Nonprofit Animal Law

Nonprofit Animal Law - Professor Russ Mead

• Course Number: LAW-442 - In-person Section
• Course Type: Highly Specialized
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
• Description: Nonprofit organizations carry out much of the animal law work in the US and around the world. This course teaches how to create and represent these organizations. The course has an option where students create an animal law nonprofit as part of the coursework. In addition to nonprofit creation, subjects include preservation of 501(c)3 tax-exempt status; risk management; duties to nonprofit volunteers; nonprofit employment issues; fundraising; tax issues; hosting public events; privacy issues; and protection of intellectual property rights. The course also covers legal issues of particular interest to animal nonprofits: animal adoptions; care and transportation of live animals across state lines; disaster relief for animals; veterinary laws; property issues regarding rescued animals; lobbying for animal protection laws; and prosecution of animal cruelty cases.
• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Final exam or creation of a nonprofit
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no

Nonprofit Animal Law - Professor Cynthia von Schlichten

• Course Number: LAW-442 *Animal Law LLM and MSL Distance Students Only Fall 2023*
• Course Type: Highly Specialized
• Credits: 3
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
• Description:  Nonprofit organizations carry out much of the animal law work in the U.S. and around the world. This course addresses the day-to-day legal challenges an animal nonprofit organization might face and provides a foundation for how to manage and navigate those challenges. Among other broader topics relevant to running a nonprofit organization, the course will focus on legal issues of particular interest to animal nonprofits, including: animal rescue and adoptions; care and transportation of live animals across state lines; compliance with veterinary laws; property issues regarding rescued animals; and lobbying around relevant legislation. The course will also address the value of engaging in animal advocacy litigation, and related obstacles, such as standing.

In addition, the course will provide an overview of some common issues nonprofits face, including: employee and volunteer conflicts; fundraising and relevant tax compliance; risk management considerations; the protection of intellectual property rights; as well as day-to-day challenges involving contracts, brand protection, and in-house litigation matters. While the course will emphasize nonprofit animal law in the U.S., it will also include discussion and assignments addressing the challenges of animal nonprofit organizations all over the world. Students will be encouraged to explore their home countries’ own nonprofit model through assignments and discussions.

• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Discussion posts, Assignments, Quizzes, Final Project
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no