Join Dr. James Lombella for CFA’s educational webinar: Protecting Connecticut’s Black Bears—Myths, Facts & the Path Forward to Peaceful Co-existence. Learn what’s true, what’s not, and how to keep bears (and people) safe.

Animal cruelty is considered the number one concern among animal advocates in CT! Join Dr. Lombella, CEO /President of Connecticut for Animals Education Fund (CFA) and Colette Griffin, Administrative Law Judge (Waterbury) and CFA’s Board Chair, for an informative webinar with panel experts discussing animal cruelty laws and their impact in Connecticut, featuring three distinguished guest presenters: Joshua Levin - Legislative and Advocacy Manager for CT Votes for Animals: - Joshua will discuss CVA’s 2025 survey results that point to animal abuse and neglect as the top animal welfare concern in the state. Attorney Joyce Glass, Courtroom Attorney Advocate under Desmond’s Law - Discussing Desmond’s Law (PA 16-30), the nation’s first Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) - Exploring how Desmond’s Law has influenced animal cruelty prosecutions in our state and impacted legislation in other states - Explaining the role and responsibilities of volunteer Animal Advocates in Connecticut’s court system Zilla Cannamela, President of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates - Highlighting the various forms of animal cruelty and the critical link between animal abuse, domestic violence, and broader social violence - Examining the rise in animal cruelty cases in Connecticut and how these cases are addressed within our judicial system. This educational webinar will provide valuable insight into animal welfare law, community advocacy, and the urgent need for awareness about the laws protecting animals across Connecticut.

Join us for an important presentation on the harmful effects of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) on Connecticut's wildlife. Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides are killing Connecticut's wildlife and their offspring at an alarming rate. The use of SGARs is counterproductive to rodent control by poisoning, harming and killing the very animals that naturally regulate rodent populations throughout Connecticut. Our guest speaker, Christine Cummings, Director of A Place Called Hope, will share insights and provide a live raptor demonstration to illustrate the importance of natural rodent control methods. Nicole Rivard, Media/Government Relations Manager for Friends of Animals, will discuss ways in which you can help to ban these harmful poisons. Learn firsthand how we can come “together for animals” and help stop this unnecessary poisoning impacting wildlife in CT and beyond.

An educational webinar: The Effects of Neonicotinoids / Pesticides on our Pollinators, Insects, Animals, and Ecosystems - How you can HELP!

No topic other than animal cruelty could be more fitting for CFA’s first educational program. And no one other than CFA Board Member and animal cruelty expert, Dr. Virginia Maxwell could be better suited to deliver this presentation. A professor and Assistant Chair of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven, Virginia is credited with developing the first graduate program in animal cruelty investigation at the University. She is also the co-author of one of the first books on animal cruelty investigation.