Sessions

In order to take greater strides towards a more humane world for all animals, we must address the vital role that food systems play in both climate change and animal welfare issues. In our Sunday lunch plenary, climate justice activist Lana Weidgenant will examine the intersectionality of animal welfare, climate change, and food systems and discuss how sustainability and compassion can bring about positive change for all. She will also address how we can empower youth to take action and continue to drive the movement. Then, Jonathan Lovvorn, Senior Vice President & Chief Counsel for HSUS with Ralph Henry, Senior Director, Litigation, Animal Protection Law will provide updates on a pivotal Supreme Court case that could erase one of the animal welfare industry’s greatest victories in recent memory—California Proposition 12. Prop 12 is a humane and public health law that ensures that eggs, pork, and veal sold in California come from facilities where animals are not confined in tiny cages where they can’t even turn around. In its challenge to this law, the pork industry is fighting to radically curtail state and local authority to confront factory farms and other abusive industry practices and presents a collective threat to social justice movements nationwide.

Join us for popcorn, refreshments and a private screening of the THE CONSERVATION GAME, a documentary film set against the backdrop of a heated national debate on captive big cats in America, THE CONSERVATION GAME, a part of TAFA's film festival sponsored by Big Cat Rescue, follows the story of Tim Harrison, a retired cop who makes a bombshell discovery while undercover at an exotic animal auction. He starts to suspect that America’s top television celebrity conservationists may be secretly connected to the exotic pet trade. What follows is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, filled with lies, deception, and coverups. As his investigation leads deeper into the secret world of the big cat trade, Tim and his team take their fight to the halls of Congress, pressing lawmakers to pass federal legislation that would end the private breeding and exploitation of these endangered and majestic animals. But when opposition comes from an unexpected source, Tim is forced to face the demons of his own past, while wrestling with the consequences of exposing his childhood hero. After the film, Michael Webber, the filmmaker/producer/director will moderate a Q&A session with Tim Harrison and Carole Baskin.  

Animals can play a critical role in fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Featuring experts from the HSUS’ Law Enforcement Training Center, this presentation will review the fundamental concepts of a community-oriented policing model and relevant applications in animal protection, including tips for positive interactions, creative community partnerships and dynamic problem solving in the field.

A multitude of federal agencies, ranging from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture to the Centers for Disease Control, oversee and enforce laws that impact animals. These same agencies create rules and regulations that affect many animals including wildlife, farm animals, companion animals and animals used in research. This session will delve into the inner workings of the federal regulatory process and will explain how you can use your skills as an animal activist to positively influence the regulatory process to support animal protection causes.

Global protests and a flurry of scientific reports have highlighted the existential threat climate change poses to both people and animals, including the predicted loss of one million species. But how do these dire statistics translate into on the ground suffering of animals and affect the ongoing work of the animal protection community? This talk will explore how climate change is affecting efforts to protect wildlife, companion animals, captive research and display animals, farm animals, animals in disasters, and other animals; highlight the unique role farm animals play as both a cause and victims of climate change; suggest concrete steps to confront and mitigate this rapidly emerging global humane crisis, and explore how different social movements can work together to protect animals, people, and the planet.

Humane Society International (HSI) works around the globe to rescue and protect animals in need, improve farm animal welfare, protect wildlife and confront cruelty to animals. In this session, we will share unique HSI programs and campaigns that are currently underway to help companion animals – from ending the dog meat trade in Asia and training veterinarians in Latin America, to operating high-volume, high-quality spay-neuter projects in India, which reach tens of thousands of animals every year. On the dog meat trade, we will provide an exciting update on recent successes to end dog meat farming in South Korea once and for all. We will also share our efforts to end the trade of wildlife and exotic pets including glass frogs, the shark fin trade and explore the connection between wildlife trade and pandemics. You will also learn about our human-wildlife coexistence work. And finally, we'll describe our campaign to end trophy hunting, including recent successes that are helping reach a tipping point in ending this archaic and cruel practice. Find out how animal advocates and organizations can join our efforts to create a more humane world.

In this workshop, we’ll explore key strategies for getting federal lawmakers’ attention on animal protection measures amid so many other competing demands, and how to build momentum and push legislation over the finish line despite the challenges of a polarized Congress. We’ll discuss some of the top priorities for 2022 involving equine welfare, puppy mills, farmed animals, wildlife and more, and invite attendees to take actions to help move these measures forward.

From wildlife protection to pet homelessness, many animal protection issues are regulated at the state level. State legislators are very accessible to constituents and your voice can make a difference. Learn more about the importance of being an advocate for animals in your statehouse and how to be most effective.

The political arena can be difficult to navigate, especially when personal beliefs and identities come into play. In this session, HSUS State Directors Molly Tamulevich, Megan Nicholson and Preston Moore will discuss some of the challenges that advocates may face when confronted with gender bias, homophobia, and other obstacles that can complicate our work. We will discuss our experiences interacting with lawmakers from a variety of backgrounds, how to build bridges, and when to take space for our own peace of mind.

The war against wolves has been a grueling, continuous fight – whether it’s at the state level opposing trophy hunting seasons in the Great Lakes and Northern Rocky Mountains region, at the federal level fighting against harmful measures in Congress, or filing litigation to keep wolves protected. In this panel, moderated by Jill Fritz, HSUS's Senior Director of Wildlife Protection, you’ll hear from the experts on the front lines of the battle to keep wolves protected across the country. You’ll learn useful tactics and strategies on how to educate and communicate with members of the public, state wildlife agencies, and lawmakers to effectively advocate for wolf protections

Getting laws adopted for animals at the local level is a powerful way to win protections animals desperately need. Plus, it’s significantly easier than getting state and federal laws adopted. Why? Because your local elected officials are your neighbors, and because local governments (city/town councils and county governments) are far more nimble and often far more innovative than state and federal bodies. And, bonus: A well-crafted ordinance such as a ban on the sale of puppy mill dogs in local pet stores or a ban on the use of wild animals in circus acts in your town supports efforts to enact a statewide law. In this session you'll learn how to determine which local law has the best chance of being adopted in your community, the nuts and bolts of how to pass it and how you can be the leader your community has been waiting for.

In response to the growing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical products, the fashion world has seemingly gone fur-free opting for more innovative alternatives. Legislators at city, state and country levels are now looking to align policy with consumer and corporate values by introducing bans on new fur sales. Please join PJ Smith, Director of Fashion Policy for the HSUS, and Max Broad, President of DC Voters for Animals, as they discuss the fur-free movement and how to pass a fur sales ban in your city.

In this workshop you will hear from two speakers who are at the forefront of the effort to stop puppy mill cruelty once and for all. John Goodwin and Mindi Callison will discuss strategies, tactics and best campaign practices so that you can learn to make a real difference in your hometown or state. Their goal is to help you be the best leader you can be in your efforts, whether you are working on a local ordinance to stop the sale of puppies in pet stores, to pass state legislation to improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding kennels or preparing an outreach campaign to help consumers make the connection between the puppy in the pet store window and the mother in a barren cage.

There has been a global trend toward eliminating the use of animal testing to assess the safety of cosmetic products such as lipstick, shampoo and aftershave. More and more the world is “becoming cruelty-free.” In this session, learn about our work to end cosmetics animal testing here in the United States and around the globe, discover how companies can be certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny Program, and find out how you can help support an end to this cruel and unnecessary testing. 

In this workshop, we’ll explore key strategies for getting federal lawmakers’ attention on animal protection measures amid so many other competing demands, and how to build momentum and push legislation over the finish line despite the challenges of a polarized Congress. We’ll discuss some of the top priorities for 2022 involving equine welfare, puppy mills, farmed animals, wildlife and more, and invite attendees to take actions to help move these measures forward.

From wildlife protection to pet homelessness, many animal protection issues are regulated at the state level. State legislators are very accessible to constituents and your voice can make a difference. Learn more about the importance of being an advocate for animals in your statehouse and how to be most effective.

Learn the Do’s and Don’ts of skillful lobbying, because it is more than just telling our story. Our speakers, with varying political backgrounds and experiences, will provide examples of successful messaging to help you speak your lawmakers’ language. This interactive session will offer tips and effective ways to persuade lawmakers who approach animal protection issues from a progressive or conservative lens. When we learn to frame our issues in their language, animals can find support on both sides of the aisle.