Our Mission

Advocating for Animals and Their Habitats

The Defend Them All Foundation (DTA) is a nonprofit organization working to secure a better future for animals and their habitats through community advocacy, education, and legal guidance.

We bridge the gap between local action and systemic change to ensure that all animals are represented when their interests are at stake, utilizing strategic legal and non-legal tools. We take on issues that are often overlooked or underserved, and aim to drive meaningful change by engaging, supporting, and  collaborating with advocates advancing animal welfare causes in their community.

Effective, long-lasting reform is a marathon, not a sprint; all our initiatives begin with a detailed analysis of existing rules, root causes of a problem, and locality-specific challenges. We ask difficult questions, explore complexities, expose corruption and keep decision-makers accountable to animals and their habitats, to empower more informed strategy and systemic change. 

Driving Change for Animal Welfare

Together we advance groundbreaking reform on complex issues ranging from pesticides to companion animal cruelty and endangered species protection by working in three principle ways: supporting advocates defending animals and their habitats at a local level; offering educational opportunities for students in animal and environmental law and policy; and developing work product that informs and strengthens advocacy initiatives.

Policy Research and Analysis

Informing Advocacy and Reform

Research and Policy Analysis informs legal and regulatory dialogues and strengthens advocacy initiatives by clearly defining problems, potential opportunities for reform, and cultural, social, and economic barriers to such change. Whether our research projects are inspired by a student, a client, or undertaken in furtherance of one of our advocacy led initiatives, we aspire to contribute to the animal welfare movement and fuel long-lasting change. 

Commitment to Listening, Learning, and Collaboration

We are but one small part of the animal welfare movement. We embrace opportunities to listen, learn, discuss, and collaborate. 

We strive to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive culture that promotes honest conversations, and respectful exchanges of ideas.

We seek to understand the perspectives of communities burdened by injustices, honor their priorities, and empower their success in driving meaningful reform for animals. 

Our programs prioritize discovery, exploration, and experiential learning, which we believe are key catalysts for professional development, and effective advocacy.