The Animal Law Institute is closing after 11 years of protecting animals
After 11 years working to protect animals through the Australian legal system, The Animal Law Institute (ALI) will cease operating at the end of 2025.
Founded in 2014 by a small group of lawyers passionate about animal protection, the not-for-profit community legal centre has achieved many strong outcomes thanks to the tireless work of a small team of staff, a voluntary board and a large network of volunteer lawyers and supporters who all shared a common resolve to protect animals and reduce animal suffering through the law.
In 2021, ALI established an anti-puppy farm legal clinic in response to heightened community awareness of puppy farming, coinciding with an alarming rise in negligent breeding during the covid pandemic. With funding support from the Victorian Government, the clinic provided free legal services to people who had purchased a domestic animal from a breeder or seller and subsequently found that their new family member had an undisclosed or congenital health problem.
The anti-puppy farm clinic helped clients to understand their options under the law, pursue legal action and seek compensation to cover expenses such as vet bills while also holding unscrupulous breeders and sellers accountable. Over 100 clients and their companion animals were assisted by the clinic.
The Animal Law Institute also pursued strategic litigation to protect animals and assisted many animal protection charities with legal advice and research, including the Animal Justice Party, Voiceless, Oscar’s Law, Geelong Animal Rescue, Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services, Animal Liberation and the Liberty Foundation.
In 2017, ALI initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on behalf of Action for Dolphins against a Coffs Harbour marine park known as Dolphin Marine Magic (DMM), for misleading or deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law. Dolphin Marine Magic held five dolphins in captivity at its marine park. Scientific evidence collated for the case demonstrated the emotional and physical needs of dolphins and the welfare issues arising in artificial captive environments. The case was settled confidentially in 2017 and DMM subsequently ceased breeding dolphins.
While the animal law movement continues to build and there is ongoing and ever-growing demand for animal law services generally, recently ALI’s anti-puppy farm clinic has experienced declining demand due to successful law reform, focused enforcement and increased public understanding of puppy farming and negligent breeding. The full suite of the Victorian Government's anti-puppy farming reforms are now in effect, including caps on the number of breeding dogs allowed, restrictions on pet shop sales, and the introduction of the Pet Exchange Register to give consumers greater transparency when choosing to purchase a companion animal. This has created a reduced need for ALI's services, as evidenced by a decrease in enquiries for assistance. However, challenges still remain, including enforcement gaps, interstate purchases and inconsistency in national animal welfare laws.
Reduced demand for ALI’s legal clinic services, combined with ongoing funding insecurity and the high compliance burden on a small voluntary board operating a community legal centre, have resulted in the decision to wind up operations.
The Board of the Animal Law Institute sincerely thanks the dedicated employees and the many volunteers and supporters who have given their time and expertise over the years to help protect animals, achieving many great outcomes for animals and their owners.
The Animal Law Institute’s final day of operation will be 31 December 2025. We are currently working with our existing clients to support them to progress and finalise matters.