Animal Law Documentary Series
How are animals treated by our society and in our legal systems? This open-access, scholarly documentary film series on Animal Law surveys the current field of animal law and policy through the eyes of four youth active in animal advocacy.
Global Leaders in Animal Protection
This short documentary series reveals the inadequate status of animals under the law and those working to improve more ethical legal and policy outcomes. Produced for global viewers and particularly audiences in secondary- and post-secondary education, the accompanying Educators’ Guides maximize viewers’ experiences and curriculum outcomes.
Through the pilot and six series episodes, four leading youth animal advocates guide the viewer through the many ways our current laws fail to protect animals. Additional interviews with legal scholars (speaking from Harvard, Yale, and Lewis & Clark law schools), practitioners and legislators examine recent successes for animals in North America and beyond, and how these laws can be improved.
Reviews by Educators
What people are saying:The Animal Law & Youth Activism series brings forth an urgent message: Animals are sentient beings entitled to flourishing lives, and their exploitation and abuse by humans must end. A major shift is ahead of us: Society needs to abolish the commodity status of animals, make a transition to multispecies justice and to a world that affords animals the respect that they deserve. The multiple voices featuring in this educative series point out the directions. Sharing their professional knowledge and personal experiences of animal advocacy, they invite us to learn with them and work together for animal protection and liberation. Don’t miss these six episodes! Watch them, reflect on them, include them in your teaching, discuss them – and get engaged!
– Helena Pedersen, PhD
Associate Prof. in Education, University of Gothenburg
Author of Animals in Schools and Schizoanalysis and Animal Science Education
What if we didn’t see animals as property but as sentient sovereign beings with whom we share the world? This paradigm shift, driven by an updated mindset, changing policies, and creative, strategic young people, is beautifully and comprehensively explored in the Animal Law & Youth Activism video series. Each video is accompanied by a short user-friendly education guide that can be used in classrooms and communities to extend the conversation, help sharpen critical thinking skills, and engender deeper engagement with the issues. The combination of the videos and the educational guides makes this project a slam-dunk for anyone who wants to raise awareness about human-animal relationships, the laws the govern them, and how education can widen the circle of compassion in our hearts and in society. What a gift!
– Mary Pat Champeau
Director of Graduate Programs, Institute for Humane Education
Program director and Senior Lecturer, Antioch University
Animal Law & Youth Activism is a crucial resource for educators and anyone interested in humane education or animal advocacy more broadly. Each of the six episodes covers a critical topic in animal protection and is accompanied by detailed educator's guides, including suggested learning outcomes, discussion questions, and external resources. The information in this educational toolkit will inspire and empower the next generation of animal advocates.
– Becca Franks, PhD
Assistant, Professor of Environmental Studies
Co-Director of the Wild Animal Welfare Program, NYU Animal Studies
New York University
Animal Law & Youth Activism is an engaging documentary series with rich material, allowing anyone to learn more and engage critically with how we humans interact with animals. The six episodes combined with the educator’s guides are excellent learning opportunities for studying on one’s own, in study groups together, or to use as teaching materials in class. The series provides insights into critical animal concerns and discusses both present and future legal and ethical challenges for animals.
– Matilda Arvidsson, LLD
Associate Professor of International Law
University of Gothenburg
Episode 1: Companion Animals
In this episode, Cami, Zoe, Josephine and Shiqi look deeper into issues facing companion animals, such as puppy mills, cruelty and breed discrimination, cosmetic alterations, and what happens to animals when families break up.
Advancements in companion animal protection include the PETS Act which benefits companion animals and their human guardians during disasters.
Watch the trailer for episode 1
Episode 2: Animals in Research
In this episode, Cami, Zoe and Josephine introduce the issues facing animals in animal labs and animal testing, and why animal testing models are being replaced by more effective animal-free models. Shiqi describes her role initiating her school district’s change to student choice in school dissection policy.
Watch the trailer for episode 2
Episode 3: Farmed Animals
In this episode 3, find out what happens to animals in factory farming, and why farmed animals are denied the legal protections that other animals like our companion animals have.
On a dairy farm, the separation of calves from their mothers shortly after birth illustrates one of the many harmful industry practices described by the presenters, and why “ag-gag” laws prevent the public from learning about animal suffering on farms.
Watch the trailer for episode 3
Content warning: Representative images of industrial farming's animal practices may be disturbing to some viewers.
Episode 4: Wild Animals
In this episode, Zoe delves into issues facing wild animals, such as the global wildlife trade, and why zoos and aquariums are being questioned for their role in exploiting wild animals for entertainment.
Cami introduces the experience of cetaceans in captivity, and how public activism led to laws now preventing their capture and display.
On the east coast of Canada, the first global whale sanctuary prepares to welcome whales released from captivity into a more wild environment.
Episode 5: Animal Sanctuaries
In this episode, Shiqi shares what it’s like to visit an animal sanctuary, which around the world offer refuge for animals from cruelty and slaughter. Cami, Josephine and Zoe describe their work rescuing animals and what it’s like to run a farmed animal sanctuary.
Episode 6: Careers in Animal Protection
This episode describes the growth in Animal Law programs offered in law schools and universities around the world, and why many students are turning to animal protection as a career path.
A Deeper Kindness - Animal Law and Youth Activism (Documentary Series Pilot)
The full series overview, highlighting issues and advances in animal protection around the globe.