In addition to supporting the improvement of welfare, animal charities and organisations encourage the public to critically assess the impact of their lifestyles on animals.
Nowadays, the most common interaction between people and non-pet animals is the exploitation of animals in various ways. People eat them, drink their milk, wear their fur or skin, or use cosmetics that have been tested on them. For the animals that fall victim to these multi-billion dollar industries, life means endless pain, restriction of freedom and suffering.
Animal welfare organisations act on behalf of animals who cannot defend themselves and their main goal is to alleviate or end the suffering they endure at the hands of humans. Whether it is the protection of animals hunted for trade or animals born and raised on industrial farms, non-profit organizations care about improving their welfare and help to pass progressive legislation.
WHAT ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP ANIMALS?
The work of such organizations is aimed at protecting animals. This means that they work to fulfill a specific mission, not for profit, as corporations do. All money raised by such organizations usually comes in the form of donations and grants, and it must be directed to the mission, not to benefit shareholders or investors.
Animal welfare organizations can deal with different issues. While some are focused on specific activities, such as shelters caring for abandoned or lost animals, others function more broadly and campaign on a range of domestic and international issues. Below are examples of the issues that such organisations try to address:
- Wildlife trade;
- Farm animal welfare;
- Protection of animal habitats;
- Dissemination of information about plant-based nutrition;
- Protection of marine mammals;
- Exploitation of animals in entertainment (e.g. zoos, dolphinariums, circuses).
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS?
Animal protection organizations form the best and often the only way to protect animals. Motivated by their missions rather than financial gain, they advocate for stronger animal protection at the legislative and political level. They also raise public awareness of the harm that animals suffer at the hands of humans. They also often create safe habitats that allow animals to live as they would in the wild.
Currently, the relationship between humans and animals is based on dominance. Animals are considered property both legally and ideologically. People use them and often subject them to violence for their own purposes.
Laboratories still perform operations on live primates and dogs. On industrial farms, animals are kept in huge sheds without windows, often in pitch darkness, separated from their families and living in such cramped and dirty conditions for the rest of their lives. The animals often have to be pumped full of antibiotics in order to survive.
Much of modern society in North America and Europe actively exploits animals. They are used for entertainment, cosmetics and perfume testing, dairy production or slaughter. Industrial agriculture, research laboratories, clothing and entertainment – all these types of animal husbandry bring billions of dollars in revenue annually. To the detriment of the animals, the financial incentive for their continued exploitation is truly massive.
Despite some local and national laws, the lives, preferences and experiences of animals are considered less important than the financial benefits they bring. And this is at best. At worst, it doesn’t matter at all. Without animal protection initiatives, animals would remain at the absolute mercy of businesses motivated solely by money.
Thanks to animal protection organizations, animals have a chance for a better life.
Such organizations inform and encourage the public to rethink the impact of their lifestyle on animals.
HOW DO ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS HELP ANIMALS?
Animal rights activists use various tactics in their work, including:
- Mass activism;
- Information and public events on the topic of veganism;
- Undercover investigations of places such as laboratories and farms;
- Lawsuits against animal rights violators;
- Development and promotion of laws that protect animal rights.