For example, animal welfare advocates might argue for the humane treatment of farm animals or pets, but animal rights activists believe that it’s wrong for humans to breed, keep, or eat animals at all.
Some of the major areas of concern for animal rights activists include wildlife protection, domestication of animals, lab animals, and animals used in food, clothing, and other industries. Take time to understand the dimensions of each area of concern by doing an online search for related articles, videos, and websites.
Some authoritative introductions to animal rights include Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation, Paul Waldau’s Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs to Know, Clifford Sherry’s Animal Rights: A Reference Handbook, Julian Franklin’s Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy, and Paola Cavalieri and Catherine Woodllard’s The Animal Question. [2] X Research source
If you’re looking for a print publication, try magazines and journals put out by related organizations, such as Animal Times (PETA), The UFAW Journal, The Animals’ Voice, or Friends of Animals. Many animal rights and welfare groups, like PETA, ASPCA, the International Society for Animal Rights, Animal Welfare Approved, and many more, also issue weekly or monthly email updates. If you’d rather read online, subscribe to related organizations’ e-newsletters by signing up on their websites with your email address.
If there are no lectures or seminars near you, try searching the internet for videos and documentaries related to animal rights instead. Be sure that you check the credentials of the authors and producers to make sure they are animal rights experts, researchers, and/or scholars. Consider enrolling in a course or MOOC to get a substantial foundation. Attending conferences can be pricey and time-consuming, but there’s no better way to get access to a huge variety of animal rights experts and activists in so short a period of time. Besides hearing panels and talks by vetted presenters, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet and have conversations with a bunch of like-minded, active people who could be potential collaborators in the future. [3] X Research source
There are many variations of plant-based diets. The most basic distinction is between vegetarians and vegans. Vegetarians generally don’t eat meat or products that come from the body of an animal. Vegans avoid all animal-derived products, including eggs and dairy. Many products, like gelatin or artificial food colorings, contain animal byproducts that you wouldn’t think. Take time to educate yourself about which surprising foods and ingredients you should be avoiding with the help of the Vegetarian Resource Group: http://www. vrg. org/ingredients/.
PETA publishes a list of companies that employ animal testing available here: http://www. mediapeta. com/peta/PDF/companiesdotest. pdf. Avoid these brands when you’re shopping and instead opt for ones that explicitly advertise that they’re vegan or cruelty-free. Be especially wary when it comes to your clothing and fashion. Many materials, like leather, silk, down, and wool, are animal-derived and their production processes involve high levels of animal cruelty. Instead, look for alternatives like cotton, hemp, faux fur, pleather, and other synthetic materials. [6] X Research source
PETA also publishes a helpful list of animal-friendly companies that are worth buying from and investing in. Check it out here: http://www. mediapeta. com/peta/PDF/companiesdonttest. pdf.
For example, sign on to petitions, write letters to decision-makers, and send editorials to newspapers. If there is a hearing about a particular issue, such as the development of wetlands, sign up to give testimony.
Most organizations make it easy to donate by having secure, online tools for making one-time or monthly contributions. If you choose a registered nonprofit, your donations are tax-deductible.
Check locally to see if there are organizations that are active in your area. If you’d like to get involved with a major player in the cause, here is a helpful online list of the biggest animal rights groups internationally with links to each: https://speakingofresearch. com/extremism-undone/animal-rights-activists-organizations/.
Some informal ways to get involved include signing a petition, sharing information on social media, or attending a demonstration. Some more formal ways of participating include attending organizing meetings related to the campaign, volunteering your time to a related event or effort, or taking on a leadership role.
For instance, if you are an artist, do a show or exhibition that engages the public in the cause. If you’re a businessperson, set up a seminar to inform people in the industry about why investing in cruelty-free companies is good business.
