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The Animal Defense Coalition is an organized
non-for-profit operating exclusively to promote animal welfare and advocacy.
Our mission is to fight for local, statewide and national legislation which protects the rights of all animals to live free of harm and unnecessary cruelty.
What we do:
The Animal Defense Coalition 501(c)(4) is a lobbying and animal advocacy organization.
- We introduce animal welfare legislation
- Enforcement of existing legislation
- Any combination of the above
We work with lawmakers in ways that will bring about policy changes to end animal cruelty through education, outreach, and advocacy.
We network with grassroots activists and other national animal welfare organizations to utilize all resources which help to move our initiatives.
Some of our past achievements have been:
- Help to pass ordinances that ban the use of billhooks and other painful devices in the circus
- Pass ordinances that would allow sick service animals and their guardians to receive emergency veterinarian care assisted by our first responders
- Advocate for greyhound decoupling
- Advocate for county animal shelters to reach a 90% save rate or higher
OUR FOUNDERS
Michele Lazarow
Founder & CEO
Michele Lazarow is an activist and a City Commissioner in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Michele’s interest in politics came about through her passion to advocate for those who have no voice.
Michele started as a grassroots activist volunteering at Broward County Animal Care and adoption, organizing protests outside pet stores, the Miami Seaquarium, rodeos and other venues where animals were being exploited or used for entertainment.
in 2010, she wanted to pass retail sales ban which would stop the sales of puppy mill kittens and puppies in stores. She fought for over a year to make that happen in her city of Hallandale Beach. After the success in Hallandale Beach, another Commissioner approached her and asked her to consider running for office. He said that as an activist she could make changes, but as an elected official, she would be better positioned to make many more.
In 2012, she ran for office and won. During her first term from 2012-2016, Michele was able to educate other officials about the need for legislation that would protect both animals and consumers.
She helped to pass local ordinances banning the retail sales of puppies and kittens in more than 50 Florida municipalities. There are hundreds of puppy and kitten retail sales bans in the United States and Canada.
Some of the following cities in Florida have passed bans:
In Broward: Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Lauderhill, Margate, North Lauderdale, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Tamarac and Wilton Manors.
In Palm Beach County, bans were passed by Greenacres, Hypoluxo, Jupiter, Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.
In Miami-Dade, bans won approval in Aventura, Bal Harbour Village, Bay Harbor Islands, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Homestead, Miami Beach, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-Locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Sunny Isles Beach and Wellington.
Michele is currently in her second term as a Hallandale Beach City Commissioner. With support from animal lovers everywhere, she will advocate for any animal who can run, fly, swim or crawl.
When she isn’t advocating, she can be found spending her free time with her three rescue dogs, Sophie, Honey and Gidget.
Join Us
Please sign our email list to be informed about any legislation that may need your support in your city or state.