Animal Rights - Our Duties to Animals*

Animal Rights - Our Duties to Animals

·         I do not believe in testing on animals. Especially not for cosmetics. According to our lecture, 50 million animals are killed in testing annually. I believe an alternative would be the terminally ill, inmates (particularly on death row or serving life sentences), other criminals, or volunteers. At least their final deed can be a good deed for human kind or in the case of the ill, they can leave behind a legacy.

·         I do not believe it is ethical to kill animals for their fur. If we are going to kill them as a food source and use their parts (i.e. cow for leather), then at least they did not die just for their pelt or for someone to make a coat, purse, shoes, etc., out of them.

·         I do not believe in breeding animals (including domesticated ones) and them killing them inhumanely for consumption. We should all follow Temple Grandin’s example and try to put ourselves in their place. If we have to slaughter animals for consumption, it should be our goal to do it as humanely as possible.

·         Having a surplus of cattle, for dairy and meat, produces methane, which is the most prevalent pollutant in our environment.

·         I personally do not hunt, nor ever have hunted, but acknowledge that the food chain is necessary to prevent overpopulation. With that being said, I do not think it is ethical to hunt animals for sport.

·         We should develop more humane methods where animals are concerned if/when it is necessary to use them for pharmaceutical testing, in addition to a food source.

·         Pet overpopulation is also a growing concern in all countries. In the United States alone, we have over 8 million animals in shelters annually; 3-4 million of which are euthanized due to breeding and irresponsible people not neutering their pets.

·         I became a vegetarian at the age of five because I could not stand the thought of eating animals. My three siblings followed in my footsteps. One is also vegetarian, one is pescatarain, and the other is vegan.

·         I have rescued, adopted, or bought six dogs and one cat in my adult life. I have consistently owned at least one pet for the past 18 years. I also co-owned four other dogs.

·         I have dedicated the past 12 years of my life to veterinary medicine and animal advocacy and serve on the board of a local, 501c3, non-profit rescue organization called Save A-Paw.

·         I agree with Pythagoras as having respect for animals. I agree with Aristotle that animals are our friends and have feelings too. I agree about not causing unnecessary suffering and do not agree testing is ethical, but acknowledge it could be somewhat justified. Singer argues most of my points. Cohen argues against most of my points.