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Feb 17, 2013

Animal Rights VS Animal Welfare

A lot of people don't know that there is a big difference between Animal Rights and Animal Welfare. There is. A BIG difference. Many animal lovers take bits and pieces from both to formulate their own personal belief systems on animals. I just wanted to take a few moments to define and clarify different missions and goals and to highlight the main organizations associated with each cause.

Animal Rights

Goals/Purpose/Mission: To end all human "exploitation" of animals - this includes, but is not limited to, raising and slaughtering of livestock for human or animal consumption, eating meat, hunting, using animals for any medical or veterinary research, zoos (regardless of how well managed), circuses, rodeos, horse shows, dog shows, animals performing in TV commercials, shows or movies (regardless of how well treated any of the above are), guide-dogs for the blind, police dogs, search & rescue dogs, and the practice of owning pets.

Groups:

PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals)
HSUS (Humane Society Of The United States)


Animal Welfare

Goals/Purpose/Mission: To prevent suffering and cruelty to animals. And to provide care and good homes for pets in need. This often includes, but is not limited to, the funding and running of animal shelters (to provide a sanctuary for abandoned, abused, homeless, or unwanted pets, and to place them in good homes where possible, provide painless euthanasia for those that cannot be adopted, and to educate the public about the need for spaying/neutering their pets to prevent more surplus animals ending up in shelters), enforcement of anti-cruelty statutes (where their authority permits), initiating, lobbying for, and monitoring enforcement of legislation to ensure more humane standards of care for livestock, laboratory animals, performing animals, and pets.

Groups:

ASPCA (American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals)
NAIA (The National Animal Interest Alliance)
AHA (American Humane Association)

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