Areas of Focus

Most of our work falls under one of three broad subject matter umbrellas:

Wildlife

We are committed to protecting wild animals in Colorado and beyond. Statutes such as the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act provide a robust framework for protecting species, yet wild animals face extreme pressures worldwide. Not only is wildlife under threat on both the population and the individual level, but the statutes themselves are also under attack — now more than ever.

Our goal is to utilize the existing framework to meaningfully protect wildlife while simultaneously pushing for law and policy changes that enhance the conservation and well-being of wild animals.

Domestic & Farmed Animals

Domestic and farmed animals are among the most exploited in our society. Bred for human use and routinely denied basic needs, many of these animals endure lives of constant suffering. While laws exist to reduce harm, they are often weak, underenforced, and filled with exemptions. 

At Animal Counsel, we believe all animals deserve lives free from cruelty, regardless of species. We are committed to challenging the legal and cultural norms that allow this exploitation to persist. Our aim is to ensure the enforcement of existing measures while also strengthening inadequate laws so that these intelligent and vulnerable animals receive the protections they urgently need. 

Rights of Nature

The rights of nature is a relatively new legal approach that has recently surged in the environmentalist movement. The basic idea is that nature is not just a "thing" and instead has, or should have, legal rights. When the rights of nature work, they can protect animals, habitats, and even entire ecosystems.

The rights of nature and its overlap with animal rights are two of our biggest areas of interest. These two areas are expanding so quickly, both academically and in practice. Animal Counsel is dedicating to advancing both fields and working with others looking to do the same.