Megan A. Senatori

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When aspiring attorney Megan A. Senatori co-founded Wisconsin United for Furry Friends (WUFF) in 2001, the catchy acronym seemed like a good idea.

But after seven successful years of helping shelter pets of victims of domestic abuse, Senatori and fellow founder Pam Alexander figured it was time for a change.

So this spring, the organization changed its name to Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV).

“It was clear what our mission was, and the name WUFF, while cute, didn’t quite capture the seriousness of what we were doing,” said Senatori, an attorney at DeWitt Ross & Stevens, S.C., in Madison.

Senatori has always been serious about animal law, which was virtually non-existent during her years at the University of Wisconsin Law School. During her second year, she helped develop SAAV after learning about the number of people who remain in abusive relationships just to protect their pets.

“Between 18 and 40 percent of women coming into shelters with pets report that they didn’t leave earlier because of concern for welfare and safety of a pet,” said Senatori, who is president of SAAV. “That is why we started the program.”

A trial attorney by day — she recently completed work on a five-week insurance case involving Appleton Paper, Inc. — Senatori spends most of her “free” time coordinating SAAV operations with the Dane County Humane Society and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services.

She also teaches an animal law course every other semester, rotating between Marquette University Law School and UW Law School. Senatori said students who sign on for the course often get more than they bargained for.

“A lot of people will ask, so what do you do, teach leash laws for a semester?” said Senatori.

The course touches on an array of legal fields including torts, constitutional law, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Interest in the course is equally varied as some students take the course to provide a pro bono outlet once they graduate, while others take it because their spouse is a veterinarian.

Senatori’s law practice is equally diverse, ranging from public employment issues to appellate work. She admits her favorite cases to litigate are insurance coverage litigation, on behalf of policy holders.

At the end of the day, Senatori looks forward to heading home to her husband and four furry family members (two dogs and two cats).

“There are more animals than humans in the Senatori household,” she said.