The History Of Animal Rights

What gives humans the right to abuse, neglect, and ultimately kill helpless animals? Corporations abuse animals simply to make an extra buck when allowed to do so. After all, why should companies treat animals more humanely when it means cutting into their bottom line?

Animal rights have come a long way since the early 20th century, but they are still far from perfect. Corporations will only abide by the rules and regulations set by the government, and the current laws are not adequate to protect animals.

In this article, we’ll review the history of the animal rights movement and the milestones that led to modern policies.

History Of The Animal Rights Movement

Animal rights, policies, laws, and public perception are all driven by the animal rights movement and supporters of animal welfare. The animal rights movement is the concerted effort and organization of advocates fighting for animal justice. It began in the early 19th century with notable figures like George T. Angell and Upton Sinclair, but it has grown substantially since then.

Today, animal rights activists fight for change through public demonstrations, petitions, boycotts, lobbying governments to pass laws that protect animals from abuse and exploitation, and so much more.

The Origin of the Animal Rights Movement

The animal rights movement can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but the modern animal rights movement began to take shape in the 19th century.

In 1906 Upton Sinclair published The Jungle, which highlighted the appalling work conditions in slaughterhouses and meatpacking facilities in the United States. The book led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which helped to improve the safety and quality of meat products and also helped to raise public awareness of animal welfare issues.

Although the novel was famous in the early 20th century, animal rights as an ideology did not become established until the 1960s and 1970s.

Peter Singer is an Australian philosopher and professor of bioethics at Princeton University. He is widely considered to be the founder of the modern animal rights movement. In 1975, he published the book “Animal Liberation,” in which he argues that non-human animals have moral rights and should be treated with the same respect as human beings. The book is considered a classic in the animal rights movement and has had a significant influence on the development of the movement. Singer’s views have been both praised and criticized, but his work is widely acknowledged as having played a key role in the development of the animal rights movement.

Tom Regan, an American philosopher and professor emeritus at North Carolina State University, is another key figure in the animal rights movement. He is the author of “The Case for Animal Rights” (1983), in which he argues that animals have inherent value and that it is morally wrong to use animals for human purposes, such as food, clothing, experimentation, and entertainment. He is also the founder of the Culture & Animals Foundation and has been an influential voice in the movement.

Animal Rights in the 1920’s

The 1920s was a significant decade for the animal rights movement, marked by the expansion of animal welfare organizations, the passage of animal welfare laws, and increased public awareness of animal welfare issues.

In the 1920’s The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York City began to focus more on animal welfare issues and expanded its efforts to protect animals from abuse and neglect. We also saw the rise of other animal welfare organizations and societies, such as the American Humane Association and the National Humane Society, which also aimed to promote the welfare of animals.

Another notable development during the 1920s was the passage of animal welfare laws in several states, including California and New York. These laws aimed to protect animals from abuse and neglect and included provisions for the humane treatment of animals.

Animal Rights in the 1960’s

The 1960s marked a turning point for the animal rights movement, with significant developments and changes taking place during this decade.

The 1960s also saw the formation of various animal rights groups and organizations, such as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) in the United States. These groups focused on issues such as animal experimentation, hunting, and the use of animals in entertainment.

During the 1960s, the animal rights movement began to gain more mainstream attention and support, with celebrities and notable figures, such as Brigitte Bardot, Paul McCartney, and Jane Goodall, speaking out in support of animal rights and against cruelty to animals.

In addition, the 1960s saw the passage of animal welfare laws in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, which aimed to protect animals from abuse and neglect.

Overall, the 1960s was a significant decade for the animal rights movement, marked by the formation of animal rights groups, the publication of influential books, and the mainstream attention and support for animal rights.

Animal Rights in the 1970’s

In the 1970’s various organizations, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), gained traction after several publications aimed at shifting public perception of animal cruelty, including domestic animals.

We also saw the formation of various animal rights groups and organizations, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in the United States and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) in the United Kingdom. These groups focused on issues such as animal experimentation, hunting, and the use of animals in entertainment.

Varying animal protection campaigns, such as the campaign to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals, originated during this time.

One of the key events of the 1970s was the publication of the book “Animal, Men and Morals” written by Johan Harrid and Roslind and Stanley Godlovitch in 1971, which marked the first time that the moral status of animals was considered from a philosophical perspective. The book was influential for animal rights advocates and helped to raise awareness of the ethical issues surrounding animal exploitation.

Another key publication in the animal rights movement was Peter Singer’s book “Animal Liberation” in 1975. The book is considered a classic in the animal rights movement and has had a significant influence on the development of the movement. It argues that non-human animals have moral rights and should be treated with the same respect as human beings. Singer’s views have been both praised and criticized, but his work is widely acknowledged as having played a key role in the development of the animal rights movement.

During the 1970s, the animal rights movement began to gain more mainstream attention and support, with celebrities and notable figures, such as Paul McCartney, Brigitte Bardot, and Roger Moore, speaking out in support of animal rights and against cruelty to animals.

History of Farm Animal Rights

The Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, which requires that livestock be treated humanely during slaughter, was a pivotal advancement in animal welfare.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the animal rights movement and farm animal advocacy began to gain momentum with the formation of various animal rights groups and organizations, such as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) in the United States. These groups focused on issues such as animal experimentation, hunting, and the use of animals in entertainment, but also on the welfare of farm animals.

In the United States, the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 was amended several times over the years to improve the welfare of farm animals and to regulate their treatment in transportation and slaughter.

In the 1990s, the European Union passed several laws aimed at improving the welfare of farm animals, including the Council Directive 98/58/EC on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, which established minimum standards for the welfare of farm animals.

In the 21st century, there has been an increased focus on the welfare of farm animals, with several animal welfare groups advocating for the rights of farm animals and for more humane treatment of all sentient creatures. This has led to the development of animal welfare standards for farm animals, such as the “Five Freedoms” and the “Three Rs” (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), which have been adopted by several countries and organizations worldwide.

Most recently, there has been a growing trend towards plant-based alternatives and animal welfare labeling, which have been a response to the concern of consumers about animal welfare and environmental issues related to animal agriculture.

History of Animal Testing Advocacy

The animal rights movement has had a significant impact on animal testing laws, leading to changes in legislation and regulations aimed at reducing the use of live animals in scientific or medical research and improving their welfare.

One of the key milestones in the animal rights movement’s impact on animal testing laws was the publication of the book “Animal, Men and Morals” by philosopher and animal rights advocate John Harris in 1971. This book was influential in raising awareness about the ethical issues surrounding animal testing and the moral obligation we had to end the cruel treatment.

In the United States, the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 was amended in 1985 to include provisions for the protection of animals used in research. The amendment required that institutions using animals in research be licensed and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The act also required that researchers take steps to minimize pain and distress in animals and consider alternatives to the use of animals in research.

In the European Union, Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes was adopted in 1986. The directive established minimum standards for the welfare of animals used in research and required that researchers consider alternatives to the use of animals. The directive was later replaced by Directive 2010/63/EU, which strengthened the protection of animals used in research and introduced new provisions for the protection of primates and other animals.

In the United Kingdom, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was passed, which regulates the use of animals in scientific research. The act was amended in 2012 to strengthen the protection of animals used in research and to introduce new provisions for the protection of primates and other animals.

The Animal Welfare Act of 1966

Examples Of Successful Animal Rights Activists

Farm animals have successfully gained rights in the passage of two USDA-enforced laws, the 28-Hour Law and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. The 28-Hour Law states that any animals being transported for longer than 28 hours need to be allotted 5 hours off transport for food, water, and rest. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act states that animals must be given a quick and effective death and be treated humanely at the slaughterhouse.

The main animal protection issue surrounding animal agriculture is the lack of legislation. Farm animals are the most unprotected animal group in the United States. Although weak legislation exists that provides low-level protection to food animals, other laws must be passed to end animal cruelty in factory farms. For example, poultry is exempt from the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the 28-Hour Law.

One proposed law, the Farm System Reform Act, is currently sitting in Congress without overwhelming support. The Farm System Reform Act will end factory farming by 2040 and provide factory farms with funding to transition to humane methods of farming animals. Petition your local representatives to support the passage of this act!

How You Can Join The Animal Protection Movement

With the advent of lab-grown meat and imitation meat, joining the animal rights movement is easier than ever. Many people support the movement internally but find it hard to pull the trigger because they like to eat meat and other animal products. Not only are plant-based meats preventing needless animal cruelty, but they are also better for the environment. Plant-based meats emit 30 – 90% fewer greenhouse gases and use 72 – 99% less water than conventional meat (source).

Other ways you could join the animal rights movement include:

Go Vegan for the Animals!

Switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet is a great way to reduce animal suffering while reducing your support for organizations and policies that produce inhumane treatment. It is estimated that the average American human consumption of meat is responsible for killing over 300 farm animals every year due to diet. This is an unbelievable amount of animal suffering and habitat destruction due to our heavy meat and dairy diets.

Volunteer

Volunteering your time is a simple but highly effective way to support your local animal protection organizations. Your nearby humane society or other no-kill animal shelters could always use additional fosters, adopters, and trappers during the spring and summer months when kittens and puppies are flooding in.

Donating To Charity

Most animal rights organizations are nonprofits that are funded solely by contributions from supporters. Your donations directly impact the success of these organizations. Without your contributions, these organizations cannot continue to save the lives of helpless animals.

Contacting Your State Representatives

Reach out to your state and federal congressmen to let them know how strongly you feel regarding animal rights. Research the pending animal rights legislature in your state and remind your congressmen that they work for you. If their core beliefs do not align with yours, you should be supporting a different candidate in the next election.

Conclusion

Supporting animal rights and social progress should be an intrinsic value that all people hold. Animals should not suffer because fast-food restaurants want to keep hamburgers on their dollar menu. The animal rights movement has a long way to go in the United States. Support the movement by boycotting factory-farmed meat and petitioning your representatives for better legislation.