Animal rights lawyers primarily rely on the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. This is the only United States federal law that regulates the treatment of animals in research, transport, and exhibition. Animal rights lawyers tend to either file lawsuits, help prosecutors charge animal abusers, defend animal rights activists, or teach animal law in law firms and schools. Animal rights lawyers work for a number of different non-profit organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Mercy for Animals. However, many attorneys do not work on animal cases full-time, but instead work on such cases pro bono.
Animal law may intersect with other areas of law. For example, animal rights may come up in estate planning. Although it is rare, individuals may leave money to their companion animals, which is allowed in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, animal rights may arise in custody disputes, with courts ruling on which partner should receive the companion animal in a divorce. Animal rights may similarly appear in cases involving tort claims (in particular, claims against veterinarians, kennels, groomers, etc.) or free speech (to protect animal rights activists and their right to protest). Thus, even if an attorney does not specifically specialize in animal rights law it may still come up in their practice.
Animal rights lawyers also work to defeat ag-gag laws—anti-whistleblower laws that protect the agricultural industry from facing animal cruelty charges. Some states, particularly those in the South and the Corn Belt, have enacted legislation to extend these laws beyond the agriculture industry, to prohibit people from speaking out against animal cruelty in private businesses like hospitals, elderly care facilities, schools, and veterans care facilities.