Strengthening Ohio Through Training & Advocacy

Animal Welfare

Dec 8

This year, OAA has increased our training efforts – from workshops on the link between animal and human violence, to community cat summits, and the Cleveland State University Animal Law Conference. Thanks to the support of the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust, the Joanie Bernard Foundation, and United Spay Alliance, OAA, in partnership with Together Initiative for Ohio's Community Cats and Give Them Ten, was able to continue our annual in-person community cat summits in Cincinnati and Cleveland and expand our reach into communities in need. We are seeing an uptick in community cat cruelty cases across the state this year. We are working with local advocates and municipal leaders to support collaborative efforts on trap/neuter/return (Check out OAA's community cat guide) and to educate citizens that, under the recent Ohio Supreme Court decision, both indoor and outdoor dogs and cats are protected against felony cruelty. OAA was requested to submit an amicus brief in this Supreme Court case by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors.

Vicki Deisner, OAA Executive Director, and Dr. Gonzalez, OAA Board member, spoke at the Cleveland State University Animal Law Conference on the prosecution of animal cruelty cases.

Dr. Gonzalez spoke at the Animal Legal Defense Fund's 33rd Animal Law Conference on the gaps in companion animal legal protection, and Vicki continues to lecture to the Cleveland State University animal law clinic students on current animal welfare challenges, such as the link between animal and human violence.

OAA, with support from the Animal Welfare Institute and in partnership with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy, is conducting a series of in-person trainings for law enforcement, humane agents, social and case workers, domestic violence advocates, and attorneys on the link between animal and humane violence. We have completed training at Owens College in Perrysburg and Kent State in Twinsburg, but will continue to train through March 2026 at: