environment. A compelling read!"
–Joan Schaffner, Faculty Co-director, Animal Legal Education Initiative, The George Washington University Law School
This book presents the case for the legal protection for animals based on humanity’s shared interests and destinies with the animal kingdom. To underscore the urgent need for legal reform, the book documentshow animals are in crisis, with separate discussions on animals in entertainment, research, fashion, and the food industry, as well as issues that impact companion animals, wildlife and aquatic animals. The heart of the book discusses the link between human rights and animal rights and challenges to legal reforms. Finally, the book explores the development of animal law and the trajectory of current laws, with analysis of developing ‘rights of nature’ laws and ‘legal personhood’ status for animals.
Kimberly C. Moore is a senior attorney at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in Washington, D.C. She is a Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and the Director of Public Relations for Fur Free Society, Inc.
Kimberly C. Moore
Animal Exploitation Animal Law Planetary Crises Shared destinies Fundamental Rights
“With improved technology and a much greater appetite among the young for books … . Here are two books that Sanctuary believes should be in every public library and in the homes of all those whose hearts beat to nature’s drum. … It was a pleasant experience reading her recently published book on this topic … . The Case for the Legal Protection of Animals represents a laudable and important contribution to our understanding of all animals.” (Shubhobroto Ghosh, Sanctuary Asia, Vol. 44 (6), June, 2024)
“This book has a broad, global scope and is extremely well researched. It is succinct yet thorough and has profound insights into the complex issues arising from the protection of animals and their intersections with humankind. It is a solid legal text and probes legal solutions in a critical manner, advocating for animals as it does so. The author appreciates the need for a multi-pronged approach to deal effectively with animal abuse. The book emphasizes the need for enforcement and not just new laws, while acknowledging that some laws are effective. The book combines doctrinal rigor with a pleasant and accessible writing style. The author is extremely well read and has a deep understanding of the social implications of animal abuse from a kaleidoscope of viewpoints. This book is highly recommended. It provides a wealth of information for US and international scholars and policy makers. It is a clear, concise, informative, erudite and a well-rounded work.” (Dr. Maureen O’Sullivan, Faculty, University of Galway School of Law)
“The Case for the Legal Protection of Animals is a thoroughly researched account of how we treat animals today and why far-reaching reforms are urgently needed, for the sake of the animals, the environment, and humans as well. The book is an excellent guide to the emerging field of animal law and to the challenges it faces.” (Peter Singer, author of “Animal Liberation and Animal Liberation Now”)
“Kimberly Moore powerfully and persuasively makes the case for the legal protection of animals demonstrating the undeniable link between animal welfare, public health and the environment. A compelling read!” (Joan Schaffner, Faculty Co-director, Animal Legal Education Initiative, The George Washington University Law School)
“Nonhuman animals (animals) need all the help they can get. The Anthropocene, often referred to as 'the age of humanity,' has evolved into 'the rage of inhumanity,' and despite thefact that we now know far more about animal sentience and emotions than in the past, countless individuals are treated as if they are merely unfeeling objects and 'property' to be 'owned' rather than as deeply feeling beings. Why, for example, does the Federal Animal Welfare Act inanely exclude rats, mice, and other animals from its definition of 'animals,' and why can more industrially farmed and brutalized pigs be legally killed per hour now when compared to years past? In her clearly written and jargon-free book, Kimberly Moore makes a strong case for granting legal rights to animals for a wide variety of reasons, including our moral obligation to respect their highly evolved emotional lives. The book unequivocally establishes that what works for 'them'—to be treated with respect, dignity, kindness, and compassion – is also good for our own well-being, a win-win for all.” (Marc Bekoff Ph.D., author of “The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age” and “The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy”―and “Why They Matter”)
“As this book goes to print, activists are being incarcerated for rescuing animals from inhumane conditions and ag gag laws are being defended in court and introduced in national legislatures. At the same time animal abuse on factory farms, zoos and research facilities goes unpunished. Moore’s timely book provides the social and legal context to understand and appreciate the myriad ways that the law makes animal suffering invisible, while also providing reasons for optimism and concrete proposals for legal reform that would make a tangible difference, such as a “general legal right to rescue animals in distress.” The book is a rare blend of research, passion, and readability, and it is a call to action.” (Justin Marceau, Director of the Animal Law Program at the University of Denver and author of “Beyond Cages”)