Why the Concern
Why the concern with animal rights and welfare? Here are some quotes from famous thinkers: Vegetarian Quotes
Links to Animal Rights and Welfare Organizations
Altweb: Alternatives to Animal Testing
Altweb is a collaboration between scientific, business, and
animal welfare interests. It provides a wealth of information from
scientific and government sources on regulation of animal use in
scientific research and a directory of resources for alternative
methods.
American Humane Association
Founded 1877. Works to prevent cruelty to both children and
animals. Highlights links between violence toward humans and abuse of other animals. Regulates treatment of animals in television and movies.
Supports many shelter programs, trains shelter professionals. Performs
animal rescue operations.
Animal Protection Institute
"Cruelty Free" and Other Labels: What's in a
Name? An article on meanings of labels labels on animal food products and a Humane Society Guide to Egg Labels
reveal some labels as very misleading; for example, they may tell nothing about the company's supply chain for ingredients in a product or use general terms that carry no specific meaning. The Animal Protection Institute supports the Leaping Bunny logo indicating products and ingredients not tested on animals, but warns of other bunny icons that do not carry the same assurance.
American Anti-Vivisection Society
The AAVS works to end experimenting on animals. Site contains
information about vivisection, alternative research methods, student
rights to choose alternative methods in lab work, humane education, and
where to write about specific issues.
American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Links to pages on animals
available for adoption, Poison Control Center with toll free number,
news alerts, ways to lobby for animals, animal cruelty and rescue, a special
area for children, etc.
The children's area, Animaland, is well worth exploring. It has brightly colored cartoon drawings and links to a pet care guide, an animal encyclopedia, a book section, career section, issues, games, and a very articulate macaw that answers questions about animals. Children from 1 to 101 taking a tour of Animaland will find it a visual delight and memorable education. Navigation on the site could be a lot easier; you need to know to press the Backspace key to get back to where you were. You also need to have a browser that allows Active X controls to get the full effects, but you can get all the important stuff without Active X.
Animal Legal Defense Fund
The ALDF works to provide greater U.S. legal rights to
animals, stronger law enforcement, and better treatment of millions of
animals. The home page links to news stories, ways to take action, programs, etc.
Animals Asia Foundation
Website says "Animals Asia is a Hong Kong-based charity, dedicated to ending cruelty and restoring respect for all animals in Asia." Projects include ending bear farming, dog and cat eating, a dog therapy program, and addressing issues of "live wild animal markets, emergency relief and usage of animals in Traditional Medicine." Includes lots of heartwarming pictures and anecdotes.
Caring Consumer
A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals site that
provides information about companies that do vs. companies that do not
test on animals, charities that test vs. do not test, a list of product
ingredients
that are of animal origin, and alternatives to animal
ingredients and animal testing. Also links to descriptions of what is
involved in some of the tests that are performed on millions of
animals. Publishes recipes and a Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers.
Environment News Service
Not strictly speaking an animal welfare organization, but
many of the articles contain important information about animal
welfare, as well as other facets of environmental concerns.
Ethologists for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior
Studies
Coalition of scientists and non-scientists advocates for more
humane, ethical conditions for animals in studies, both in the field
and in laboratories. Raises awareness of scientific evidence of
emotions and cognition in animals. Features books by Jane Goodall and
Mark Bekoff, co-founders of the group.
Factsheet
on Animal Testing
PETA paper on some of the things involved in animal testing,
legal requirements, alternative methods available, public opinion
polls, and some things consumers can do. Must reading for anyone who
wants to know why they should care about animal testing.
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Based in Yarmouthport, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S., with
offices in twelve other locations around the world. Site provides news
about animal welfare, campaigns, and legislation. Based on conviction
that human and animal fates are intertwined. Promotes scientific
research and education, habitat preservation, partnership with other
organizations.
Humane Society of the United States
According to its website, "The HSUS is the nation's largest and most powerful animal protection organization, working in the United States and abroad to defend the interests of animals." The organization celebrates the bond between humans and animals and provides information on solving conflicts between them humanely. It was a major player in rescuing pets affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
This controversial organization has mounted many effective
campaigns against cruelty to animals, but offends many with its methods
for getting publicity. Whether you love PETA or hate it or have mixed
feelings about it, it is a force to be reckoned with in the animal
welfare movement.
One of the most useful things PETA does for compassionate consumers is publish lists of companies that do and do not test their products on animals, charities that do and do not test, and ingredients that originate from animals. Links to these lists are on PETA's Caring Consumer website. You would be amazed at some of the products that are tested on animals. For example, PETA organized a sustained campaign against General Motors until that company stopped using animals in crash tests of its cars.