Politics, Paws, and Passing Laws

Please join this panel, as the Animal Law Program will discuss how advocates pass laws for animals, from conception to drafting, lobbying, testifying, and enacting laws. Local and state laws are important to protecting animals within our homes, our community, and our world. Great strides have been made in recent years, especially in the District of Columbia, with the enactment of several progressive bills, including the recent Animal Care and Control Omnibus Act of 2022. But how do these laws get passed in light of competing priorities and political differences? Join our panelists, including two GW Animal Welfare Project volunteers, who will share their perspectives on how the proverbial (vegan) sausage gets made. From conception to drafting, lobbying, testifying, amending, and ultimately enactment, you will hear first-hand how advocates successfully pass laws for animals. Panelists Kailey McNeal (she/her) is a third-year law student at The George Washington University Law School. Throughout high school and college, she worked on animal protection legislation in her home state of Texas. She is currently the student leader of the Animal Welfare Project, for which she has testified in front of DC Council, compiled legal research, and advocated for legislation to improve the lives of animals and people in the District. She is particularly passionate about the racial justice implications of animal-friendly legislation. Andrew Murphy is a second-year law student at GW Law. Andrew’s interest in policy began as an undergraduate intern at the Scottish Parliament, where he researched a variety of issues, including the protection of native salmon populations. At GW, Andrew has worked with the Animal Welfare Pro Bono Project to develop legislation for the DC Counsel regarding affordable housing for people living with animals and a potential ban on the production and sale of new animal fur products. In his free time, Andrew enjoys hiking, photography, and skiing. Alicia Prygoski is the Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, where she oversees the organization’s federal legislative portfolio as well as manages legislative campaigns for animal protection at the state and local levels. Before joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Alicia worked on farmed animal policy at both the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Welfare Institute. Alicia has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Western Michigan University-Cooley where she founded and ran the school’s Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter. She is a recipient of the Wanda A. Nash Award from the State Bar of Michigan Animal Law Section for advancing animal law in the state. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Michigan-based farmed animal sanctuary, Barn Sanctuary, and volunteers with a DC-based animal rescue organization as a dog foster. Kelly Whittier serves as the Director of Communications, Engagement, and Outreach at the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness located within the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. At the Redstone Center, she works on public health policy at the intersection of chronic disease and climate change in the District of Columbia. Prior to joining the university, Kelly was a Director of Communications and Legislative Aide for Councilmember Mary M. Cheh at the Council of the District of Columbia, where her legislative portfolio focused on both domestic animal and wildlife welfare issues as well as medical aid in dying. Her efforts to improve the care and quality of life of the District's animals continues with her support of the work of the GW Animal Welfare Project, the Humane Rescue Alliance, and DC Voters for Animals. Moderator Joan Schaffner (ze/zir) is a professor at The George Washington University Law School, Faculty Co-Director, Animal Legal Education Initiative, and Director, Animal Welfare Project.