In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with three passionate advocates working to protect farmed animals through legislative action. Brian Hackett (Director of Government Relations at Associated Humane Societies), Amit Dhuleshia (co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals), and Hannah Truxell (Senior Policy Counsel with The Humane League) share their experiences fighting against the EATS Act—federal legislation that threatens to overturn state animal protection laws—and their strategies for passing and defending farmed animal protection measures across the country.

This episode explores:

• How grassroots activists are mobilizing to defeat the EATS Act, which would nullify California’s Proposition 12 and thousands of other state laws protecting animals, public health, and the environment
• The decade-long battle to ban gestation crates in New Jersey and the surprising coalition-building that finally made it successful
• Practical tactics for effective legislative advocacy, including how one phone call to your representative can make a meaningful difference
• The innovative “Action for Animals” app that simplifies contacting elected officials about animal issues
• Why traditional animal sheltering organizations have an important role to play in advocating for all animals, including those raised for food

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Amit Dhuleshia is a Co-founder of Strategic Action For Animals and Founder of the Action For Animals App (available for download on Play and App Store) as well as a full time grassroots advocate working to drive collective action in San Diego to fight animal exploitation through smart strategic grassroots campaigns for systematic change.

Brian Hackett serves as Director of Government and Community Relations at Associated Humane Societies, New Jersey’s largest animal sheltering organization, where he leads animal welfare policy initiatives and builds community partnerships. Previously, he worked as Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund and as New Jersey State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, successfully championing numerous animal protection laws including bans on cruel confinement practices, puppy mill restrictions, and circus animal protections. 

Hannah Truxell is the Senior Policy Counsel with The Humane League where she leads a team of researchers who focus on providing support to THL’s Animal Policy Alliance. She and her team focus on state, federal, and local policy research, drafting model legislation, and legislative and campaign strategy. Hannah led THL’s internal research for and support to the organization’s legal team’s success in defending California’s Proposition 12 before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hannah is the current Chair of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Animal Law Section and co-founded a Kentucky grassroots nonprofit, Kentucky Animal Action.

We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview.

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The Veganic Summit is a free online event from November 7th-9th, 2025. You’ll learn how plant foods can be grown using techniques that are both vegan and organic, without any chemical fertilizers or any animal byproducts like manure or bonemeal. If you’d like to start your own veganic garden or learn about sustainable plant-based farming, sign up for the Veganic Summit today at https://veganicsummit.com/

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