The fastest way to educate yourself about a broad range of animal law issues is to enrol in a course in animal law. However in order to practise animal law effectively you will need to be familiar with a wide range of legal disciplines.

If you find yourself enrolled at a law school that doesn’t yet teach animal law, there may still be opportunities for cross-institutional study/student exchanges which will enable you to gain some exposure to animal law. Here at Voiceless, we also have a few ideas as to how you can learn more about animal law and the issues of highest importance in the animal protection arena:

• Join Voiceless Law Talk, our on-line think-tank designed to facilitate discussion amongst legal practitioners, law students and academics in the emerging area of 'animal law'. To learn more about the think-tank and/or register, please visit Law Talk.
• Help raise awareness of animal protection issues such as factory farming at your university by writing an article for your student law association's magazine. We would be happy to assist you with editing any aspects of the article which relate to Voiceless and its activities. See Voiceless’s priority issues for inspiration.
• Research an animal law issue for one of your course/elective subjects if your university agrees that the research meets your course criteria. Follow this link for our topic ideas. If you publish a paper on animal law in Australia, please let us know as we would be like to obtain a copy for our library.
• Read widely! The field of animal law is expanding and there are a range of views, which may shape your own development as an animal advocate. Some of the key animal law books are listed here. You should also get informed about key animal protection issues.  To read an article on farm animal issues written by Voiceless's Corporate Counsel, please follow this link.
• Arrange a seminar for students and academic staff at your law faculty aimed at discussing the importance of animal law as an emerging field of legal practice and scholarship. Alternatively, speak to relevant persons in your faculty about your interest in studying animal law. If many students express such interest, this may facilitate the introduction of an animal law course.
• Get involved in animal law matters. Some states have animal law groups which you might like to join and many of these groups are open to students. Follow this link for your options. 
• Apply for a volunteer position at Voiceless. These are advertised on Voiceless Law Talk from time to time.
• If you volunteer in a community legal centre, be sure to let your supervisors know of your interest in animal law issues. You might also wish to volunteer with other animal protection organisations. Many such organisations are grateful to receive student assistance and they can provide valuable exposure to animal issues, even if the work you are doing is not directly connected with the practice of law.

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