Animal Rights

Why We Should Protect Animals Although humans view themselves as being on top of the food chain, we do not integrate well into the natural ecosystem. We often disrupt fragile animal habitats without blinking an eye because a new shopping mall must be constructed. However, altering the natural habitat comes with consequences, and our way of life is directly tied to our conservation efforts and protecting animals. We are in the midst of the 6th great extinction event due to global warming, and everyone must help do their part to protect animals and help with wildlife conservation. Which Animals Need Help? Countless wild animals face the threat of extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened animals. To protect these endangered animals, citizens and businesses must comply with the Endangered Species Act. This list is not exhaustive because it only lists the threatened species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is aware of. It is estimated that globally, 24 – 150 species are lost daily (source). This is a huge loss of biodiversity on the planet and truly unfortunate for future generations. You will also find domestic animals that need help if you look closely within your community. Approximately 6.3 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters annually in the United States (source). Of these, 920,000 are euthanized due to a lack of available homes and resources. You could make a large impact on these animals by adopting or becoming a foster parent for a local animal shelter. In addition to wildlife and shelter animals, commercial animal industries like farm animal agriculture or animal testing are some of the most inhumane industries today. Animals are typically jammed in tight cages, unable to turn around or even stretch their limbs out for weeks on end, all for the sake of human consumption or testing. Sadly, many of these animals never even experience a taste of fresh air or sunlight. Do Animals Have Rights?  Within the United States, animals are viewed as property and do not hold rights of their own. Therefore, an owner could legally euthanize a perfectly healthy pet. Owners and businesses must comply with animal anticruelty laws. Animal cruelty laws exist to protect animals from unnecessary suffering and harm. In the United States, the first anti-cruelty law was passed in 1828 in New York state. This law made it a misdemeanor offense to intentionally abuse or neglect any “creature which is usually kept as a domestic animal.” However, outside of the anticruelty parameters, animals have no other rights. You can find out more about the history of animal rights here. Which Animals Are Endangered? An animal is endangered if it has a threat of going extinct. Animals are primarily endangered due to a loss of habitat. Once an animal population reaches a certain threshold, it will also be endangered due to a loss of genetic diversity. Without genetic variation, the animal species will become inbred and have a greater predisposition to health concerns. You can protect endangered species by following these easy steps: Protecting Animal Habitats Habitat destruction is one of the main reasons for animals becoming endangered or extinct. Once an animal is gone, it is gone forever. You cannot bring back an animal from extinction. Furthermore, when animals are faced with habitat destruction, they begin to encroach on human habitat. Predator animals, such as bears or wolves, become more intertwined with society as their habitat dwindles. It is beneficial for us to protect their habitats so they do not pose a threat to people. You could protect local habitat loss by planting various species of native plants in your backyard. You can also avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides in your gardens as pest control. Pesticides will kill native pollinators and other native species, not just the intended pest insect. Native insects are needed to maintain local populations of reptiles and birds. What Happens To The Ecosystem If An Animal Goes Extinct? Ecosystems are incredibly fragile and play a vital role in the well-being of plant and animal species. Each ecosystem has keystone species that must be protected to maintain ecological balance. Once a keystone species is removed, it has overwhelmingly negative environmental effects. For example, a famous experiment by Robert Paine indicated the effects of removing a top predator from the food chain. When Paine removed all starfish from a local coastline, the starfish prey, barnacles and mussels, flourished. However, due to the enormous boom in barnacle and mussel populations, their primary food source was wiped out, which caused a rapid decline in local biodiversity levels across the whole food chain. This study shows that a healthy ecological balance between animals and plants plays a significant role in the natural world. Every organism, even microscopic organisms, fulfills a niche. A niche is a role that an organism plays within an ecosystem. Having an animal go extinct has cascading effects on the remaining microorganisms in the local ecosystem. What Is Wildlife Conservation? Wildlife conservation attempts to protect both animal and plant species and their habitats from being destroyed. The greatest threats to wildlife conservation are habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, and climate change. Overharvesting also has an adverse effect on animal species because it depletes their populations faster than they can replenish. Overharvesting is the unsustainable harvesting of wildlife for commercial purposes. It occurs when a species is harvested in numbers larger than its natural replenishment rate, which causes the population to decline or become locally extinct. This type of overexploitation can have devastating effects on the environment, as it can dramatically reduce biodiversity levels and disrupt existing food webs. Farming and animal agriculture are at the top of the list for the worst impact on natural habitats. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 50% of all land in the United States is used for animal agriculture. This includes land used for grazing animals, feeding operations, and raising crops for livestock feed. In addition to land use, animal agriculture also has a significant impact on water resources. Animal agriculture is responsible for 20-33% of all freshwater consumption in

Types Of Animal Welfare Organizations Animals cannot advocate for themselves, so they need someone to advocate for them. Animal welfare organizations bring a multitude of resources together to collectively fight for the same goal. Animal rights are usually not a top priority for congressmen, so these organizations must bring a lot of campaigning and awareness to the table. What do animal welfare organizations do? Animal welfare organizations want to ensure that animals are treated humanely, no matter if the animal is a domestic animal, farm animal, or wild animal. These organizations will petition for improved animal rights legislation, provide education to the public about animal rights, and rescue animals from abuse. Animal welfare organizations are usually nonprofit organizations dedicated to using all available resources to assist animals. What types of groups help animals? There are a variety of organizations committed to helping animals. Some of these organizations may even be located by you! Some of these organizations include: Humane Societies Contrary to popular belief, humane societies are not part of 1 large organization. Humane societies are independently run, but they may apply to receive funding from larger facilities. Humane societies will typically take in domestic pets from kill shelters before they are put down. These organizations have animal transport networks behind the scenes that move animals to larger cities where they have a better chance of being adopted. Support your local humane society by donating, volunteering your time, or adopting an animal. Animal Rescues Animal rescues sometimes encompass humane societies. However, there are also animal rescue organizations dedicated to saving wild animals. Wild animals are impacted by human activities, such as driving or mowing. For example, when a mom rabbit is struck and killed by a lawnmower, an animal rescue organization can take in the baby rabbits to save them from dying of starvation. Nonprofits Organizations such as The Best Friends Animal Society or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are 501c3 nonprofit animal welfare organizations that bring a wealth of knowledge and support for animal rights. Veterinarians Your local veterinarian may point you in the right direction if you need assistance with finding a new home for an animal. Local vets will have knowledge of which humane societies are great to work with. They can also assist if you find an injured animal. Animal Hospitals As veterinarians, animal hospitals can help injured pets and sometimes farm animals. What organizations Are Animal Activists? One of the most well-known animal rights activist groups is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA is supported by over 9 million members worldwide, and they are growing larger every year. PETA was founded in 1980 and has since achieved several animal rights reforms. For example, PETA has encouraged fashion designers not to use animal fur in their clothing lines. PETA has also gotten automobile crash testers to stop using animals during the tests. What is the biggest animal welfare organization? You probably have many local animal welfare organizations. However, these local organizations will be limited in scope and have access to a limited number of funds. The bigger organizations have greater access to resources. Three of the biggest animal welfare organizations include: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh. The ASPCA was the first humane society to be founded in the United States, and its campaigning caused New York State to pass the first animal cruelty law. Today, the ASPCA is committed to helping the lives of animals nationwide. With millions of followers and access to a significant amount of funding, the ASPCA is making a difference in the lives of shelter animals. The AHS was founded in 1877 by bringing together representatives from 27 humane organizations in 10 different states. The AHS is committed to ending the abuse and neglect of both children and animals. Throughout the years, the AHS has led initiatives, such as the “No Animals Were Harmed” program in Hollywood and the Animal Humane Farm Program. The AHS is also infamous for assisting in animal rescues after natural disasters. The HSUS was founded in 1954, and it is committed to animal advocacy. The HSUS’s primary goal is to stop animal cruelty before it starts with education and legislature. Conclusion Animal rights need to be brought into the 21st century by updating the current legislature. Animal welfare organizations are fighting every day to ensure that animals can no longer be abused or neglected. You can find your local animal welfare organization if you are interested in joining the fight.

Problems Of Animal Organizations We need to talk about the elephant in the room: how some animal rescue organizations do not help as much as they can. In a perfect world, we would not need animal rescue groups to ensure that animals are being treated humanely. In the imperfect world that we live in, we have groups that have stepped up to fight for the rights of animals. However, even these organizations have their fair share of shortcomings. Here are some of the problems of animal organizations. Problems with animal shelters Animal shelters and humane societies are nonprofits dedicated to finding new homes for stray animals and advocating against animal cruelty. Each Humane Society operates independently of one another and obtains funding of its own accord. Unfortunately, Humane Societies cannot keep up with the hundreds to thousands of animals that rotate through kill shelters. These organizations rely on volunteers to care for the shelter animals and donations to keep their doors open. With funding in short supply, Humane Societies often only take in animals that they deem “adoptable.” Unadoptable animals stay at kill shelters where they are euthanized because Humane Societies do not have the space, funding, or workforce to take in every homeless animal. However, the process of determining if an animal is adoptable is also flawed. Animals are under duress at animal shelters and will behave differently than if they were at home. Animal shelters are high-stress environments that cause dogs and cats to lash out aggressively or appear unsociable. The result is perfectly normal dogs and cats being euthanized after they are labeled as unadoptable. Commercial animal Organizations Zoos that carry accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums maintain a high standard of care for animals, educate the public on animal welfare, and keep endangered animals from becoming extinct in the wild. This accreditation is not easy to achieve because it requires that the zoo meets a high standard of animal welfare verified by a multi-day inspection by the Associate of Zoos and Aquariums. There are also copious amounts of fly-by-night zoos that are not accredited, and they house animals in poor living conditions. These zoos do more harm than good when supporting the animal rights movement. However, not all accredited zoos maintain a high standard of living for animals. For example, SeaWorld is accredited, and yet it houses its marine mammals in enclosures that are far too small. These animals develop stress habits and depression in these small, cruel enclosures. Animal breeders contribute to animal overpopulation. There are millions of stray animals in need of homes, so there is no need to breed additional animals. Every animal purchased from an animal breeder is one less that will be adopted from an animal shelter. Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals Studies show that 1 in 6 veterinarians has contemplated suicide (source). Veterinarians are three times more likely to die from suicide than the public. This is due to the crushing student loan debt from veterinary school, burnout from being overworked, and having to euthanize perfectly healthy animals. Veterinarians are for-profit businesses, and they cannot perform treatments on animals for free. Life-saving operations are often too costly for pet owners to afford, so the only available option is euthanizing the animal. Veterinarians desperately want to save every animal they come across, but their business would go under in quickly if they worked for free. Independent Animal Rescues Nobody wants to go to work having to decide which animal lives and which one dies. However, that is the reality for workers at animal rescue groups. Due to a lack of funding and staffing, they must make difficult decisions daily. Animals are left in kill shelters because there is no room or resources at the animal rescue groups. Obtaining funding for animal rescue groups is not easy. These organizations are staffed mainly by volunteers, but the process of applying for funding is lengthy. An extensive request for application (RFP) must be filled out when applying for grants. Dedicating personnel to grant writing is one less staff member available to care for the animals. It is also difficult for smaller organizations to get noticed. Most federal and commercial grants are awarded to larger nonprofits. These smaller animal rescue groups have a more challenging time competing for grants against organizations with a dedicated staff of grant-writing lawyers on retainer. Conclusion Animal support groups try to do their best with the little they have. Unfortunately, not every homeless animal can be saved from animal shelters due to a lack of resources. You can make a difference in an animal’s life by volunteering at your local rescue group or donating supplies. Boycott commercial operations, such as SeaWorld, and refuse to purchase dogs or cats from animal breeders. Boycotting inhumane practices with your money and purchasing decisions is one of the best ways to make a difference in the fight for animal rights.

Animal Rights In The USA And Internationally Animals do not have a nationality and exist without borders. An animal’s quality of life is ultimately determined based on arbitrary lines drawn on a map. Some animals are more fortunate than others to be born within a country with exemplary animal rights policies. A chicken in Australia feels the same level of sentience as a chicken in India, yet both will be treated entirely differently. The Voiceless is an animal rights organization in Australia that developed the Voiceless Animal Cruelty Index (VACI).  The VACI ranks 50 countries according to the following categories: Producing Cruelty This index considers the number of animals slaughtered weighed against how well these animals were treated. Countries that treat their animals more humanely before slaughter will rank higher in this category. This category also considers dairy cows and egg-laying chickens, two animals that are not slaughtered but still live in appalling conditions. Consuming Cruelty Consuming cruelty measures the direct number of animals consumed per capita and the ratio of plant-based protein to farm-based protein that the population eats. This category highlights how high-income countries rely on factory farming to meet the appetite of their people. Sanctioning Cruelty This category ranks how well a country’s legislation protects against animal misuse. The VACI relies on a ranking set by the Animal Protection Index, a scale of 50 countries based on how well their policies protect animals. Which countries have the worst animal rights policies? Based on the VACI, the following countries have the worst animal rights policies: Australia & Belarus Australia and Belarus are tied for being the worst countries for animals. Australia slaughters approximately 28.1 animals per person and maintains poor animal rights policies. 64% of the average diet in Australia also relies upon animal-based protein. Belarus slaughters 37.7 animals per person annually, mostly comprised of factory-farmed animals. The average Belarusian diet is also composed of 52% animal-based protein. United States of America Widespread factory farming and insufficient policies made the United States the 3rd worst country for animal rights. The average American eats a diet consisting of 62.3% animal protein. The United States also slaughters approximately 29.3 animals per person per year. Argentina Like the previous countries, Argentina has widespread factory farming and a population that consumes a lot of animal protein. The average Argentinian eats a 63% animal protein diet, and the country slaughters 17 animals per person per year. What countries have the best animal protection laws? The top 3 countries with the best animal protection laws are: India India has the best animal rights of the 50 countries surveyed. This is due to the small amount of meat consumed by the average Indian, and factory farming is not prevalent in this country. The average Indian consumes a diet with 20% animal protein because 23 – 37% of the population is vegetarian. The culture emphasizes vegetarian diets and butchers less than one animal per person annually. Tanzania Tanzania is tied with India for having the best animal rights worldwide. Tanzania consumes an average diet consisting of 12.4% animal protein, and they butcher approximately 1.9 animals per person per year. While Tanzania does not have factory farms; instead, they have a large population of small farms that raise livestock. Kenya Kenya is currently the 3rd best country worldwide for animal rights. Factory farming is not prevalent in Kenya, but it is a practice that is spreading. Kenya must reject factory farming to remain 3rd on this list. The average Kenyan eats a 24% animal protein diet, and they butcher approximately 0.8 animals per person annually. Overview of US Animal Rights At the federal level, only a small handful of laws exist that issue protections and rights to animals. One of these laws is the US Animal Welfare Act of 1966. The US Animal Welfare Act protects show animals, pet animals, animals used for research, and animals transported commercially. Any facilities that house animals under this criteria must provide adequate housing, food, water, sanitation, and veterinary care. However, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover all animals. Animals excluded from the Animal Welfare Act include farm animals used for fur or food, reptiles and amphibians, horses not used for research, fish, birds, rats, or mice.  There are no federal laws regarding animal testing (source). Animal testing is legal and not regulated federally. However, numerous states are passing bans on selling products that have been tested on animals. By 2021, several states will have bans on the sales of animal-tested cosmetics. These states include, but are not limited to, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, California, Illinois, and Nevada (source). Banning animal-tested cosmetics is a step in the right direction. State policies must also consider testing medicine and other products on animals. Conclusion Animals endure all manners of inhumane treatment. Between being subjected to animal testing or slaughtered for food, animals cannot catch a break. Thankfully, several countries worldwide are pioneers in having groundbreaking animal protection laws. Additional countries must follow their example and eliminate factory farming and the public dependence on animal-based protein. Here are a few ways you can help end animal cruelty.

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. The modern animal rights movement has been influenced by several influential figures, including philosophers Peter Singer and Tom Regan, and Upton Sinclair, the author of “The Jungle.” Prominent intellectuals and philosophers Peter Singer and Tom Regan laid the groundwork for animal rights theory which argued that animals should be granted fundamental moral considerations and protected from exploitation. Their writings inspired activists to form organizations in pursuit of ending animal cruelty. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was established in the United Kingdom in 1824, marking the beginning of organized efforts to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. In the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) was founded in 1868 by George Thorndike Angell. 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