QandAs: Home

What are animal rights?

Answer:
Animal rights is a phrase that describes a belief that

all animals deserve fair and humane treatment.

The topic of animal rights is a very controversial one. Some people believe animals deserve the same rights to fair and humane treatment as humans and that animals are a part of the family while other people believe animals are property and deserve no such rights.

Animal rights activists often protest the killing of animals for food, clothing, or other purposes. This activity sometimes turns violent when the activists and hunters meet. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are two of the most commonly-known animal rights groups. The ASPCA is usually staffed by current and former law enforcement and they utilize peaceful means to spread their message. PETA is staffed by ordinary people, but their beliefs and activities are more extreme and violent than those of the ASPCA. The ASPCA is also tasked with rescuing animals that have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, then rehabilitating them and finding them new homes. The ASPCA works in tandem with law enforcement agencies to bring animal abusers to justice.