United States

Brief Summary of Humane Societies and Enforcement Powers
Christopher A. Pierce (2011)

Brief Summary of Animal Hoarding
Victoria Hayes (2009)

Brief Summary of State Cruelty Laws
Rebecca F. Wisch (2005, updated 2010)

Brief Summary of Laws Concerning Animals in Film Media
Vincent Rizzo (2012)

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