“Because They Need Us” – New Animal Rights Book Is Instant Bestseller
Judie Mancuso’s new animal rights book Because They Need Us reveals the strategies and stories behind decades of animal protection laws
Los Angeles, December 15th, 2024 — In the fight for animal rights, few voices are as powerful as Judie Mancuso’s. Her new bestseller, Because They Need Us, reveals a lifetime of battling animal exploitation industry giants, lobbying reluctant lawmakers, and championing the cause of defenseless animals. Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), has achieved the unthinkable: spearheading the passage of twenty eight powerful animal-protection laws, including California’s groundbreaking bans on puppy mill sales and animal-tested cosmetics.
Because They Need Us reads like a thriller, capturing her fierce determination as she takes on lobbyists, turns down million dollar bribes, and leverages celebrity support to enact legislation in the world’s fifth-largest economy: California. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchel interviews Mancuso alongside her right-hand man, attorney Nick Sackett, shedding light on the strategies that have made SCIL one of the world’s most effective advocacy groups.
Watch the Interview & Learn Judie Mancuso’s Secret to Passing Laws
From License Plates to Policy
Judie Mancuso is the founder, CEO and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. Under her direction, SCIL has spearheaded more than 70 bills – including 28 that have been signed into law. Since SCIL was founded in 2007, Judie has been recognized for her fierce advocacy and tireless efforts to protect animals. In 2019, Judie was named as one of most influential people in Orange County. She is currently Vice Chair of the City of Laguna Beach Environmental and Sustainability Committee and formally served two terms as a public member of the California Veterinary Medical Board.
One of SCIL’s early victories was the creation of California’s Pet Lover’s License Plate program, which generates millions for spay and neuter initiatives. While effective, Mancuso notes it’s not enough to solve the state’s ongoing dog and cat overpopulation crisis. “Overbreeding and inadequate resources leave shelters overwhelmed, leading to euthanasia as a tragic norm,” she explains. The license plate, alongside other initiatives like mandatory microchipping, exemplifies her strategy: practical, enforceable laws that address root causes.
The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act: A Game-Changing Win for Animals!
Mancuso teamed up with PETA and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to pass one of the most game-changing animal rights laws ever: the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, which prohibits the sale of animal-tested cosmetic products in California, a law that has since inspired similar measures across the country.
Another victory, the Dining with Dogs Act, allows people to bring their canine companion animals to restaurant patios—a meaningful change that highlights Mancuso’s ability to humanize the policy process. This is now law in California and New York with dog lovers in other states across the U.S. clamoring for similar legislation.
For anyone seeking inspiration — or a roadmap — to make a difference, Because They Need Us is a must-read. You can watch another interview with Judie Mancuso here:
A Playbook for Advocacy
Because They Need Us is not just a recounting of triumphs but a blueprint for change. Mancuso details the challenges of overcoming powerful opposition, such as industries that use “astroturfing” (hiring fake protesters to oppose animal-friendly laws) or “lobbying up” (hiring as many lobbyists as you possibly can) with fleets of corporate representatives. She also highlights the importance of building coalitions, from celebrities like Joaquin Phoenix to organizations like The Center for Biological Diversity, PETA and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Nick Sackett, Social Compassion in Legislation’s Sacramento-based Director of Legislative Affairs, emphasizes the group’s long-standing presence in Sacramento as a key to their success. He said,
“Legislators in Sacramento know who we are. If they have questions about laws pertaining to animals, many times they will reach out to us directly rather than us going to them. Judie has been working on these issues in California for decades now. She has a long history up and down the state.”
This reputation allows SCIL to influence policy far beyond California, with many of their laws serving as models for other states.
“After being at the capital for 17 years, you learn a lot. You learn by experience. It’s not something that you get taught in a university.” — Judy Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation
Always New Legislative Projects to Tackle
Mancuso and SCIL continue to address pressing challenges, from eliminating the use of live animals in classroom dissections to tackling the veterinary shortage hampering spay and neuter efforts. The book’s message is clear: the fight for animals isn’t easy, but with persistence, collaboration, and strategy, progress is possible.
Mancuso said the following about her current projects:
“The other action that we’re looking into is to bring out-of-state veterinarians into our state to be able to do high volume spay and neuter. So, to get them a license, to be licensed in California as quickly as possible so that they could do this, whether it’s a permanent full license or a temporary license. We’re looking into the logistics of all that right now.”
Anyone who donates $30 or more to Social Compassion in Legislation, will get Mancuso’s book sent to them for free.
You can watch this video about another legislative initiative Mancuso has been involved with, a California bill for Plant-Based School Meals:
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