Courses & Conferences
Established multi-disciplinary courses available to you
Given the fact that the law underpins all human interaction with animals, it follows that a sound understanding of the legal responsibilities pertaining to animals is essential information for all organisations, groups and/or individuals who are directly, or indirectly, involved with animals.
The contents and delivery of each course taught by International Animal-Law is adapted to suit the audience, and a legal background is not necessary for successful completion of the course. To date the Animals and the Law course taught by International Animal-Law has been attended by a wide range of professionals including lawyers, veterinarians, scientists, ethicists, and representatives from government and non-government organisations.
The Animals and the Law course has been delivered as face-to-face courses in Law Schools in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, as an online course for veterinary Masters students, adapted for presentation as a seminar series for Local Authorities in the United Kingdom, and is available online as a tailored education course for veterinarians and other professionals in New Zealand and Australia.
You have options on how to attend the IAL courses. There are face-to-face options presented on-site, or, you have on-line courses which are presented in convenient module form. See below for more information.
Your face-to-face and "on-site" courses ...
Seminars and Consultancy:
Animal Law Professional Development (ALPD) offers seminars and consultancy services to individuals and organisations whose work involves legal and/or ethical issues involving animals. For example, the ALPD seminars in the United Kingdom offer a specialised course addressing the Powers and Responsibilities of inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Further subjects are being developed in response to specific requests for education on selected topics including, for example, issues of dog control, conducting investigations, and aspects of effective enforcement including the role of the court witness.
Upcoming Courses:
Powers and Responsibilities Seminar under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales)
Where: England
The next seminar is provisionally set for October 2010. If you would like to attend the October seminars then please contact us via the contact page. Please note that to encourage group interaction and thereby facilitate learning the number of places at each seminar is restricted so you are encouraged to reserve your place early.
Further specialist courses and seminars are due to be added in 2010.
“I would like to stress how good I think this seminar was… it made us think about the Animal Welfare Act in a practical sense and I have come away from the seminar much more aware of the Act and what I can do”
Jane Taylor, Animal Health Officer, City of York Council
“Excellent presentation and a must to go to.”
Mark Berry, Principal LHD,
Your on-line options: Online Animal Law:
For those wishing to learn about animals and the law without having to worry about constraints of time, travel or other common hurdles to ongoing education, International Animal-Law in conjunction with VetScholar offer an on-line course in Animals and the Law.
In addition to the general online course, there is also a tailored option specifically developed for veterinary professionals in New Zealand and Australia.
Upcoming Courses:
Animal Welfare - Ethics, Science and Law
When: To enrol please contact IAL via the Contact Page
Where: Global availability
"I originally took the veterinary law course out of general interest but found that it was one of the most useful courses I've done. It's been helpful in all sorts of ways, for my veterinary work in practice to my responsibilities as a member of NAWAC. Completing the course has defined and clarified many things about the law, veterinary medicine, and animals for me. I have a clearer understanding of definitions, concepts about animal welfare and the Animal Welfare act, and given me the ability and knowledge to use the law in discussions with people who have defined views which are not quite accurate. I now am clearer in what the law expects from me and my clients and feel confident in helping clients meet their obligations. I really enjoyed it, got a lot from it and would thoroughly recommend it for other veterinarians."
Dr Karen M Phillips BVSc MACVSc, Veterinarian and Member of the New Zealand Government Advisory Committee (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC)).
Costs: Upon enquiry details will be forwarded to you.
For information on Module One of the On-line course click here.
University Options:
The course on Animals and the Law has been taught to undergraduates and postgraduates in law schools in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Although being offered as a law paper in the respective universities each course has been attended by representatives from a number of faculties including law, biological sciences, veterinary medicine, psychology, and private individuals from industry and non-government organisations.
Director of International Animal Law, Ian Robertson, is quoted as saying: "There is a need for education in animal law, but to be credible the education must present an objective, balanced view of the multiple stakeholders and interests involved". This approach is reflected in the courses taught in universities by Dr Robertson. Those courses have now been adapted and made available in the Online Animal Law modules.
The next face-to-face tertiary level course is scheduled to be taught by Director Ian Robertson at the University of Leeds School of Law in Leeds, England in January-March 2011.
Who has – and who should – attend the face-to-face or on-line courses of IAL:
Those who "make, influence, report, and/or work with" issues of animal law, including:
- Lawyers and Policy makers
- Health Professionals including Veterinarians, Doctors of human medicine, and associated Para-Professionals
- Scientists, Biologists, Environmentalists, Researchers, Ethicists,
- Social Workers, Psychologists
- Journalists, Reporters, Media
- Animal welfare Advisors and Consultants
- Non-Government Organisations, Animal Interest Groups
- Government departments and employees including Ministers, Police, Customs, DEFRA/MAF, Local Authorities/Councils, Inspectors
- Farmers, Breeders, Retailers, Transporters
- Industry reps, animal handlers and trainers
... anyone with direct – or indirect – professional, business and/or personal interests in animals.
Course enquiries
To enquire about attending a scheduled course, or organising a course for your organisation/syllabus, please go to the Contact page.