Feature Image by Animal Planet
Many of us were raised in an environment where consuming meat, wearing leather goods, going to zoos, or purchasing pets from stores was considered perfectly acceptable. We wore wool, enjoyed burgers, and cast fishing lines without considering the consequences for animals. However, in recent years, a growing number of individuals have begun to question: “Why shouldn’t animals have rights?”. With International Animal Rights Day on the horizon, now is the ideal time for me to delve into this enquiry, contemplate our choices, and help us to champion a world where every living being is treated with dignity and respect.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RIGHTS DAY
International Animal Rights Day, observed annually on December 10th, honors animals as sentient beings deserving of protection and compassion. Established in 1998 by the animal rights organization Uncaged—now known as the Centre for Animals and Social Justice (CASJ)—the day emphasizes addressing the root causes of systemic animal cruelty through research and advocacy.
This observance intentionally coincides with Human Rights Day, underscoring the intrinsic link between human and animal rights. Through global demonstrations, candlelight vigils, and educational initiatives, it calls for an end to animal exploitation and promotes a more empathetic and ethical treatment of all living beings.
WHAT ARE ANIMAL RIGHTS?
If human animals (aka us) are entitled to rights, why shouldn’t non-human animals also be granted the same? Although humans, dogs, birds, and cows differ biologically and behaviorally, the core principles of autonomy, dignity, and respect are universally applicable.
Of course, animal rights do not entail granting a cow the right to vote; rather, they focus on treating animals as individuals with intrinsic worth—not merely as resources for human benefit. This involves acknowledging their interests, safeguarding them from exploitation, and enabling them to live without suffering inflicted by humans.
HOW ARE ANIMAL RIGHTS VIOLATED?
Animal rights are violated in countless ways, often deeply embedded in our societal norms and industries. These violations reflect a complex web of exploitation and suffering, driven by profit, convenience, and outdated mindsets that prioritize human interests over animal welfare.
Our connection with animals has historically been shaped by a mindset of dominance and subjugation. This imbalance is rooted in the belief that might makes right, perpetuating the idea that it is acceptable for the strong to exploit the weak simply because they can. This outdated worldview overlooks the intrinsic value of all living beings and their right to live free from suffering and harm.
Exploitation for Food
Many animals are bred and raised in inhumane conditions, only to be slaughtered for consumption. Their young are taken prematurely, causing both maternal distress and suffering for the offspring. Dairy cows, for example, are forcibly impregnated to produce milk, a process that repeats until their bodies are exhausted, at which point they are slaughtered.
the Fashion Industry
Millions of animals are trapped, hunted, or bred solely for their fur, leather, or feathers. Practices such as plucking feathers from live birds for down-filled products cause immense suffering. Similarly, the fur trade often involves cruel trapping and skinning practices, causing prolonged agony. Video by The Humane Society International/UK
Entertainment and Profit
Animals suffer in the entertainment industry, including circuses, zoos, and marine parks. These facilities often confine animals to small, unnatural spaces, depriving them of their natural behaviours and social structures. Similarly, breeding animals for sale as “pets” commodifies their lives, while compelling them to race or perform tricks subjects them to physical and psychological harm.
Scientific Testing
Laboratory experiments subject animals to painful and invasive procedures, such as testing chemicals on their skin or eyes. Many suffer severe injuries or death in the process, despite the availability of alternative testing methods.
Hunting and Sport
Hunting animals for sport or trophies glorifies violence and reinforces the notion that animals’ lives have little value beyond human amusement. Even regulated hunts inflict fear, injury, and suffering, often leaving animals wounded and dying slowly.
Captivity in Homes
Keeping exotic animals as pets or confining fish in tanks often results in neglect and psychological stress. Animals in such environments cannot exhibit natural behaviors, leading to physical and mental suffering.
Shifting the Paradigm
Recognizing and addressing these violations requires a fundamental shift in our relationship with animals. A more ethical and compassionate approach demands that we see animals not as commodities or tools for human use, but as sentient beings with their own rights and inherent worth. By challenging these deep-seated beliefs and practices, we move closer to a world where justice and compassion extend to all living creatures.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANIMAL WELFARE AND ANIMAL RIGHTS
Animal welfare and animal rights are two distinct concepts that are often confused, both focusing on the treatment of animals but stemming from fundamentally different philosophies..
Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare promotes the humane treatment of animals while accepting their use for human purposes. This approach emphasises reducing suffering and enhancing the living conditions of animals, whether they are on farms, in laboratories, or in entertainment settings. For instance, welfare initiatives may involve providing larger enclosures, managing pain during medical procedures, or regulating feeding and handling practices.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is a key piece of legislation in England and Wales aimed at protecting animals from cruelty and ensuring their well-being. It outlines the responsibilities of pet owners and others responsible for animals, emphasizing a duty of care to meet the animals’ basic needs. However, animal welfare still operates within a framework that permits exploitation, as it does not challenge the underlying belief that animals exist for human benefit.
For example, animal welfare standards might require factory farms to offer slightly more space for hens while still allowing for their confinement and eventual slaughter. Similarly, it may advocate for less invasive testing methods in laboratories while still permitting the use of animals in experiments. Animal welfare essentially asks: How can we make the exploitation of animals less cruel?
Animal Rights
In contrast, Animal Rights is a philosophical viewpoint that entirely rejects the notion of animals as property or tools for human use. It asserts that animals possess inherent value and moral standing, independent of their utility to humans. This perspective dictates that animals should not be bred for food, subjected to experiments, or used for entertainment, regardless of how “humane” the conditions may be. Animal rights aim to abolish practices such as factory farming, hunting, and animal testing altogether, rather than merely improving them.
A powerful analogy to illustrate the difference between the two is the concept of cages. Animal welfare seeks to make the cage more comfortable—perhaps larger, cleaner, or with better food. In contrast, animal rights challenge the very existence of the cage and strive to eliminate it altogether. Ultimately, the distinction lies in whether we perceive animals as beings with their own rights and purposes or as resources that we must manage responsibly. Advocates for animal rights believe that merely reducing suffering is insufficient; achieving true justice for animals necessitates the complete abolition of all forms of exploitation and subjugation.
By grasping this difference, we can reflect on our own values and consider whether we are genuinely supporting meaningful change for animals or simply upholding the status quo with a more acceptable appearance.
WHY ANIMAL RIGHTS?
Animal rights should not be determined by human notions of intelligence or worth. Our biases should not influence the rights of animals, just as they shouldn’t affect the rights of marginalised individuals. Ultimately, it is simply the right thing to do. Animals are not ours to mistreat or exploit simply because we can; they are sentient beings deserving of respect.
If animals were granted such rights, we wouldn’t consume them, exploit them for milk, or confine them for egg production. Factory farming would cease to exist, slaughterhouses would shut down, and a vegan lifestyle would become the norm. This shift could significantly reduce some of our leading health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, leading to a healthier population and a stronger economy.
With the end of factory farming, our environmental impact would lessen considerably. We would see reductions in deforestation, pollution, and climate change. A widespread vegan diet would enable us to feed more people using less land, alleviating hunger and benefiting nature. Given that 68% of animal populations have vanished in the past 50 years, a significant reduction in land use would aid in restoring these populations too.
Such a transformation in our mindset and lifestyle would yield immense benefits. Nature would flourish, people would thrive, and the world would become a kinder, more compassionate, and safer place for all.
Related – A VEGAN’s PERSPECTIVE: VEGANUARY
animal sentience laws
- Spain’s Law 17/2021 elevates animals to the status of sentient beings, even considering them as family members, thereby strengthening their legal protections.
- The UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act of 2022 requires policymakers to consider animal welfare in decision-making processes, ensuring that the impact on animals is a key factor in legislation.
- New Zealand, Peru, and Sweden have enacted similar laws affirming the intrinsic worth of animals and recognizing their capacity to experience a range of emotions, from pain and suffering to pleasure and joy.
For more information on global animal sentience laws, explore this Animal Protection Index to see how your country ranks in animal welfare standards.
BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS
As I do in all my articles, I strive to provide practical solutions while also raising awareness about the topic I choose to explore. Well, if you’re looking to align your lifestyle with animal rights principles, I’ve compiled a list of brands that are entirely vegan and animal-rights-friendly.
Whether you’re on the lookout for meaningful gifts this holiday season or aiming to adopt more compassionate choices throughout the year, these brands make it convenient to support ethical practices while remaining stylish, sustainable, and cruelty-free.
Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat is an abbreviation for “Material and Nature,” Matt & Nat is a Canadian brand committed to creating fashionable and functional bags, wallets, and footwear that are entirely vegan. Renowned for utilising eco-friendly materials like recycled plastic bottles and cork, Matt & Nat merges sustainability with a strict no-animal-products policy, earning the loyalty of environmentally conscious consumers worldwide.
Axiology
Axiology Beauty’s mission has always been to combat the beauty industry’s massive packaging waste, which amounts to 120 billion units annually. Their cruelty-free, vegan lipsticks were previously made with 50% recycled plastic. In 2022, they launched the Skin Loving Fungdation, a lightweight, breathable foundation enriched with reishi and snow mushrooms for deep hydration and a radiant glow. It provides light-to-medium coverage and comes in eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging and is vegan.
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney stands at the forefront of ethical luxury fashion, celebrated for its steadfast dedication to animal rights. The brand offers premium clothing, footwear, bags, and accessories, all crafted without any materials derived from animals. Instead, Stella McCartney embraces inventive alternatives such as vegan leather and fur-free designs, delivering cruelty-free elegance.
With sustainability as a fundamental principle, the brand exemplifies how compassion and luxury can harmoniously coexist. Of course, it’s a little on the pricey side, but so worth a mention!
Youth To The People
Youth To The People is a vegan skincare brand that draws inspiration from superfoods and innovative science. Each product is crafted without any animal-derived ingredients, showcasing the brand’s dedication to animal rights and cruelty-free practices. By prioritising sustainable packaging and ethically sourced plant-based ingredients, the brand provides effective skincare solutions that are gentle on both animals and the environment.
Nae Vegan Shoes
Nae (No Animal Exploitation) Vegan Shoes is a Portuguese footwear brand dedicated to crafting fashionable and long-lasting shoes without causing harm to animals. Utilising sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled PET, and cork, they create versatile designs suitable for any occasion. Nae demonstrates that animal-free fashion can be both environmentally friendly and stylish.
KVD Beauty
KVD Beauty is a pioneer in the vegan beauty sector, vegan beauty sector, providing a comprehensive selection of high-performance cosmetics that are completely cruelty-free. Founded by tattoo artist Kat Von D, the brand has upheld its commitment to animal rights by eliminating all animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax and carmine, from its products. With their striking colours and cutting-edge formulas, KVD Beauty appeals to makeup lovers who prioritise compassion in their beauty routines. And you can find it in your local Boots too!
Tofutree
Tofutree is a New Zealand lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting vegan, cruelty-free homewares and accessories that draw inspiration from whimsical, nature-inspired designs. Their products contain no animal materials, reflecting a commitment to a philosophy that merges creativity with ethical living. From reusable tote bags to vibrant stationery, Tofutree provides distinctive items ideal for animal rights enthusiasts.
Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell creates sneakers designed with a transparent and sustainable life cycle. Each pair blends thoughtful design with modern, responsibly sourced materials to ensure durability, comfort, and recyclability. The brand’s name reflects its commitment to diverse ideas driving change, inspired by the historic role of fellmongers who brought raw materials to market. Looking ahead, Thousand Fell aims to build a library of sustainable, vegan textiles, setting a new industry standard for sourcing and design.
Their approach prioritizes product circularity, selecting materials with low carbon footprints, recycled content, and renewable alternatives. They emphasize local sourcing to reduce environmental impact.
Committed to leaving the world better than they found it, Thousand Fell uses materials that are biodegradable, recyclable into new shoes, or upcyclable for future projects.
Wills Vegan Store
Wills Vegan Store is a fashion and footwear brand based in London that has proudly maintained a 100% vegan ethos since its inception in 2012. The brand creates ethically produced shoes, outerwear, and accessories, utilising innovative materials such as vegan leather made from bio-oil and plant-based alternatives. Wills Vegan Store promotes a vision centred on sustainability, quality, and fashion that respects animal rights, making it accessible for all too.
BEEN London
BEEN London creates versatile, timeless accessories using materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. By transforming waste into valuable products, the brand highlights innovative possibilities and promotes environmental conservation. Each accessory is handcrafted in the UK, reducing carbon footprints while preserving local craftsmanship and heritage.
BEEN London emphasizes that true luxury lies in transparency, authenticity, and sustainable action. Their design process rejects the traditional “take, make, waste” cycle, focusing instead on circularity and innovation. Constantly seeking new recycled materials, the brand collaborates with like-minded companies dedicated to waste reduction. Their collections feature materials such as Piñatex (derived from pineapple leaves), recycled polyester, apple skin fabric, recycled felt, regenerated nylon, and recycled cotton.
and finally.....
International Animal Rights Day serves as a crucial reminder of the ethical responsibility we have toward all living beings. It calls for a fundamental shift in perspective—from one of domination and exploitation to one of empathy and respect. By acknowledging animals as sentient beings with the right to live free from suffering, we take a step toward a more compassionate and just world. Observing this day not only highlights the need to end animal exploitation but also reinforces the broader principle that true justice and equality must extend to all creatures, fostering a future where all life is valued and protected.