United States

Brief Summary of Animals in Circuses and the Laws Governing Them
Anastasia Niedrich (2010)

Brief Summary of Pets in Trusts
Rebecca F. Wisch (2008; updated 2010)

According to a Gallup Poll conducted in 2007, 59% of Americans own a cat or dog.   Most of these same people view their companion animals as members of the family.   The importance people place upon companion animals has only increased in recent years, both in terms of the amount of money spent on them and the reported emotional value owners place upon those pets.

Brief Summary of State Spay and Neuter Laws
Cynthia Hodges, J.D., LL.M., M.A. (2010)

Brief Summary of Pet/Companion Animal Damages
Rebecca F. Wisch (2003)

Brief Summary of Feral Cat Legal Issues
David Fry (2009)

Brief Summary of Feral Cat Population Issues
Tony LaCroix (2006)

 
Photo by Ilmari Karonen (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Brief Summary of the Cycle of Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse
Emilie Ridge (2008)

Brief Summary of Pets in Divorce/Custody Issues
Tabby McLain (2009)

Brief Summary of State Cat Laws
Cynthia Hodges, J.D., LL.M., M.A. (2010)

Brief Summary of Emotional Support Animals and Housing Laws
Kate Brewer (2005)

Persons with disabilities have an equal right to housing as those without disabilities. It is illegal for a landlord to deny housing to a person because that person, or someone associated with that person, has a mental or physical disability.