Animal cruelty is considered the number one concern among animal advocates in CT! Join Dr. Lombella, CEO /President of Connecticut for Animals Education Fund (CFA) and Colette Griffin, Administrative Law Judge (Waterbury) and CFA’s Board Chair, for an informative webinar with panel experts discussing animal cruelty laws and their impact in Connecticut, featuring three distinguished guest presenters: Joshua Levin - Legislative and Advocacy Manager for CT Votes for Animals: - Joshua will discuss CVA’s 2025 survey results that point to animal abuse and neglect as the top animal welfare concern in the state. Attorney Joyce Glass, Courtroom Attorney Advocate under Desmond’s Law - Discussing Desmond’s Law (PA 16-30), the nation’s first Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) - Exploring how Desmond’s Law has influenced animal cruelty prosecutions in our state and impacted legislation in other states - Explaining the role and responsibilities of volunteer Animal Advocates in Connecticut’s court system Zilla Cannamela, President of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates - Highlighting the various forms of animal cruelty and the critical link between animal abuse, domestic violence, and broader social violence - Examining the rise in animal cruelty cases in Connecticut and how these cases are addressed within our judicial system. This educational webinar will provide valuable insight into animal welfare law, community advocacy, and the urgent need for awareness about the laws protecting animals across Connecticut.

In this collaborative episode with The Humane League's Animal Policy Alliance, Our Hen House explores the critical defensive battles being waged in state legislatures to protect animals from harmful agricultural industry bills. From blocking anti-drone legislation in Missouri to defeating rabbit farming expansion in Connecticut, our guests share their strategies for legislative success despite being outspent and outmaneuvered by powerful industry interests. Our guests: • Bob Baker (Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation) • Joshua Levin (@ctvotesforanimals6516) • Hannah Truxell (@TheHumaneLeague 's Animal Policy Alliance) Key topics covered: • Successfully blocking anti-drone bills that would prevent documentation of factory farm abuses • Defeating rabbit farming expansion with overwhelming public testimony (568 against vs. 5 in support) • Building strategic coalitions with unexpected allies including small farmers and law enforcement • Leveraging research and evidence-based arguments to strengthen grassroots advocacy • Engaging youth through education about legislative process and animal protection • Using behind-the-scenes tactics to work effectively with legislators across party lines #AnimalAdvocacy #LegislativeAdvocacy #AnimalPolicyAlliance #OurHenHouse #AnimalProtection #GrassrootsAdvocacy #TheHumaneLeague #MissouriAlliance #CTVotesForAnimals

Joshua Levin, Legislative and Advocacy Manager for CT Votes for Animals will provide an update on how animals fared after this year's legislative session. He is joined by Lobbyist and Communications Director for Focus Government Affairs, Alexis Bourassa.

Each year, black bears prepare for winter hibernation in late summer and fall. During this time, bears must gain 3 to 5 pounds every day to survive the winter months without food. This foraging is even more important for female bears, who need the extra weight to give birth to healthy cubs in the spring. Because they’re constantly searching for food, bears can come into contact with their human neighbors. These normal encounters are often quickly labeled as “conflicts” and used to justify trophy hunting and other forms of lethal bear “management.” In this webinar, the Humane Society of the United States, CT Votes for Animals, Connecticut Chapter Sierra Club, Friends of Animals, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, and the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association share facts about bears and their behaviors, as well as simple steps you can take to coexist with them. Together, we can help keep bears alive and people safe!

CVA is working double time to keep you informed about legislation that impacts animals. If you want to follow along or want to know more about other bills, the CGA website is the place to find it. Jo-Anne Basile, CVA's Executive Director will be your guide to demystifying the Assembly's website.

The shooting death in May 2022 of Bobbi the bear in Newtown sparked outrage across the state. Join CT Coalition to Protect Bears for an educational webinar hosted by the Sierra Club - CT. Listen to the webinar for a recap of the recent incident in Newtown, an update on the status of Bobbi's cubs being rehabilitated in New Hampshire, listen to wildlife experts discuss how to co-exist peacefully with bears, and what the future legislative landscape might look like.

Get to know CT Votes for Animals and consider joining us! Animals across Connecticut need YOUR help and this is a great organization to do that in a very long term, impactful way. Special thanks to Bellusci Creative for filming, editing, producing, and participating in this beautiful video, and to CVA volunteer Chris Kerin for his partnership on the video throughout the process. Featuring CVA Board Members and Volunteers: JoAnne Basile, Jessica Rubin, Susan Linker, Ruth Cutrone, Jennifer Wynn, Chris Kerin, Mark Bellusci, and John Gagnon

Make Your Voice Heard and learn how to testify at a legislative public hearing. CT-N shows you how in this short video series. In this first of five clips we'll look at some of the reasons you should speak up and the basics of the legislative process.