New Release · 2025

The New Era of
Animal Policy

A comprehensive guide to the laws, debates,
and innovations shaping animal welfare today.

Bringing together leading researchers, advocates, and policymakers, this anthology examines the pressing animal welfare policy issues reshaping our legal, economic, and ethical landscape.

30+
Contributing AuthorsResearchers, advocates, and practitioners from across the country
25+
ChaptersCovering farmed animals, wildlife, companion animals, equines, and more
6
Policy AreasFrom agricultural systems to entertainment, captivity, and cultural practices

A Landmark Anthology
on Animal Welfare Law & Policy

This book examines the pressing animal welfare policy issues shaping our legal, economic, and ethical landscape. It provides comprehensive coverage of how changing public opinion and evolving scientific understanding of animal sentience are transforming policy across all sectors.

From the regulation of industrial agriculture to the management of wild horses on public lands, from laboratory research reform to captivity standards for marine mammals, The New Era of Animal Policy maps the full terrain of contemporary animal law — where it stands, where it's heading, and who is shaping it.

With animal welfare increasingly recognized as a policy priority, this book offers crucial insights into the regulations, debates, and innovations that will define the future of human-animal relations for decades to come.

Browse the Chapters

Policy Areas Covered

Farmed Animals Wildlife Companion Animals Equine Welfare Research & Testing Captive Animals Entertainment & Sport Cultural & Religious Practices Endangered Species Tribal Governance Animal Cruelty Law Shelter Policy Ag-Gag Laws Animal Rights Public Opinion

Chapters & Contributors

Organized by policy area, each chapter offers authoritative analysis from practitioners and scholars at the forefront of their field.

Introduction
Public Opinion
The State of Public Opinion on Animal Protection as a Policy Priority
Becky & Lori
Agricultural Animals
Industrial Agriculture
Animal Welfare in Industrial Agriculture: Current Issues, Reform Attempts, and Ag-Gag Laws
Crystal Heath
Farmed Animals
State-Level Policies Around Farmed Animal Housing Systems
Gabriel Wildgen
Aquaculture
Animal Welfare in Aquaculture and the Development of Octopus Farming
Jennifer Jacquet & Janelle Kaczmarzewski
Plant-Based Alternatives
The Policy Landscape Shaping Plant-Based Alternatives to Animal Products
Sarah Backer & Pepin Tuma
Fur Farming
The State of Fur Farming and Policies to Address Fur Farming
Haley Stewart & PJ Smith
Research & Testing
Laboratory Animals
Animals Used in Research: Current Regulation, Welfare Issues, and Policy Efforts
Aubyn Royall
Animals in Captivity
Zoo Welfare
The Animal Welfare Act and Zoo Animal Welfare
Barb Wolfe
Rights-Based Approaches
A Rights-Based Approach to Animals in Captivity
Steve Silverman
Companion Animals
Cruelty Laws
State Animal Cruelty Laws: Policies and Implementation
Ann Olson
Shelter Policy
Policies and Welfare Issues for Animals in Shelters and Commercial Facilities
Lisa Milot
Housing Policy
Pet-Inclusive Housing Policies and Co-Sheltering People and Pets
Ross Barker
Veterinary Access
Access to Veterinary Care
Bob Murtaugh & Mark Cushing
Equines
Wild Horses
Wild Horse Welfare and Management
Sarah King
Racing & Sport
Welfare and Regulation of Equines Used in Racing, Shows, and Rodeos
Alina Vail
Wildlife & Conservation
Wildlife Management
The North American Model of Wildlife Management: Foundations, Limitations, and Alternatives
Michelle Lute
Tribal Governance
Tribal Governance of Wildlife
Cristina Mormorunni & Brian Codding
Ballot Initiatives
Ballot Initiatives, Commission Reform, and Policy Efforts to Reduce Wildlife Suffering
Sam Miller
Wild Animal Welfare
Wild Animal Welfare: Advances in Policy
Jeff Sebo, Adalene Minelli & Toni Sims
Endangered Species
The Endangered Species Act: History, Impact, and Current Issues
Bill Snape
Wildlife Cruelty
Addressing Wildlife Cruelty Through State Laws
Scott Halloran
Carnivore Management
Current Policy Paradigms for Managing Human-Carnivore Conflict and Innovative Approaches
Kevin Crooks
Invasive Species
Managing Invasive Wildlife: A Shift Towards More Humane Approaches?
John Griffin & John Hadidian
Policy Implementation
State-Level Policy
Animal Welfare at the State Level: The Process of Policy Implementation — What Worked and What Didn't
First Gentleman Marlon Reis

Meet the Authors

This anthology brings together over 30 leading experts — researchers, advocates, attorneys, and policymakers — working at the intersection of animal welfare and public policy.

CH
Crystal Heath
Industrial Agriculture & Ag-Gag Laws
Our Honor
GW
Gabriel Wildgen
Farmed Animal Housing Systems
The Humane League
JJ
Jennifer Jacquet
Aquaculture & Octopus Farming
University of Miami
SB
Sarah Backer & Pepin Tuma
Plant-Based Alternatives Policy
Good Food Institute
HS
Haley Stewart & PJ Smith
Fur Farming Policy
Humane Society / Humane World
AR
Aubyn Royall
Animals in Research
Humane World
BW
Barb Wolfe
Zoo Animal Welfare & AWA
Colorado State University
SS
Steve Silverman
Rights-Based Approach to Captivity
Animal Rights Attorney
AO
Ann Olson
State Animal Cruelty Laws
Animal Folks
LM
Lisa Milot
Animals in Shelters & Commercial Facilities
Vermont Agency of Agriculture
RB
Ross Barker
Pet-Inclusive Housing Policy
Pets and Housing
BM
Bob Murtaugh & Mark Cushing
Access to Veterinary Care
Animal Policy Group
SK
Sarah King
Wild Horse Welfare & Management
Colorado State University
AV
Alina Vail
Equines in Racing, Shows & Rodeos
UC Davis / Cornell
ML
Michelle Lute
North American Wildlife Management
Wildlife for All
CM
Cristina Mormorunni & Brian Codding
Tribal Governance of Wildlife
Indigenous Led / UC Santa Barbara
SM
Sam Miller
Ballot Initiatives & Commission Reform
Center for Biological Diversity
JS
Jeff Sebo
Wild Animal Welfare Policy
NYU
BS
Bill Snape
The Endangered Species Act
American University / WCL
SH
Scott Halloran
Wildlife Cruelty & State Laws
Washington State AG
KC
Kevin Crooks
Human-Carnivore Conflict Policy
Colorado State University
JG
John Griffin & John Hadidian
Invasive Wildlife Management
Humane World
MR
First Gentleman Marlon Reis
State-Level Policy Implementation
Policy Leader

Use This Book in Your
Course or Coverage

Designed to be taught, discussed, and cited — with resources that make course adoption and media coverage effortless.

📚

Course Adoption

Syllabi integration guides, discussion questions organized by chapter and policy area, and sample assignments for law, public policy, and environmental studies courses.

Request Desk Copy →
🎙️

Podcast & Media Interviews

Looking for an expert voice on a specific animal policy issue? Each author is available to speak on their chapter topic. Find the right contributor using our Topics browser.

Browse by Topic →
💬

Discussion Guides

Downloadable reading guides for individual chapters, small-group discussion frameworks, and a full-book guide suitable for book clubs, conferences, and workshops.

Download Resources →
🏛️

Policy Briefings

Condensed policy summaries on key issue areas — suitable for legislative staff, organizational briefings, and introductory reading before panel discussions.

Access Briefings →
🎓

Event Hosting

Toolkit for hosting a campus or community event around the book — including facilitation guides, promotional templates, and suggestions for pairing with local advocacy organizations.

Request Event Kit →
✍️

Author Speaking

Book contributors are available for keynotes, panels, classrooms, and podcast appearances. Use the Topics browser to identify the right author for your specific focus.

Book a Speaker →

Find the Right Expert
for Your Needs

Organized by policy area — so event planners, journalists, and educators can quickly identify the chapter and contributor most relevant to their focus.

🐄 Farmed Animals

  • Industrial confinement & cage bans
  • Aquaculture & octopus farming
  • Plant-based alternatives
  • Fur farming bans
  • Ag-gag laws

🐾 Companion Animals

  • Animal cruelty laws
  • Shelter & commercial facility regulation
  • Pet-inclusive housing
  • Co-sheltering policies
  • Veterinary access

🦅 Wildlife

  • North American Management Model
  • Tribal governance
  • Ballot initiatives & commission reform
  • Human-carnivore conflict
  • Invasive species & humane control

🐎 Equines

  • Wild horse management & welfare
  • Racing, show & rodeo regulation
  • Equine facility standards
  • Slaughter policy

🔬 Research & Testing

  • Lab animal regulation (AWA)
  • The 3Rs: replacement, reduction, refinement
  • Cosmetic testing bans
  • Research ethics

🏛️ Law & Policy Process

  • State-level implementation
  • Endangered Species Act
  • Wildlife cruelty law
  • Rights-based legal frameworks
  • Public opinion & policy change

Events & Media

Contributors are actively available for panels, podcasts, keynotes, and course visits. Past and upcoming appearances will be listed here. To inquire about a speaking engagement, use the booking form below.

TBD

Book Launch Event

Details forthcoming. Join our mailing list to be notified when launch events are announced.

TBD

Conference Presentations

Authors will be presenting at law, policy, and animal welfare conferences throughout 2025–2026.

Ongoing

Podcast & Media Appearances

Authors are available for interview appearances on podcasts, radio, and print media covering animal policy.

Book a Contributor

Looking for an expert panelist, keynote speaker, or podcast guest on a specific animal policy topic? We can connect you with the right author.

We welcome inquiries from conference organizers, podcast hosts, course instructors, and journalists.

Send Inquiry

Further Reading & Tools

For Educators

Chapter Discussion Questions

Per-chapter discussion guides suitable for law school seminars, undergraduate courses, and professional development workshops.

Request Access →
For Educators

Syllabus Integration Guide

Suggested pairings with casebooks, statutes, and supplementary readings for courses in animal law, environmental policy, and public administration.

Request Access →
For Media

Press Kit

High-resolution cover art, author bios, book description, and suggested interview questions for journalists and podcast hosts.

Download Press Kit →
Partner Organizations

Author Affiliations

Contributors are affiliated with leading organizations including the Humane Society, The Humane League, Center for Biological Diversity, Good Food Institute, and major research universities.

View All Authors →
Policy Briefs

Issue Summaries

Condensed overviews of key policy areas covered in the book, suitable for legislative briefings and organizational onboarding.

Request Access →
Community

Book Club & Event Toolkit

Facilitation guides, event templates, and promotional materials for hosting your own reading group, campus event, or organizational discussion.

Download Toolkit →

News & Spotlights

Ongoing coverage of the book, contributor news, and key developments in animal welfare policy.

Coming Soon

Chapter Spotlight Series

Each month we'll feature one chapter in depth — with a Q&A with the author, related policy updates, and suggested further reading.

2025

Book Launch Announcement

Sign up for our mailing list to receive launch details, early access to resources, and invitations to book events as they're announced.

Ongoing

Policy Tracking

The animal welfare policy landscape moves fast. We'll track major legislative and regulatory developments covered in the book — from state ballot initiatives to federal agency rulemaking.

Stay Informed

Get notified about launch events, new resources, and policy updates.

Join the Mailing List