One of the greatest pioneers for the freedom of all animals. Was an honor to watch him skillfully litigate for an elephant to be reunited with her person & to meet him at an Elephant Rights Conference. He has lit the fire in so many of us! May you continue to look over these animals here and where you are now. I hope you have seen sweet Tommy and many others. May you pull strings over there to free these animals.

I met Steve years ago when he presented in Chicago. He was an inspiration to animal rights activists like myself. I am very pleased that his legacy is being carried on.

I was so saddened to hear about Steven's passing. I miss his kind smiling face his dogged work and his belief . The documentary Unlocking The Cage introduced me to him and his work and made a deep impression.  The NonHuman Rights Organisation’s newsletter gave me space to write about our campaign on behalf of Kaavan, a male Asian elephant captive and alone in an inadequate zoo with a keeper that abused him and kept him chained on short chains for most of his 35 years.  A High Court Judge in Islamabad, Pakistan actually ordered Kaavan and  two Himalaya bears be relocated to specialist wildlife sanctuaries.  Kaavan has lived in Cambodia for the last 5 years chain free, calm, and enjoying 32 acres of forest and grassland with natural and man made pools and a much more natural appropriate diet, also the company of others elephants - the difference is like night and day and “our boy” looks wonderful.  The Judge quoted the work of the NonHuman Rights Group in his summing up, and I greatly hope that the US legal system will change the legal status of animals so that they have legal protection and NonHuman Rights.  If Pakistan can release zoo animals on grounds that they have the right to be treated much better than a zoo had done or could do, Argentina release individual animals like Cecilia the Chimpanzee under Habeus Corpus, and elephants to sanctuaries, and Costa Rica can close all state zoos because they acknowledge they cannot fulfil the needs of wild animals Steve would say the US can stand up and treat animals as far more than just “things” to be used by Humans in whatever way they see fit.

I met Steven in Woodstock, Vermont at the Bookstock event in 2017.  He spoke about his quest to help animals gain dignity, respect and be considered to have "Non-Human Rights" in courts of law.  He was the most knowledgeable, compassionate, empathic and loving leader for animals that I've ever met.  I'm deeply saddened and hope his team will carry on and help animals gain the rights and respect they so richly deserve.

I'm so sorry for the loss of Steven. I'll always think of him whenever I think of  Unlocking the Cage which is one of my most important documentaries, and when I think of Kaavan the male Asian elephant that was, after a long battle, relocated to a sanctuary from a zoo.  The NHRP gave us a chance to highlight Kaavan’s plight, and when a Judge ordered his relocation he also mentioned the work of NHRP, and the growing realisation worldwide that nonhuman animals should have rights when it comes to their welfare.  He appeared to be a lovely man, a good human being with tenacity and a for runner in legal rights for nonhuman animals.  Rest in Power Mr Wise.

Always with a smile I was in court with  him only once he spoke for hours on behalf of animal rights will his work continue to free animal slave Happy rather UN Happy please advise sadly missed a great man never to be forgotten his work a man ahead of his time in  a time of EVIL.

Every time I see a nonhuman animal whose rights are being disrespected, I think of Steve’s work and the impact he has had, and will continue to have, on human consciousness and the creation of laws to protect nonhuman beings. I cherish our friendship, and the friendship with Gail, over the past fifteen or so years where I was privileged to receive the gift of his presence. Steve gave so much of himself and this was evident , not only in his passion for his life’s work, but his love and compassion for his friends, family, and colleagues. Rest in power, Steve. Your legacy will be alive in the hearts of many, humans and nonhumans alike. 

My thoughts are with Gail, and their children. I can only imagine your loss and sadness in this moment. Steve touched so many of us with his commitment, deep empathy, intelligence and humour. I have such fond memories of the times we spent together, with broad and animated discussions. It was our honour to support your work and we remain committed to supporting the legacy and future for the non-human beings that Steve and Gail, and the whole team at the Non-human Rights Project care so deeply about. 

To Steven's family: let me add my voice to the many who were inspired and moved by Steve and mourn his loss with you. He is in my mind now and will, I suspect, always be. What a tremendous imagination Steve had into how to gain rights for nonhuman animals, and what persistence! I met Steve just prior to Rattling the Cage's publication, and he enlarged my view of the possibilities for societal reconsideration of nonhumans. He was also kind and generous to me as an eager-beaver graduate student. Twenty years later he was equally kind and generous with his time as I interviewed him for a podcast about the progress he and the NRP had made. His work has influenced me and so many other people; his legacy is already considerable and will continue to be seen in the law and in society's treatment of nonhuman animals. 

I first met Steve at the University of Denver and was surprised he knew who I was, since I am a small player in the animal welfare world. Over the years we shared communications on animal related issues and I was always appreciative that he took time from his very busy schedule to respond.  Steve was a pioneer and a staunch fighter for those who had no voice and desperately needed one. He never gave up, accepting each defeat as a challenge and learning experience. Stone by stone he has paved the way for the next generation of "Steve's" to free the afflicted and bring justice to our fellow creatures though the heavens may fall.

Ultimately, everything we do to alleviate suffering of animals must end in a society-wide acknowledgement of the personhood of animals, and their legal right to live free of exploitation.  For Stephen, that is where it started.  We must not lose sight of the true goal of our movement- a goal he so eloquently advanced and was so brave to espouse. 

This sad news makes my heart hurt and so heavy. My deepest sympathy to Steven's family, friends, and his NHRP team. This earth has lost not only an angel but a pioneer in revolutionizing the awareness, battle and desperately needed changes for animal rights and welfare. Heaven has received a very special angel indeed. Steven Wise will be extensively missed by countless earthly beings (human and nonhuman), his memory, legacy and mission will remain strong through his Nonhuman Rights Project organization. On my birthday in 2017, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and talk with Steven at a film festival. Steven will always be an Avalon For Animals hero. I have no doubt now as a heavenly angel with very special powers, he will continue to perform miracles here on earth for the voiceless, the "other" animals of this planet.   

A forever treasured moment and memory meeting Steven — with Steven M. Wise and Audrey Moore

I live in Canada but followed Steve Wise’s efforts (and those of NHRP) regularly. The legal recognition of animals’ awareness of and experience of suffering is critical. I have long been in awe of Steve’s relentless determination over decades and my heart broke when I learned that his journey ended so prematurely. This online memorial that you have created so that people around the world can come together and share their grief is so thoughtful and is a wonderful tribute to the impact and far-reaching love he inspired. Thank you. 

It was a privilege to work with Steve and a delight to spend time with him. His tireless and steadfast commitment to wellbeing, moral status, and legal rights of other animals was infectious. His vision and commitment to the idea that the justice system can, in fact, support justice for all was inspiring.

You are such an icon in the animal welfare and the legal fraternity. Even though I have never met you physically,Reading through literature on some of the work you’ve done especially in respect defending the rights of non human animals, soothings my heart that even though you are no more physically with us in this troubled world, your spirit in the the literature will forever illuminate our(animals )paths to freedom.

A Hero in Life for those who were voiceless;  your tribute will continue to speak for those in need of compassion,  respect and love.

You are now in the arms of our Heavenly Father and can now see all the beautiful animals that you fought so hard to save!!!