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. Several articles document link 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.
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.
An AAVS article on labeling shows the labels "cruelty free" and "not tested on animals" have no legal definitions and can be very deceptive in that the labels may not apply to other companies that do their testing or supply ingredients in their products. The article states that a number of respected organizations have praised the Leaping Bunny Compassionate Shopping Guide and Leaping Bunny Logo as being meaningful and trustworthy. You can download your own guide from this site and shop for such things as cosmetics, personal care products, animal grooming products, and household products from a list of certified partners.
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 is well worth exploring. It has brightly colored cartoon drawings and links to a pet care guide, a career section, issues, games, and a very articulate macaw that answers questions about animals. Children from 1 to 101 taking a tour of this area will find it a visual delight and memorable education.
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.
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.
Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry "is a group of concerned Unitarian Universalists and UU friends who desire to grow and express their faith as compassion towards all beings", based on the UU principles of "The inherent worth and dignity of every person" [in this case, every being] and "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part".
The Animal Ministry has a program called Reverence for Life that supports congregations in "becoming advocates for all life". The program produces a manual that looks at institutionalized cruelty to animals and suggests ways for all ages to explore what to do about it. The program also offers online courses.