User:Juror8

We shouldn't harm animals when we don't have to. AKA RationalWiki's resident PETA person

Welcome!

If you are interested in actually engaging on the issue of animal rights, I recommend checking out three things:
 * 1) The Earthlings and/or Dominion documentaries.
 * 2) Peter Singer's Animal Liberation Now
 * 3) The Animal Rights FAQ

My Essays

I attempt to discuss controversial topics within AR theory with my essays on this site:
 * Essay:Against Animal Testing
 * Essay:The Case Against Zoos
 * Essay:How To Win a Debate with a Vegan
 * Essay:Why Pet Ownership Should Be Abolished
 * Essay:Speciesism Explained
 * Essay:In Defence of PETA (forthcoming)
 * Essay:The Argument from Marginal Cases (forthcoming)
 * Essay:Animal Equality (forthcoming)

Relevant Articles

This is a list of specific articles on this website of relevance. Note that these are NOT ideal in their current form. Look for me on the talk pages where I bring up their various issues (and am largely ignored).
 * Animal rights
 * Speciesism
 * Veganism
 * Animal testing
 * PETA
 * Animal Liberation Front
 * Animal Rights Militia

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare
"I support animal rights, but I think using animals for [PURPOSE X] is OK"

I wish I got paid every time I heard that. However well intentioned, this represents an unfortunately far too common misunderstanding. The fundamental principle of the AR movement is that nonhuman animals deserve to live according to their own natures, free from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This goes further than just saying that we should treat animals well while we exploit them, or before we kill and eat them. It says animals have the RIGHT to be free from human cruelty and exploitation, just as humans possess this right. The withholding of this right from the nonhuman animals based on their species membership is referred to as "speciesism". I think most people who claim to be supporters of animal rights actually are supporters of animal welfare.

Animal Welfare = animals should not be abused while we use them

Animal Rights = animals should not be used at all

Naturally, animal welfare means vastly different things to different people, so my view is that the only way to ensure that animals are not abused by humans is to make sure humans never have the chance to. I think Gary L. Francione: makes an interesting observation:

Sounds extreme - doesn't it? Consult Animal Rights FAQ which does a pretty thorough job of addressing every possible complaint you may have.

Instead of Going Vegan
Something that often comes up with people who consumes animal products is an exasperated "Yeah you make some decent points, maybe you're right, animals don't deserve this, but I'm just not going to change my diet I'm sorry". and "Is there anything else I can do instead so I can enjoy my McDonald's chicken burger, ice-cream and pizzas?"

Yeah sure. If you really won't change your diet, then instead do all three of these:


 * 1. Don't make any babies. Human overpopulation is the biggest cause of human's negative effects on animals. A life-long meat-eater who has no children causes FAR less harm to animals than a vegan who reproduces. This is the single best thing you can do for nonhuman animal life - even more so than being a lifelong vegan.
 * 2. Donate regularly to help farm animals - If you are going to eat animals, at least give some aid to charity groups that are trying to make the lives (and deaths) of livestock better. The best way to donate to Animal Charity Evaluator's Recommended Charity Fund. Click here for a good guide for how much to donate based on your income.
 * 3. Be a non-dietary vegan. Being vegan is a lifestyle, not just a diet. If you really won't change your diet, you can still abstain from animal exploitation in all the other ways, like:
 * Avoiding animal textiles - no leather, wool, fur, silk, down etc.
 * Not buying from companies or donating to charities that either conduct or fund animal testing.
 * Not supporting zoos, circuses, horse racing, dog racing, rodeos, bullfighting, donkey basketball etc.
 * Not buying animals from pet shops or breeders (adopt from shelters instead)
 * Checking your cosmetics and household products contain neither animal ingredients nor palm oil
 * Use nonlethal control when dealing with rodents or bugs

If you did all three of these things, you'd be well placed to argue your "moral imperative" to consume a vegan diet is revoked. You would certainly have enough ammunition to fire back at a vegan who accused you of being immoral.