Animal rights and the treatment of animals is a long debated topic. Many people have pets and most of them treat their pets as a part of the family, however there are still a number of people who treat animals very badly. Some are used for experiments. Some are used as game and are hunted for sport. Some are skinned and have their pelts used just for fashion. Some are even forced to compete in horrible games and gambling. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons Quarterback, for example was caught with a pit-bull dog fighting ring on his property. He is now serving a 23 month prison sentence after being convicted of dog fighting charges, and has also been suspended from the NFL.
Greenpeace, PETA, and the ASPCA are just a couple of organizations who have a mission to help protect animals from abuse, neglect, being hunted, being tested on, and being killed for resources. Although their purpose is the same, these three organizations have very different methods.
Many people might first think of Greenpeace. “Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication” to accomplish their mission. Greenpeace is not just invested in the treatment of animals and other creatures but in the care of our entire environment. They take it upon themselves to fight for the creatures and things that cannot fight for themselves. John Passacantando, the executive director of Greenpeace USA says: “In the end, protecting the environment is about very clear choices. We can either stand up for what is right- our health, humanity, and heritage on this planet of ours- or we can sit by and watch while decisions are made that threaten to destroy our collective future.” Greenpeace also uses celebrity endorsements to bring attention to their cause. Just recently Hayden Panettiere was seen at their Big Blue March. She was also a spokesperson for their save the whales again campaign. PETA has a similar approach to that of Greenpeace; they believe creative communication is the best way to evoke change in others. “PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals, suffer the most intensely and for the longest periods of time. This includes factory farms, laboratories, the clothing trade, and the entertainment industry. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.” Recently PETA was featured on a show on the Oxygen television network, “the Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency” is a fashion related TV show. Janice Dickenson, a representative from PETA, and the Agency models held a protest to stop animal fur from being used in the fashion industry.
Other groups that take a more aggressive approach include the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA. The ASPCA has is own Humane Law Enforcement Department. The HLE investigates cases of animal cruelty and takes legal actions against those accused of cruelty. Along with the HLE the ASPCA operates an animal hospital and adoption facility. They also increase awareness through their humane education. And raise money for their facilities through fundraising and consumer products. The ASPCA had a very active role in the Michael Vick dog fighting investigation. The ASPCA lead the team of animal behavior experts that evaluated the dogs seized from Vick’s property.
These organizations not only have to fight for animal rights but they also have to fight to encourage the belief that animals have rights in the first place. There are many people who believe that if animals are given rights then rights must be given to plants, insects, fungus, and any other living thing; and that would just be absurd. Many in the scientific community believe that animal research is vital to finding cures for diseases and that it helps them to learn more about animals themselves. Although most scientist believe that animal research is needed they are starting to make sure that the animals are better taken care of. The debate for animals rights is a long one and will continue with these 3 organizations at the for front.
Works Cited
"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals." PETA. 20 Mar. 2008
"Greenpeace USA." 20 Mar. 2008
"The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals." ASPCA. 20 Mar. 2008
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