The American Kennel Club® (AKC), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the launch of the fifth annual Companion Animal Law Writing Contest.

The contest, which launched on August 23 and runs through April 1, 2022, is open to all students currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school.  The contest will offer a first-place prize of $2500 and a second-place prize of $500.  This year’s topics, which include hypotheticals on the impact of “lawyers for dogs” laws on animal cruelty cases and the constitutionality of mandatory spay/neuter laws, offer students the unique opportunity to discuss real life examples facing animal owners at the forefront of animal law.  Entries will be judged by legal and public policy professionals with experience in laws impacting companion animals.

“Today’s law students represent the future of animal law, and it is key that their training prepares them for the multitude of legal fields and issues that may influence and impact how they advise their future clients,” said Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President of Government Relations.  “The fifth annual Companion Animal Law Writing Contest gives these future practitioners a chance to demonstrate their analysis of multifaceted issues that may impact animal ownership.  We look forward to reading this year’s submissions, and encourage interested students to submit their work.” 

Students may submit entries now through April 1, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EST. To learn more about the contest, including official rules and policies, please visit https://akcgr.org/akc/writeaboutanimallaw.

You can also “Like” the contest on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/writeaboutanimallaw/.