Julia Tomkins Wisner
When the industry pushes cruel bills, advocates push back. Discover how animal protection wins are made, one hard-fought statehouse battle at a time.
Animal protection isn’t just about passing new laws—it’s about holding the line when powerful interests try to undo progress.
In a recent episode of the Our Hen House podcast, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan go behind-the-scenes with those who are fighting—and winning—defensive battles for animals in state legislatures across the country.
Why defensive campaigns matter right now
Factory farming interests and their lobbyists are relentless. Every year, bills are introduced that would make it harder to expose cruelty, roll back oversight, or expand harmful practices. Yet, thanks to a determined network of advocates and allies, many of these threats never become law.
On episode four of their series in collaboration with with the Animal Policy Alliance, Our Hen House interviews three extraordinary leaders:
- Bob Baker (Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation)
- Joshua Levin (CT Votes for Animals)
- Hannah Truxell (The Humane League & Animal Policy Alliance)
Together, they share how grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and smart strategy are protecting animals—often against overwhelming odds.
“They tried to silence us—so we brought more voices.”
One of the most inspiring stories comes from Missouri, where lawmakers tried to pass anti-drone bills that would have made it illegal to document what happens inside factory farms. The agriculture industry wanted secrecy—but advocates knew the public deserves to know how animals are treated.
Instead of giving up, Bob Baker and his coalition worked behind the scenes, forging alliances with surprising partners: law enforcement, fire departments, ambulance associations, and search and rescue groups. By showing how these bills threatened public safety, they stopped the bills in their tracks.
“We flooded the hearing with real people—568 voices against cruelty.”
In Connecticut, a bill to expand rabbit farming was met with a tidal wave of public testimony. The numbers tell the story: five people supported the bill; 568 spoke out against it. Joshua Levin, with backing from the Animal Policy Alliance, dialed in on the research, talking points, and legislative know-how to make an impact for rabbits. The result? Lawmakers listened, and the bill died in session.
Grassroots power isn’t just a slogan—it’s a force that can stop bad bills when people work together and speak up.
“Winning means building unlikely coalitions.”
What sets these advocates apart isn’t just their passion—it’s their ability to bring diverse voices together. Whether it’s small family farmers speaking up against industrial agriculture, high school students learning how to testify, or law enforcement explaining why transparency matters, success is built on finding common ground.
As Hannah Truxell reflected, effective legislative strategies for defending animal protection laws often necessitate arguments that extend beyond direct animal welfare concerns. Her team at the Animal Policy Alliance supports grassroots organizations by providing policy research, drafting model legislation, and developing campaign strategies that leverage shared values like community well-being, public safety, and economic fairness, making it possible for coalitions to successfully counter well-funded opposition despite being “outspent and outmaneuvered by powerful industry interests.”
The agricultural lobby may have more money, but advocates have something more powerful: the truth, and the public’s trust. By leveraging evidence-based arguments, strategic messaging, and a willingness to work across party lines, the guests on this episode show that progress is possible—even when the deck is stacked.
These are not easy fights. Sometimes, just holding on to existing protections is a huge win. But every time a harmful bill is stopped, it means fewer animals suffering and more transparency for all. And as Hannah, Bob, and Joshua remind us—change happens when real people step forward and refuse to let cruelty go unchallenged.
You can listen to the full episode here or on your favorite podcast platform.
Want to help defend animals in your state? Visit the Animal Policy Alliance or The Humane League to learn how you can take action—your voice could be the one that tips the scale.
