Click on the text links below to view some of our favorite nationally based websites offering information about animal welfare, animal rights, and pet abuse in the United States! If you would like to suggest a link to add to this page on the MarylandPet.com website please e-mail us.
Animal Welfare Organizations – National
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Our mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. We offer national programs in humane education, public awareness, government advocacy, shelter support, and animal medical services and placement. Our New York City headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, behavior center, adoption facility, and Humane Law Enforcement Department…
The Humane Society of the United States
The aim of The Humane Society of the United States may seem simple—promoting the protection of all animals—but it requires a wide range of actions and strategies. Since its establishment in 1954, The HSUS has developed programs to take on animal abuse and exploitation wherever it occurs….
The mission of the American Humane Association, as a network of individuals and organizations, is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively, and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society…
Animal Rights Laws and Legislation
Animal Legal & Historical Center – MSU/Detroit College of Law.
There are presently over 400 full text cases (US, Historical and UK) and 625 statutes (Maryland and all other states) fully available on the site. More importantly, we have 23 topics that give the viewer directions and comprehensive explanations on some of the more interesting issues of the animal area. We also have a number of legal articles addressing a wide variety of animal topics. This is the best way for non-lawyers to access the information…
Rutgers University School of Law. Iincludes selected documents involving: the right of a student to object to vivisection or dissection in the classroom; hunting and wildlife issues, hunter “harassment,” wild horses, animal sacrifices, and animal care committees. The website also offers on-line handbooks concerning freedom of expression and housing issues involving companion animals. In addition, the website offers various essays and journal articles on animal rights and animals and the law, and various state and federal laws and regulations…
International Institute for Animal Law
The International Institute for Animal Law has been established to encourage, at the international level, the development of legal scholarship and advocacy skills on behalf of animals. A not-for-profit organization composed of a renowned and experienced group of attorneys and judges from around the world, the Institute is dedicated to creating and supporting programs that will enhance the development of laws that protect animals. Includes a section for searching animal laws and legislation by state.
For nearly a quarter-century, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been pushing the U.S. legal system to end the suffering of abused animals…
National Anti-Vivisection Society
The National Anti-Vivisection Society is dedicated to abolishing the exploitation of animals used in research, education and product testing…
Animal Welfare Information Center
Includes the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, Government Organizations, Legislation, Policies, Guidelines & Codes of Practice, News, and Questions & Answers: The Animal Welfare Act and Its Regulations for Biomedical Research Institutions…
The National Center for Animal Law-Lewis & Clark Law School
The National Center for Animal Law draws, trains, and supports those who choose to practice animal law in order to further the field of animal law and promote legal protections for animals…
Emergency & Disaster Guidelines
Emergency & Disaster Guidelines for Pets and Large Animals. Includes printable (PDF) brochures
The Humane Society of the United States
Disaster Plan Checklist for Pets
National Pet Abuse Hotline
Featured in People Magazine in 2004. Search by state in this national animal abuse crime database. There are 19,299 total cases listed in this database as of September 16, 2013. If you register with Pet-Abuse.Com, you will be e-mailed when new updates are posted about the cases you choose to monitor. You may also do a search on abuser names in the database. This site is highly recommended!
Pet Custody, Trusts, Wills & Estates
The primary goal of the pet owner’s attorney is to carry out the pet owner’s intent to the fullest extent allowed under applicable law. Accordingly, the attorney should select a method which has the highest likelihood of working successfully to provide for the pet after its owner’s death. (The pet owner should also determine if any special arrangements need to be made to care for the pet if the owner becomes disabled. These instructions may be included in a durable power of attorney.) This article discusses the variety of techniques currently available and comments on the advisability of each…
A basic overview of pet trusts, including a Pet Trust State Law Chart