Activities and events
The Committee takes a proactive approach to animal protection, using a variety of mediums and initiatives to promote the protection of animals. Many of our activites, such as our Annual Animal Law Essay Competion, are designed to foster interest in and the development of Animal Law in Australia.
Law Reform
We make submissions to governments on proposed legislative amendments, including proposed changes to codes of practice and other government guidelines. We also write letters to relevant government ministers to lobby for legislative reform.
Awareness raising
We aim to inform the legal profession and the wider community of recent developments in the law and recent court decisions regarding animal welfare. We do this through a range of face-to-face methods, such as information sessions and conferences, through the distribution of press releases and by supporting the activities of other animal protection organisations.
Events
The Animal Law Committee offers many avenues for peer interaction and support, developing seminars, organising social events and competitions. These include:
Animal Law Essay Competition
To foster interest and scholarship in Animal Law in Australia, the Committee holds an annual Animal Law Essay Competition for law students and legal practitioners.
Animal Law Information Sessions
To increase knowledge of Animal Law, the Committee organised information sessions for legal practitioners, law students and members of the public featuring expert guest-speakers. View the topics covered in the Committee’s Animal Law Information Sessions.
Animal Law Conference
In 2007 the Committee held Australia’s first Animal Law Conference at the University of New South Wales.
Annual Christmas Appeal
During the post-Christmas holiday period, when the novelty of owning a pet can wear off, thousands of dogs and cats are dumped on the doorsteps of animal shelters and rescue/adoption agencies.
The Animal Law Committee conducts an annual Christmas Appeal to help to make life more comfortable for these animals and to provide some assistance to over-worked and under-resourced animal shelters.
The Appeal involves the collection of various items, including pet food, towels, bowls, leads, collars, litter trays, cat cages, worming tablets, dog shampoo and bedding from employees of law firms and other businesses around Sydney, as well as members of the public. The donations are then delivered to various animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA, CatRescue and the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.
