The FARM BuzzDecember 10 is both International Animal Rights Day and Human Rights Day. Animal Rights Day is an annual event that honors animals as sentient beings who deserve the same protections as people. It was started in 1998 by an advocate group called Uncaged.
Uncaged purposely selected the date for Animal Rights Day to coincide with Human Rights Day and draw attention to the connection between humans and non-humans. Animal advocates plan events on this day to demand respect for nonhuman animals. Animals feel pain, fear, joy, and sorrow just like humans do, and we show them the same compassion we desire for ourselves. Kindness is what International Animal Rights Day is all about. The goal is to defend animals and end speciesism. Here is a glimpse of some fundamental concepts supported by Animal Ethics.
Speciesism
Speciesism is the discrimination that nonhuman animals suffer from humans. It ranks the same as other forms of prejudice, such as racism, sexism, or homophobia. Those who discriminate believe themselves to be better than, stronger than, or more intelligent than whomever they are discriminating against.
In their mind, it is acceptable to eat meat from nonhuman animals because they are not strong enough, important enough, or intelligent enough to be treated with compassion. If these are our criteria for who does or does not deserve to die for meat for our table, then quite a lot of humans fall into this category. We would not punish a person who is not highly intelligent or just weaker than us, so how do we justify the torture and murder of nonhuman animals with the same qualities?
Sentience
Sentience is the ability to perceive and feel things. The nonhuman animals used for food have all of these abilities. They know they want to live, and they feel pain and emotions. Most people who consume meat push this knowledge aside to disassociate from the truth they know and ease any guilt they might feel otherwise. People know that if they acknowledge a creature’s fears and desires, they will have to realize just how much pain and suffering they cause by consuming meat from nonhuman animals. Ultimately, all creatures should be treated with moral consideration regardless of skin color, social status, intelligence, or species.
Some countries have incorporated animal sentience into their animal welfare legislation. Spain, the UK, New Zealand, Peru, and Sweden all have laws protecting animals and recognizing their sentience. They have set a necessary standard regarding animal treatment and prevailing attitudes toward nonhuman animals.
Animal Rights vs Animal Welfare
The terms animal rights and animal welfare are two terms often used interchangeably, though they have distinct ethical positions. “Animal welfare advocates for the health and safety of animals under human care, animal rights dictates that animals should not be under human care to begin with.” Though the two are not the same, they often work in tandem. They both share the common goal of animal protection.
How to Celebrate International Animal Rights Day
There are many ways to promote animal rights. Choose the most comfortable methods for you that fall into your skill set. Try one of these examples or create your ideas to further everyday compassion for nonhumans.
Teach Kids About Animal Rights
Discuss animal sentience with your children and anyone willing to listen. Help them understand that animals are thinking and feeling creatures like us.
Volunteer with an Animal Rights Group
All hands on deck! Give the gift of your time and effort to support animal rights groups. Many jobs need to be done, and many groups thrive thanks to volunteers.
Watch a Show About Animal Rights and Conservation
Some suggestions include The Plague Dogs (1982), Food, Inc. (2008), and I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA.
-The Plague Dogs is an animated film unsuitable for children. It addresses the life of dogs trapped in animal testing.
–Food, Inc. is an educational film that reveals the cruel side of the food industry.
–I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA discusses the foundation of PETA
Hold a Candlelight Vigil
Peacefully spread awareness and culminate conversations about animal protection. Hold a vigil for all animals who have lost their lives to slaughter and those who will soon lose their lives to factory farming.
Ditch Meat
Ideally, eat no meat. You may feel that no action you take will be beneficial to ending animal cruelty, but every single step or decision makes a difference. Every meal has a ripple effect on both animal protection and our environment.
Write an Opinion Piece for Your Local Newspaper
Share your knowledge and opinions with the local community. Write an informative letter to the editor and ask them to publish the article on International Animal Rights Day, December 10, for the most significant impact.
Vote With Your Wallet
Shop only with companies that support animal welfare. Do not support companies that do not protect animals and their rights.
Share Animal Rights Day on Social Media
Use #InternationalAnimalRightsDay to spread awareness across social media platforms. Share your knowledge and experience with everyone on your friends list.
Celebrate International Animal Rights Day
Celebrate International Animal Rights Day and Human Rights Day on December 10. This day is an opportunity to fight for animals and support their rights and importance. Use this day to open discussions about the cruelty nonhuman animals suffer daily. Show by example how all creatures deserve freedom and compassion.
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