Animal Rights

shelter cat pet

21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat

21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat If you are considering getting a new pet, here are some great reasons to adopt a cat over buying one from a breeder, or worse yet, buying a dog instead. Not only do cats make great pets, but adopting from a shelter means saving lives and joining a community that will thank you.  Here are 21 reasons you should adopt a cat! 1. Saves A cat’s life Shelter cats and street cats are at immediate risk, and taking one of them in saves their life! You can stop a cat from remaining in the shelter for months and prevent them or other cats from being euthanized due to overcrowding. Animal shelter euthanasia rates doubled from 6% in 2021 to 15% in 2022. By adopting a shelter cat, you also free a spot for another cat to be placed in the shelter so that they, too, can find a home. 2. Helps with overpopulation Cats get killed in shelters, and adopting helps support these shelters. Having adoption support from the community allows rescue groups to invest more in TNR programs (community cat programs) and saving lives.  The biggest reason not to purchase a kitten from a breeder is that so many cats are already out there! Over 500,000 cats are euthanized in shelters every single year (source). An unspayed female cat can birth over 15 offspring in just one year—and those kittens will begin to reproduce at just four months of age. Until we get this under control, it’s just not ethical to continue breeding cats.  3. They have a story Each cat in a shelter has their own unique story. Whether they were born outside or were abandoned by their previous owners—each one of them deserves a chance at a happy indoor life. Adopting is the best way to make sure cats get that second chance. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with unconditional love and companionship. 4. Wide variety of cats to choose Are you looking for a kitten or a purebred cat? That’s no reason to shop with a breeder! While we don’t think cat breed matters one bit, plenty of purebred cats are in the shelters waiting for homes. If you follow rescue groups in your area, you may be shocked to learn how many purebred cats even face the risk of euthanasia. 5. You’ll get to teach them human ways Some rescue cats have lived outside their whole life. You’ll get to teach them everything they know about indoor life. Learning about each other is a fun and rewarding experience that will strengthen your bond.  6. Good financial sense If you adopt from a breeder or pet store, you’ll likely have to pay more. You’ll also get less for your money in most cases. Shelters often put more into animals than they get back through adoption fees. They provide medical treatment, including vaccinations and a spay or neuter surgery.  Many shelter cats are also microchipped, and the shelter will transfer your contact information to the chip upon adoption. Because there are so many cats in the shelter, they often have events like Clear The Shelters, Shelter Cat Month, or ASPCA’s National Adopt A Cat Month, where you can adopt for cheap or even free. While this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it does benefit you financially if you’re looking to adopt. 7. Fewer health problems than purebreds Shelter cats can have fewer health problems than purebred cats from breeders because they are not bred for specific traits. Purebred cats typically cost more, and their genes are often altered to create certain physical characteristics desired by breeders. This can lead to more health problems in purebred cats, such as heart defects or respiratory issues. In contrast, shelter cats are usually rescued from more natural backgrounds, meaning they are less likely to have these types of genetic-based health issues. Additionally, many shelters take proactive measures to ensure the health of their cats by providing screenings and treatments before adoption. This means that the majority of shelter cats will be healthier than a purebred cat from a breeder. 8. Adult Cats Have Known personalities Kittens are amazing and adorable, and we love them to death! But they’re also incredibly unpredictable. Will they like to cuddle or prefer to spend most of their time alone? Will they be super energetic well into old age or be more laid-back as adults? When you adopt an adult cat, you can better predict their personality, and they’re less likely to have drastic changes as they age than kittens, who are still growing into themselves. 9. Good for mental health Studies have shown that people who adopt cats have improved mental health (source). Many people say that caring for their cats encourages them to get up in the mornings and start their day. Cats also thrive on routine, which also helps people with mental illness—so you may develop a schedule for your kitty only to find that it also helps you! Plus, petting your cat is a great way to reduce anxiety! 10. Good for your physical health Cats can improve your physical health, too. For example, just 10 minutes of playing with your cat can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Petting and brushing cats also reduces stress levels and helps you stay calm. Plus, owning a cat might even reduce the risk of stroke! It’s also been reported that having a can also reduce the risk of childhood asthma and makes children less likely to develop cat allergies. (source) 11. Breeders Are unethical There are reputable breeders out there—but they’re few and far between. The majority are either kitten mills or backyard breeders, in it for the money and not the cats’ well-being. Backyard breeders can also have good intentions. Maybe they think their cat is adorable and want to breed kittens that look just like her, they’re trying to show their kids the miracle of life, or they truly think they’re doing

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Fur trade fox

Animal Rights In The USA And Internationally

Animal Rights 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 humanly 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. (source) 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. (source) Sanctioning Cruelty This category ranks how well the legislation in a country protects against the misuse of animals. 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. (source) 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. (source) Belarus slaughters 37.7 animals per person annually, mostly comprised of factory-farmed animals. The average Belarus diet is also composed of 52% animal-based protein. (source) United States of America Widespread factory farming and insufficient policies put the United States the 3rd worst country for animal rights. The average American eats a diet consisting of 62.3% animal protein (source). 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 (source). 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 (source). 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.

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chickens in cage

The History of Animal Rights

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 they 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. History of the Animal Rights Movement In 1906 Upton Sinclair published The Jungle, which highlighted the appalling work conditions in slaughterhouses. Although the novel was famous in the early 20th century, animal rights as an ideology did not become established until the 1960s and 1970s. 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 with the public after the release of Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. Varying campaigns, such as the campaign to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals, originated during this time. Animal Welfare Act The animal welfare act was signed into law in 1966, and it governs the treatment of animals that are sold as pets, shown in exhibitions, and used for research (source). The animal welfare act states that these animals must be provided with adequate housing, food, water, sanitation, and veterinary care when in a licensed facility. USDA inspectors have the right to conduct unannounced inspections of licensed facilities to ensure that animals are being treated humanely. However, the Animal Welfare Act has its fair share of limitations (source). This act does not extend to farm animals used for fur or meat, reptiles, fish, birds, horses not used for research, rats, or mice. That’s a large number of animal species that currently have no federal protection. The Animal Welfare Act was a good starting point in 1966, but it must be expanded to include all animals. What are some examples of successful animal rights?  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 issue surrounding farm animal rights is the lack of legislation. Farm animals are the most unprotected animal group within the United States. Although weak legislation exists that provides low-level protection, other laws must be passed to end animal cruelty in factory farms. For example, poultry are 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 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: Volunteer Volunteering your time is a simple but highly effective way to support your local 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 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 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.

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Tiger in cage

Problems And Controversies Of Animal Organizations

Controversies and shortcomings of animal support groups We need to talk about the elephant in the room: how some animal rescue organizations do not help as much as they could. 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. Humane Society shortcomings  A Humane Society is a nonprofit group 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 the Humane Societies do not have the space, funding, or workforce to take in every homeless animal. However, the process to determine 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 animals – Zoos, SeaWorld, tourism, and animal breeders Zoos that carry accreditation 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 a quickly if they worked for free. Rescue groups and nonprofit organizations Nobody wants to go into 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.

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Turtle in the sea

Why We Should Protect All Animals

Protecting animals and their habitats 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. We are in the midst of the 6th great extinction event, and everyone must help do their part to protect animals and help with wildlife conservation. What animals need help in your community and globally? 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 all exhaustive, because it only lists the animals 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 in the plant. 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 within 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. 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, however, outside of the anticruelty parameters, animals have no other rights. You can find out more about the history of animal rights here. What happens to the ecosystem if an animal goes extinct? Ecosystems are incredibly fragile. Each ecosystem has keystone species that must be protected. Once a keystone species is removed, it has overwhelmingly negative effects on the environment. 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. Every organism, no matter how small, 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 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: Do not support businesses that contribute to the destruction of the environment, such as the businesses that are clearcutting the Amazon Rainforest. Plant native plants around your property to attract native pollinators. Limit the use of herbicides and pesticides Do not purchase animal products, such as ivory, or exotic animals Support a local wildlife refuge Why it’s important to protect animal habitat 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 animal habitats by planting native plant species in your backyard. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your gardens as well. Pesticides will kill native pollinators and other native insect species, not just the intended pest insect. Native insects are needed to maintain local populations of reptiles and birds. 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. Over harvesting is also detrimental to animal species because it depletes their populations faster than they replenish. You could get involved in environmental conservation and preservation by living sustainably. Your spending dollar has the biggest impact on business practices. Do not support businesses that are wiping out animal populations through habitat destruction or over harvesting. For example, opt for farm-raised fish rather than fish caught in the oceans. You could also donate to organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF uses its donations to petition for legislation that allows humans and animal species to coexist. Farming and animal agriculture are at the top of the list for worst impact on natural habitats. Conclusion Do not get discouraged when you hear the great number of animal species going extinct daily. There is still time to protect animals and save biodiversity on this planet and mitigate the effects of climate change and habitat destruction. However, these changes cannot be completed overnight. Enlist the help of your family and friends to make small changes in your day-to-day lives to co-exist sustainably with local animal populations.

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Animal rights buffalo

Animal Welfare Organizations Fighting For Animal Rights

You can be an advocate for animals 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 Rescue Organizations 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. Nonprofit Organizations 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. Veterinarian Offices 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 some times farm animals. What organizations push for animal rights through policy and activism? 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 since has achieved several animal rights reforms. For example, PETA has encouraged fashion designers to not 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 or most popular 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 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) The American Humane Society (AHS) The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) The ASPCA was founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh (source). The ASPCA was the first humane society to be founded in the United States, and it’s 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 (source). 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 (source). 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 were interested in joining the fight.

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Farm animal baby lamb

Farm Animal Rights

Farm animal abuses, policies, and solutions Farm animals have been suffering for decades on factory farms. Although the world is infatuated with chicken nuggets and hamburgers, it is unethical to raise animals in these conditions. Factory farms exploit animals by raising them in unsanitary conditions, and policy reform for farm animal rights is sorely needed. Overview of factory farming Millions of farm animals are raised in horrifying factory farm conditions annually. These animals include chickens, pigs, cattle, turkeys, and other aquaculture animals. Chickens are the most raised animal on factory farms. Over 9 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the United States annually. In addition to these 9 billion broiler chickens, 300 million are raised for egg-laying. Broiler chickens are raised in large sheds, typically full of 20,000 chickens each, where the chickens are exposed to dangerous levels of ammonia due to unsanitary living conditions. Laying chickens are not treated much better. Laying hens are crowded in small, windowless wire cages. It is common practice to remove part of a hen’s beak to prevent them from pecking each other to death due to overcrowding (source). The United States processed roughly 120 million pigs annually (source). These pigs are kept in pens without access to sunlight or fresh air. Similarly with chickens, these industrial pigpens become filled with dangerous levels of ammonia which causes health issues within the pigs. Roughly 39 million cattle are slaughtered in the United States annually (source). Meat cows are raised out in a pasture until roughly 6 months – 1-year-old, where they are sent to commercial feedlots. Commercial feedlots will deprive the cattle of grass and force them to reach butcher weight on grain alone. Turkeys are raised in similar pens as chickens, and over 240 million turkeys are processed annually (source). Turkeys suffer from the same health concerns and poor living conditions as chickens. Current farm animal rights policies and protections On a federal level, farm animal protections are lacking. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act provides protections for all animals in USDA inspected slaughterhouses. This Act does not encompass poultry or rabbits, and they are in dire need of policy reform. The Twenty-Eight Hour Law is governed by the USDA and requires animals to be unloaded from trucks, and given access to food, water, and rest once every 28 hours. The animals must be provided with rest for a minimum of 5 hours during this rest period. New farm animal rights policies The Farm System Reform Act has been reintroduced in 2021 by Senator Cory Booker and Representative Ro Khanna (source). Unfortunately, this act has been introduced in both 2019 and 2020 with limited success. The Farm System Reform Act intends to stop reliance on factory farms by phasing out commercial feeding operations and strengthening protections for family farms. The Farm System Reform Act would also require meat to be labeled with its country of origin for beef, pork, and dairy products. What is Restorative Farming? Industrial farming has killed biodiversity within the Midwest. Farming practices where fence rows are pushed out to maximize crop space have caused a significant decrease in wild animal populations. Restorative farming intends to reverse some of the effects of industrial farming through easy-to-follow farming principles. Farmers can follow restorative farming principles by not tilling soil. Rather, cover crops may be planted which will naturally restore necessary nutrients to the soil. This also decreases top soil erosion and soil run off. Farmers should also plant a diverse crop rotation to give the soil a chance to “rest” in between crop types and follow rotational grazing. Rotational grazing for farm animals moves them between pastures to allow time for the pasture to re-grow. This is greatly beneficial for farm animals as it prevents manure build-up and reduces the need for antibiotics. How can I help farm animals? One of the best ways that you can help farm animal rights is to report any witnessed abuse. If the abuse is occurring at your place of employment, this may be a difficult decision for you. However, several anonymous hotlines exist where you can report the abuse to: PETA’s National Hotline – 757-622-7382 Mercy for Animals – Dial Option 4 to Report Farm Animal Abuse – 866-632-6446 Animal Outlook – 800-65-FARM If you feel comfortable directly reporting the abuse to law enforcement, you should compile as much proof of the abuse as possible. You will have to fill out a police report, and cooperate with the police over the course of their investigation. Other actions you could take include writing your elected official to advocate for policy changes. Elected officials work for the people and your voice matters. Sending a written letter is a great way to showcase why your current state needs stronger farm animal rights. If you have the means and opportunity, you may also organize a protest or rally. Staging a peaceful protest by a local farm animal abuser is a great way to get the media’s attention. Check into local laws for details on which permits, if any, you will need to conduct a lawful protest. Conclusion Although farm animals are mistreated daily by factory farms, there are ways you could help. Encourage your friends and family to be proactive in the fight for farm animal rights. You could help by limiting the amount of meat you purchase from factory farms and supporting local family farms instead. There are companies like Because, Animals, that are doing a great job supporting the vegan animal welfare community. Check out their natural pet products and get free shipping on your next order!

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How You Can Help Stop Animal Cruelty

How you can help stop animal cruelty Imagine being powerless to speak up against your attacker. Animals are abused every day, and they are unable to speak or stand up for themselves. That is why people like you and me need to help stop animal cruelty. You can become involved in your local animal welfare organizations through either volunteer work or donating. What is considered animal cruelty? Animal cruelty is not just one type of behavior (source). Animal cruelty includes people who neglect their pets and those who kill or maim animals. Animals have basic needs that need to be met. If you are not meeting those as a pet owner, that is considered animal cruelty. Animals need to be fed, watered, properly socialized, and receive proper veterinary care. Ways you can get involved to stop animal cruelty There are easy ways that you can help stop animal cruelty in your local area: Adopt or foster a pet 6.3 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters in the United States on an annual basis. Of these, approximately 920,000 become euthanized due to lack of space or funding (source). By adopting a pet, you can lessen the burden on these animal shelters. Of course, you should only adopt if you have the space and time to care for a pet. If you are not ready to make a long-term commitment, you can always choose to be a foster fur parent instead. Fostering an animal comes with no strings attached and frees up additional space at the animal shelter. The animal shelter will typically pay for the animal’s veterinary bills for shots or annual checkups. Keeping animals socialized in foster homes is a great way to make sure they will find a loving forever home. Donate to an animal welfare organization Local humane societies are always hurting for funding. Nonprofit organizations must survive on donations from the public or by being awarded grants. You can assist another animal in finding a safe and loving home by donating to your local humane society or fostering an animal. Your donation could make the difference between an animal finding a forever home or being euthanized. Be a responsible pet owner Having your pet neutered or spayed is the most responsible choice you could make as a pet owner. Not only are you reducing the number of puppies or kittens looking for new homes, but it is also medically beneficial. Spaying significantly reduces the chances of ovarian and breast cancer in a dogs and neutering significantly reduced the chances of your pet developing prostate cancer (source). Reduce Your carbon footprint Plastic takes centuries to degrade, and it leeches toxins into the environment as it breaks down. Plastic also harms animals in the wild if they ingest or get wrapped up in it. Reduce your carbon footprint by becoming less reliant on plastic. If you see something – say something If you know someone currently abusing an animal, you should report them to the police. Animal cruelty is not something that is taken lightly by the police. Individuals who harm animals are much more likely to cause harm to other people. You could potentially save someone’s life by issuing a report for animal cruelty. Top animal welfare organizations Thankfully, many animal welfare organizations are committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals. Each organization will have a different focus and mission goal. Some organizations may focus on marine animals or farm animals, while others shift their focus to cats and dogs. Nevertheless, the top animal welfare organizations include: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Best Friends Animal Society Animal Welfare Institute The Marine Mammal Center The Humane Society of the United States Top companies abusing animals Individuals are not the only ones guilty of animal cruelty. Some companies have a long history of abusing animals for money and publicity. The top companies abusing animals include: SeaWorld Marine animals can be abused as easily as land animals, and SeaWorld has made a lot of money from using dolphins, orcas, and other marine life (source). Between their forced breeding programs and small living enclosures, SeaWorld has committed its fair share of animal cruelty. Tyson Foods, Inc One of the most infamous for the mistreatment of animals is Tyson Foods. Tyson Foods has recently violated federal laws when chickens were left to die from exposure, burned to death, and drowned in boiling water. This is a small drop in the bucket for the animal cruelty that Tyson Foods has been accused of internationally. Petco Department stores like Walmart have banned the sale of live fish because they are not adequately cared for at retail locations. Live fish are often sold in small plastic cups, which are too small and cramped for the fish to thrive. Not to mention that customers have found several fish dead on their shelves.

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