The Animal Rights Movement

By Amanda McFadden

and Sarah Fasano

Early History of Movement

Traces back to late 18th century, out of organized efforts to abolish animal cruelty in England.

1824: First Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was formed in England

Modern Animal Rights

Welfarists: accept most current uses of animals; seek to minimize their suffering.

Pragmatists: more radical; aim to reduce animal use through protest

Fundamentalists: Most extreme; believe people should never use animals for their own interest, regardless of benefits

Factory Farming

Many tactics used in factory farming are considered cruel and unnecessary

Cramped, dirty pens Painful methods of slaughter Offspring are separated from

mothers at very young age

Animal Testing

Animals are experimented on against their will in order to benefit humans

Animals are often kept in small cages in laboratories

Where is the line drawn? Curing diseases? Dissections for classes? Testing cosmetics?

Entertainment and Sports

Animals are used as entertainment for humans

Examples include rodeos, circuses, horse races, seal clubbing, and so on

Many of these animals face abuse and neglect

Fashion

Thousands of animals are slaughtered daily for humans’ fashion

Examples include wool, leather, animal furs, crocodile skin, and so on

Many of these animals are raised solely for this purpose

Environmental

Factory farming is one of the leading causes of pollution

It causes more CO2 pollution on planet earth than all of the buses, trains, vans, and airplanes in the world combined cause.