The fight for animal rights started centuries ago. In certain areas, progress has been made and basic protection of animals and anti-cruelty legislation can be found in most countries. However, organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) feel that animals should have better protection and rights that are similar to those of humans.

The basis of fighting for animal rights is that animals can feel happiness and sadness and that they can feel pain and they can suffer. So, activists base their arguments on the fact that animals, like humans, can suffer and that is why they need rights to protect them from suffering, abuse, and cruelty.

Today, we want to shed some light on issues that affect animals and their rights and that also further demonstrate the need for stronger legislation regarding the rights of animals.

1. Property Status of Animals

Currently, the world believes that animals are our property to make with what we want. If the property status of animals, both wild and domestic, can be changed, it would benefit all parties. We will refer to animals living in our homes as companion animals instead of pets. Those who have companion animals will be called their guardians and not their owners. This simple change in what we call animals can make a huge difference.

2. Animals as Food

Some activists are completely against eating animals of any kind. Whether it is factory farming practices, hunting, or fishing, they believe that this should be stopped. Killing an animal to eat it is an infringement of its right not to suffer. When it comes to fishing and hunting, it also brings up the issue of upsetting the balance of nature, natural ecosystems, and extinction.

3. Human Overpopulation

Overpopulation is not just a problem because it makes our resources run out too fast. It is also a problem for animals because the more people there are, the more buildings are needed for living. This means more forests will be torn down and immeasurable numbers of animals will continue to be displaced from their natural habitat.

4. Animal Experimentation

Animal experimentation or vivisection has been a very big issue for centuries. While some see the value in testing certain things on animals, others argue that the small benefit that comes from these experiments are not worth the loss of and suffering of so many animals.

Animal rights is a tough and daunting topic, but it has value. All living creatures have the right to live a life free from pain, suffering, and unfair treatment. We are all part of the animal kingdom and just because animals can’t necessarily speak our language, does not mean that their lives mean less. What further complicates the issues, is the fact that the rights of one animal may infringe on the rights of another animal and we have not yet found a way to consider everyone. Many debates, fights, and protests will occur before animals are truly considered worthy of protection by law, but the movement for animal rights will never stop.

Human beings are cruel to animals in many ways. They keep them in the cage, mistreat them, they do fur and skin trade, they hunt them for their pleasure, and more. There are many organizations that support animal rights movement. These organizations are trying to stop cruelty against animals. These organizations work towards spreading words to stop being cruel to these animals. There are thousands of animal rights activists who work all over the world to protect these animals. Here are some of the major organizations that work to protect animal rights.

1. Animal Aid

This is a British organization founded in 1977. They work towards stopping cruelty against animals. They have campaigned for promoting a lifestyle where animals won’t be mistreated. They expose the cruelty to animals and seek justice for them.

2. The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT)

CAFT started its journey in 1990. They try to find out farms, retailers, slaughterhouses where animals are treated badly and their furs are traded and expose their activities. They try to draw the attention of authorities in this matter and work hard to stop the fur trade.

3. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

PETA is a very popular animal rights groups. It has more than 2 million members across the world and operates in 10 countries. Every year the organization gets more than $30 million to protect the rights of animals. Many celebrities are part of their various campaigns.

4. Uncaged Campaigns

This is an organization that works to prevent experimentation and testing on animals. This organization was founded in 1993 and is based in England. They mainly campaigned against xenotransplantation; that is transplants involving animals and human. They protest against animal testing by various companies like Procter & Gamble.

5. Animal Justice Project

This animal rights group is based in the UK. They also have activities in the US and Europe. The organization was founded in 2015. They use the social media to spread their message across the globe. They also use press releases so that their voice can be heard. They talk about human justice and raise awareness through education, advocacy, media, and protest.

6. Cruelty Free International (CFI)

This organization works towards banning all kinds of animal research. They protest against the use of cats, dogs, and other animals in research. This organization was found more than 100 years ago and they are still working to prevent animal cruelty.

7. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

It is the largest animal rights group of US. It supports many small local humane societies as well. They spend millions of dollars every year in fighting for animal rights and stopping cruelty against animals.

There is a huge demand for wildlife due to the lifestyle of people. They need leather goods, seafood and other things that come from animals. The profit margin of illegal wildlife trade is very high. The pet and farm animals are also mistreated in many places. Many countries still don’t have strong judicial systems to protect the rights of animals. These organizations spread their wings in different parts of the world and help to protect the animals from human cruelty.

Growing up as a kid, we have known all about the different performances in a circus. Children tend to be excited when seeing their favourite animals performs some trick. However, like any other kind of entertainment business, we don’t know what is happening behind the scenes. There are instances where some people are surprised why there are some organizations that are fighting for the animal circus bans. If we would know the truth behind the curtains, I bet we would all cry for a ban. Here are the reasons why animal circuses should be banned for good.

1. Animals are not prisoners

We can all hear the loud cheering from the crowd if we see animals perform but what we can’t see is how they are suffering because of the kind of life they have to live. Animals are happy to go out and give you a great show because it is the only chance they have to be free from the prison bars where they are placed.

2. Animals don’t deserve the punishment

In an animal circus, what we can see are the performances that have been practiced numerous times. How do you think these animals learned all those? The training that they have to endure is not like the ones we give to our pets at home whereas we just give them rewards. The animals in a circus have to go through painful training where being hit seemed to be a normal process.

3. Starvation and Dehydration

The circus owners would say that they are feeding the animals, but we all know that the food they give them is not sufficient for their needs. The animals don’t get enough food and water which are the essential things they need to have a healthy life.

With these three reasons alone, the usage of animals on a circus should be banned forever. No living creature deserves the kind of life these circus animals have to endure.

Animal rights violation doesn’t only mean abusing or torturing animals. Neglecting animals or not giving them the basic things needed for wellbeing is also part of animal rights violation. Dogs are the most common pets and they suffer the mist. Whether you neglect an animal or intentionally harm it, you will have to face legal action under the animal cruelty laws. Here are the main reasons of violations of these laws.

Neglect

If you don’t provide your pet with the basic necessities then you are neglecting the animal. It is a crime not to give water, food, and protection to the animal. If you keep your dog chained for several hours under harsh weather condition then you will have to face legal charges.

Cruelty

If you intentionally torture an animal then you are violating the animal rights law. You might have to pay thousands of dollars of fine or get a prison sentence.

Abandonment

Many pet owners abandon their pets as they get tired of them. This is illegal and it may lead to one year of imprisonment or $1000 fine.

Confining dog in a car that is unventilated

You are not allowed to confine your dog in an unventilated car. There should be adequate ventilation so that the dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable. If you don’t provide proper ventilation you will have to face legal action.

Leaving a dog behind in an accident scene

If you hit a dog on the road and leave the dog on the scene then it’s considered to be a crime in many states. You should take the dog for treatment or take care of it unless you will be violating the law.

Cosmetic cruelty

Many pet owners cut off parts of dogs’ tails or ears for fashion. In many countries it’s illegal, but it’s legal in the US. But it’s not allowed in Massachusetts. You may be fined up to $250 for the act.

Animal testing

You are not allowed to hurt of kill animals for testing make-up or soap. A European Union (EU) law was passed. According to the law, it is illegal to sell any animal-tested cosmetics in Europe.

Poaching and hunting

Animal parts are illegally traded in many countries. There is a huge demand for elephant’s ivory tusks and tiger’s skin. Animal fur and skin are being sold to make clothes, shoes, and other items. This is considered illegal in many countries and you will have to face legal action in you’re caught. Animal hunting is also prohibited in many countries. Many animals are becoming endangered for such activities.

The various laws against animal cruelty protect the animals on earth. There are many organizations that are working towards protecting animals. Animals are living things and a big part of our ecosystem. We should stop any cruelty against them.