The Animal Welfare Project is an independent pro bono effort of faculty and students at The George Washington University Law School. Under the auspices of Professors Mary Cheh and Joan Schaffner, the project seeks to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and promote legislative changes to advance animal welfare and improve the lives of animals in the District of Columbia. Students participate in the project by researching all aspects of animal welfare, including laws and regulations in place and proposed around the nation, enforcement issues, and possibilities for reform in the District. The Project is a resource for the DC government, the local humane organizations, and community groups interested in strengthening the protection of animals and works with other law schools, the bar, and organizations on joint projects in animal law. 

Accomplishments to Date:

GW Animal Law Summit I  March 2004, the Project hosted “Animal Law Summit: Reforming Animal Welfare Laws in the District of Columbia,” a panel discussion on the District’s animal welfare laws and proposals for reform.  Panelists were local leaders in animal welfare and protection.  Representatives from several animal welfare organizations in the D.C. area attended. 

Animal Welfare Report February 2005, the Project hosted a press conference tom release a comprehensive report on the status of animal welfare in the District, including a description of current District laws, their enforcement, and recommendations for reforms.  The report was presented to D.C. Councilmember David Catania and Department of Health Director Gregg Pane.

GW Animal Law Summit II February 2007, the Project hosted “Animal Law Summit II.”  Dean Lawrence announced the creation of the Samantha Scholarship in Animal Law; the Executive Director of WHS discussed the status of companion animals in the District’s Shelter; Councilwoman Mary Cheh presented the Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2007; and Joan Schaffner announced and celebrated the first recipient of the Samantha Scholarship.  Julius Fleischman, the benefactor of the Samantha Scholarship was so moved that he announced the establishment of a second scholarship in honor and memory of HoJo!

Animal Protection Legislation Representatives of the AWP worked with Councilmember Cheh and her legislative aide, Jeremy Faust, to prepare final legislation introduced to the DC Council as the Animal Protection Amendment Act This legislation addressed several animal welfare issues, including regulation of services affecting animals (boarding facilities, guard dogs), guidelines for care of animals used in public schools, humane education, spay/neuter, penalties for animal abusers, cross-reporting among agencies handling domestic violence and animal abuse, and more. June 2007 Professor Schaffner and representatives of the AWP testified before the DC Council on behalf of the Animal Protection Amendment Act.  The Act (Bill 17-89) was ultimately enacted by the DC Council in June 2008.

DC Animal Law Pamphlet: The AWP published a pamphlet summarizing the law related to animals in the District for the Animal Law Committee of the DC Bar.  See Animal Law in the District of Columbia at http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/virtual_library/index.cfm.

Current Projects:

DC Board of Veterinary Medicine Professor Joan Schaffner is the public member of the DC Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Students are working to help review and update the laws and policies that govern veterinarians and animal facilities in the District of Columbia.

Criminal Law Summaries Students research and summarize the criminal law, both statutory and case law, dealing with animal cruelty regulation and prosecution. These summaries are being prepared in coordination with the National District Attorneys Association Advisory Group developing training materials for prosecutors on prosecuting animal cruelty and fighting cases.