No doubt about it…there is a war underway. A war between animal “rights” and animal “welfare”. This is the topic most near and dear to my heart. There are those who wish to take our ability to share our lives with pets away…to eliminate meat from our diet, to eliminate ALL animal products from our diet as a matter of fact, to ban the use of ANY animals in research, to ban hunting and fishing, and to eliminate any perceived “exploitation” of animals at human “hands”. And to expedite the extinction of large numbers of breeds and species through draconian MANDATORY spay/neuter laws. The largest advocate, and indeed the most powerful (and most subtle…) of these, is the HSUS…the Humane Society of the United States. There will most likely be many blogs regarding this organization and their tactics, their strategies, and financial power, to lobby for animals rights on a national platform. But today…I simply plant the seed. Read the definitions below, and let those definitions sink in and ponder them. And then decide on which philosophy most closely aligns with yours.
Animal rights, also referred to as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings. Advocates approach the issue from different philosophical positions, but agree that animals should be viewed as non-human persons and members of the moral community, and should not be used as food, clothing, research subjects, or entertainment. They argue that human beings should stop seeing other sentient beings as property—not even as property to be treated kindly.
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological state of non-human animals. The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights. Systematic concern for animal welfare can be based on awareness that non-human animals are sentient and that consideration should be given to their well-being, especially when they are used for food, in animal testing, as pets, or in other ways. These concerns can include how animals are killed for food, how they are used for scientific research, how they are kept as pets, and how human activities affect the survival of endangered species. An ancient object of concern in some civilizations, animal welfare began to take a larger place in western public policy in 19th century Britain. Today it is a significant focus of interest or activity in veterinary science, in ethics, and in animal welfare organizations. There are two forms of criticism of the concept of animal welfare, coming from diametrically opposed positions. One view, dating back centuries, asserts that animals are not consciously aware and hence are unable to experience poor welfare. The other view is based on the animal rights position that animals should not be regarded as property and any use of animals by humans is unacceptable. Some authorities thus treat animal welfare and animal rights as two opposing positions. Accordingly, some animal right proponents argue that the perception of better animal welfare facilitates continued and increased exploitation of animals. Others see the increasing concern for animal welfare as incremental steps towards animal rights.
This is a topic that will appear with regularity on this blog, along with other topics of interest, especially as it relates to our companion animals, which as we speak, are under direct attack…how many we may have, under what conditions we are “allowed” to maintain them, and even what medical procedures we may or may not choose on behalf of our pets. Even the terms “pets”, “owners” and “property” have taken on negative connotations when used in reference to animals, ANY animals. I also have a penchant for discussing health and nutrition for our pets as well, so I look forward to exploring those topics as well. This is an “experiment” on my part, but have been accused of having a lot to say…so what better forum for my verbosity than my own website?!
Welcome to the “Lunendogs blogs”…I hope it will be entertaining, informative and educational.