Written by
ACE Team
December 21, 2023
6 minute read
Victories for Animals in 2023 and Our Hopes for 2024
As we reflect on the past calendar year in the ever-evolving landscape of animal advocacy, we are delighted to share some of our team members’ personal highlights on the remarkable victories accomplished by the movement in 2023. Moreover, as we stand on the cusp of a new year, our team also shared their hopes and aspirations for the animal advocacy movement in 2024. Join us on this inspiring journey as we celebrate wins, express gratitude, and set our sights on a future filled with even greater accomplishments for animals.
Best animal advocacy wins of 2023
California’s Proposition 12 upheld
In 2023, I was excited and relieved when the U.S. Supreme Court decided to uphold California’s Prop 12—considered one of the most significant farmed animal protection laws in the world. This legislation bans intensive cage confinement within California, as well as bans the sale of out-of-state meat and eggs that come from pigs and chickens who spend their short lives in cages so small they can’t even turn around.
—Heather Herrell, Development Director
I was excited to see the California Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop 12 as a big win against factory farming.
—Mo Esan, Board Member
The Supreme Court [upheld] California’s Prop 12, some of the strongest animal welfare legislation in the world.
—Eleanor McAree, Movement Grants Manager
Movement-wise: My favorite accomplishment was the upholding of California’s Prop 12—the strongest farm animal welfare law in the U.S.—which sends a clear message that preventing animal cruelty is a key focus and more important than company profit.
—Holly Baines, Communications Manager
Strides in cultured and plant-based meat
I was very excited to see the USDA approve the sale of cultivated meat, making the U.S. the second country in the world to start selling it (after Singapore). It was also really promising to read reports of the continuing decline in the consumption and production of animal products in Germany—let’s hope this trend continues, and that other major countries follow suit. Meanwhile in the U.K., where I live, it was great to see the public call from academics for universities to go plant-based, with many universities already voting to do so.
—Max Taylor, Researcher
[I was thrilled to see] cultivated meat go on sale in the U.S.
—Eleanor McAree, Movement Grants Manager
Animal rights exhibit in The British Library
Though a seemingly small event without a direct reduction in animal suffering, I was very pleased to hear of the exhibit Animal Rights: From the Margins to the Mainstream, in The British Library’s Treasures Gallery. A national institution that incorporated an archive of literature on animal liberation for the future and dedicated an exhibit, if only temporarily, to the fight for animal rights feels indicative of pro-animal scholarship becoming increasingly normal. It seems society at large is beginning to recognize animal rights as a legitimate issue.
—Stien van der Ploeg, Executive Director
Swiss poll on factory farming
[I was excited to see the] Swiss national poll on factory farming. Although it did not pass, 37% voted to abolish factory farming. The poll started the debate in Switzerland about the welfare of animals.
—Eleanor McAree, Movement Grants Manager
Other Wins at ACE
This was also my first full year working at ACE, and I have felt incredibly lucky to help disburse Movement Grants to fantastic projects all around the world, evaluate and recommend some extremely exciting charities, and to be part of such a dedicated, humble, supportive team.
—Max Taylor, Researcher
I was so thrilled to see how some of our former Movement Grantees, such as New Roots Institute and Shrimp Welfare Initiative, are now Recommended Charities! As part of my role in the evaluations team, I got to read through their achievements in the past year and see firsthand all the impressive work their staff and volunteers have done. I think this is one of my favorite parts of my job, that I get to see young organizations thrive with our support.
—Alina Salmen, Researcher
ACE-wise: I’m proud of our new branding which better reflects who we are today and our goals for the future.
—Holly Baines, Communications Manager
Hopes for animal advocacy in 2024
Focus on neglected animals
I hope to see more focus and support for neglected species in 2024, such as fishes, crustaceans, and invertebrates. This could look like foundational research into identifying and measuring pain indicators into commonly farmed insects (e.g. crickets), and working to increase receptiveness to supporting nonhuman animals that most people struggle to empathize with (e.g., shrimp).
—Holly Baines, Communications Manager
I really hope to see more campaigns and mainstream media coverage focused on the huge issues with intensive fish farming. Here in the U.K., there are signs that people are starting to see through the clean facade of the Scottish salmon industry, thanks in large part to hard-hitting undercover investigations by animal advocacy organizations. Similarly, I hope to see continued strides in bringing plant-based and cultivated fish alternatives to market.
—Max Taylor, Researcher
Research into animal advocacy
I came to ACE as a former academic researcher, and I am passionate about using scientific research to figure out how to do the most good we can. My big (and ambitious) hope for the movement would be a joint movement research agenda based on the needs of advocates, and a platform for collective efforts between research organizations to work on the most pressing questions.
—Alina Salmen, Researcher
Within the movement, I hope that we start tackling the many implications of AI advances for animals’ rights and welfare, and using AI tools in a responsible, well-considered way to allow us to help even more animals.
—Max Taylor, Researcher
Legislation for farmed animals
In 2024, I hope that more U.S. states will follow California’s lead in improving the inhumane living conditions for animals raised in cruel confinement, abused, and slaughtered for consumption. I hope that animal advocates around the globe will be inspired to fight for similar changes in their countries. Ultimately, I hope for a future free from the immense suffering caused by factory farming.
—Heather Herrell, Development Director
I hope to see strengthened enforcement of existing legislation that prevents cruelty and secures protection for animals.
—Mo Esan, Board Member
Two countries to approve cultured meat
[In 2024], the first cultivated meat applications in Europe will be approved in Switzerland and the U.K.
—Eleanor McAree, Movement Grants Manager
More funding for animals
The pool of funding available globally to end animal agriculture is still abysmally small—compared to how much funding is dedicated to other cause areas but in particular compared to the scope of the challenge. Therefore, the first thing I’d like to see is an increase in donations to end the needless horrors that billions of individuals continue to face. And at ACE, we’ll do our best and use our smarts and hearts to deepen that pool of money.
—Stien van der Ploeg, Executive Director
Help Animals Year-Round
This year’s victories for animals would not have been possible without the support of empathetic donors. By becoming a monthly donor to the Recommended Charity Fund, Movement Grants, or ACE, you help ensure that passionate advocates can continue their essential work to create a better world for animals, one victory at a time.
Of course, neglected animals are at risk.