Animal Law Clinic
Student attorneys and faculty with the Animal Law Clinic work on national, state and local policy addressing animal welfare issues, such as puppy mills, feral and community cats, and former race horses.
The Animal Law Clinic focuses on national, state and local policy addressing animal welfare issues, such as puppy mills, feral and community cats, and former racehorses.
Contact Us
Kim Diana Connolly, Director
University at Buffalo,
School of Law
507 O'Brian Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
716-645-2167, law-clinic@buffalo.edu
Restorative Justice Practices
As the book Managing Community Cats: A Guide for Municipal Leaders points out, “The issue of managing community cats can create [d]issent … among neighbors; between cat advocates and wildlife advocates; and among animal care and control leaders, local government leaders, and their constituents.”
Student attorneys are learning about how innovative Restorative Justice practices might help settle such local disputes regarding community cats. A local court has diverted one case before it, in which the Clinic represents a client, to a formal restorative justice conference for resolution. The School of Law is on the forefront of using these techniques, and Director Kim Diana Connolly will earn her graduate school certification in Restorative Justice from the International Institute for Restorative Practices in December.