About Shelly's Law Coalition
Justice for every Shelly, because their lives mattered.
Shelly's Law Coalition is a growing advocacy effort dedicated to strengthening Illinois' response to felony animal torture through targeted legislative reform.
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The coalition is named after a group of kittens who were tortured and killed in the Thomas Martel case—a case that exposed serious gaps in Illinois law.
According to court records, the offender gave each kitten the same name: Shelly.
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While we cannot change what happened to them, we can work to ensure their story leads to lasting legislative reform by strengthening Illinois law and improving accountability for felony animal torture.
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Founded by animal welfare organizations committed to protecting animals and advancing legislative change, Shelly's Law Coalition brings together advocates, professionals, organizations, and community members working to strengthen Illinois' animal cruelty laws.
Our mission
Strengthening accountability for animal torture in Illinois.
Shelly's Law Coalition is working to advance two targeted legislative reforms that address significant gaps in Illinois law:
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Ensuring prison sentences imposed for felony animal torture are served as intended
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Strengthening recognition of multiple animal victims
Through education, advocacy, and coalition-building, Shelly's Law Coalition is working to strengthen Illinois law and advance a justice system that reflects the seriousness of felony animal torture.
Shelly's story
The Thomas Martel case and the questions that it raised
In 2023, Thomas Martel was charged after prosecutors alleged he tortured and killed multiple kittens in his care. According to court records, he gave each kitten the same name—Shelly.
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The case remained unresolved for nearly three years, with numerous continuances and delays throughout the court process. When the case was ultimately resolved, Martel pleaded guilty to animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals. Despite evidence involving multiple kitten victims, the plea agreement resulted in a conviction focused on the torture of a single animal.
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The court imposed a 4½-year prison sentence. However, because Illinois law allowed credit for more than 1,000 days spent on qualifying pretrial home electronic monitoring ("house arrest"), Martel entered and was released from prison on the same day, serving no additional time in prison after sentencing.
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For many advocates, the outcome highlighted serious concerns about accountability in felony animal torture cases—including how lengthy delays affect outcomes, how cases involving multiple animal victims are addressed, and whether sentences imposed for these crimes are ultimately carried out as intended.
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While the Martel case raised concerns about many aspects of the criminal justice process, Shelly's Law Coalition is focused on advancing targeted legislative reforms that can create lasting change across Illinois.
Shelly's Law Coalition
Shelly's Law Coalition was founded by:​
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SAYv Animal Organization
Garrido Stray Foundation​
Together, these organizations are working to build a broader coalition of voices committed to advancing these legislative reforms.
Join the movement
Shelly's Law Coalition is currently growing and creating opportunities for organizations and individuals to participate.
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Additional information about coalition participation will be available soon.
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In the meantime, you can support Shelly's Law by signing the petition, sharing our mission, and following updates as this effort develops.