I am so sorry to hear about the passing of this incredible advocate for animals. He was a dear friend, witty, smart and one of the most intelligent people I met. Thank you Steve. May your legacy live on 

I am sorry to hear that Steven Wise passed away. Though I did not know him, he must have been a wonderful person in that he stood up for the rights of non human animals. Non human animals need people like him.

Several years ago when I was in law school, the Animal Law Society at Vermont Law School organized an event and invited Steve to come and speak. He gladly agreed. I had the fortune to pick Steve up from the Burlington, Vermont airport and drive him to the Vermont Law School campus about 75 minutes away. As someone interested in pursuing a career in animal law, Steve was obviously someone of importance and someone to look up to and admire. I felt certain that he had better things to do than drive through the rural countryside with a law student and I felt somewhat guilty for taking his time on such a long drive.  But Steve made sure it never felt that way. He asked questions, he listened to answers, and he shared anecdotes and made the drive quite pleasant. As we approached the bed and breakfast where I was to drop Steve off, I was halfway into a story and his phone rang. He apologized profusely for having to answer the phone. He said a few words and quickly got off and apologized again, reminding me that he really wanted to hear whatever story I had to offer.  He told me it was the Argentinian Parliament that had called, asking if he would come speak with them. Then he reminded me he wanted to hear the rest of whatever I was saying, urged me to continue, and sat and listened to the rest. It was a small but meaningful gesture that someone being requested to speak by the government of another country was kind and humble enough to make sure a law student felt valued in their words. 

A hero who I have respected and revered for almost all of my adult life.  As I live in Australia, one of my life's biggest regrets was that I could not study animal law under his tutelage.  His work was an inspiration to many of us worldwide and he will be deeply missed.  His fight will continue.  My deepest sympathies to his family who are feeling Steven's loss on a personal level.  Just know that he made and will continue to make a massive difference.

My heart hurts also for this loss of a man with a beautiful mind and soul.  I’m so sorry I never had a chance to meet him but in a way I did through his courageous work to save animals.

He is not gone, just up with God watching over now.

I love all of you…

Loretta Sue Patterson 

The world has lost another animal hero. I am shocked to hear this sad news. May Steve be met by all those animals he so valiantly fought for and who lost their fight for their right to life. 

Imagine….one intelligent, kind-hearted human being with a “crazy” idea, building a legacy of lasting impact that will continue to grow and be a voice for the voiceless. Imagine Happy, wild and free of her solitary confinement at the Bronx zoo…imagine hundreds of chimps avoiding the fate of our beloved Tommy….imagine a mobilized group of emotionally intelligent people supporting that one “crazy” idea that animals have rights….. One person CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE and Steve has really taught us that. My prayer for his family is deep peace and a process of releasing pain and holding onto the love. My prayer for NhRP is that you (we) collectively keep moving forward, and keep Steve’s giant heart at the center of our efforts. A mighty oak has fallen in the woods and now sunshine is hitting the forest floor for the first time in a long time. May NhRP’s new leaders stretch into that new light and grow into the leaders you were meant to be. May we all honor a legacy that is truly one of a kind, and let that guide our path forward. I’m with you. My heart goes out to your team and to Steve’s family. I imagine Happy can feel this loss “in her bones” and is mourning today, too. Let’s get her out. Let’s do it for Steve. 

Devastating news. He was an absolute hero for the animals. Sending heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. 

No words; I am so sad; he was a wonderful and compassionate human being and a loss too soon. Very sorry but the NHRP will carry on and we will be there to support you....

I first met Steve Wise in 2009 when the Animal Law Research Group invited him to lecture at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. His presentation was immediately convincing and mind-blowing, and his legal arguments were always solid and persuasive. His years of dedicated work were no coincidence. He was an influence in my choosing a career in animal rights.

From that moment on, we began a beautiful friendship. He was a significant figure for many animal rights lawyers and influenced and inspired the work of both my wife Macarena and me. Beyond his professional achievements, he was known for his great sense of humor, beautiful singing voice, exceptional oratory skills, charismatic personality, and being a wonderful friend. He was truly a remarkable person.

I am very saddened by his departure. But Steve Wise will always live in our hearts and memories, and his legacy will endure for many years. 

TO THE FAMILY of Steven, I send my deepest condolences. Steve was the only lawyer that I could truly understand and he helped me to understand exactly what the  NhRP does for animals. He made me realize that non human animals have a LEGAL right to be recognized for their autonomy and for that I will always be grateful for him. "We will keep the fight up for animals, Steven."

I am so saddened to learn of Steven's passing. He certainly made his mark on the world in his efforts to make our species genuinely civilized toward our fellow sentient species. I also very much appreciate how personable he was in conversing with animal advocates regardless of their station in life. Heartfelt appreciation for all he did to make the world a better place. May his hopes and efforts for it come to fruition in the not-too-distant future. 

Steven was a friend who inspired me to change my academic path of studies and focus on nonhuman animal rights. He worked relentlessly to defend and give all creatures a voice both inside and beyond the courtroom.  He will be greatly missed!

I never had the pleasure to meet Mr. Wise, but I've long been a supporter of NHRP and I've always been grateful for this extraordinary and amazing organization that is dedicated to establishing nonhuman rights for all animals. My deepest condolences to Mr. Wise's family, friends, and co-workers. His vision, wisdom, and compassion will be sorely missed by all.

Back in 2015, I had recently moved from Chile to Barcelona to pursue a Master's in Animal Law. Steve's class on animal personhood blew my mind. His passion made me believe that as an attorney, I could dedicate my career to animal rights. He also made me curious about animal personhood, so I ended up writing an entire PhD dissertation on this topic. Throughout the years, he encouraged me to continue this path despite the difficulties. I will never forget the fun dinners with Steve, Gail, and my husband Carlos in Barcelona and I will always cherish the conversations with Steve about how amazing animals are and how obvious it is that they are persons, too. 

Steve Wise was the most compassionate, kind, optimistic, and gentle person I have had the pleasure to meet. He spoke at my university right before the pandemic. His work and the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project has had a tremendous impact on my thinking on the rights of non-human animals. Steve will be tremendously missed.

Steve Wise was a true visionary. Nonhuman rights is now up to us. 

Professor Wise you started a fire in me to fight for animal rights as you did with so many others. You were the best. You inspired us, taught us, encouraged us and taught us to never give up when the going gets tough fighting for animals. Your life touched so many of ours for which we will always be grateful and we will work to fight for your mission x

This is unbearably sad news. Steve's books had a profound effect on my activism, and he was a joy to be around - hilarious. It was way too long since we'd seen each other (since the LA Premier of the wonderful documentary about him) but I had been following his work with immense gratitude for all he gave this world. Rest in Power Steve. 

My deepest condolences. Professor Wise has a huge legacy, and he is one of those rare people who brought vast practical experience to his teaching and thinking about animals and justice. 

Rest in power Steve - there was no one like you and there never will be.

Steven's bold and compassionate vision of a transformed legal system has inspired and influenced me both as a scholar of religion and animals, and as an animal advocate. It was at his initiation that I and other Jewish leaders raised our voices for Happy the elephant and other animals who Steven and his team were defending. What his life and legacy show me is that one of the best ways to live a meaningful life and effect change is to commit to a task that will exceed your lifetime and that others will consider impossible.