ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE Small Animal Management

ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE Small Animal Management Picture taken from: http: //www. petguide. com/breeds/dog/american-eskimo-dog /

MAKE A LIST What have you eaten today that came from an animal? What are you wearing today that came from an animal? http: //fitnessandhealthadvisor. com/eggs-goodbad/ http: //www. zappos. com/sperry-top-siderbillfish-3 -eye-boat-shoe

THINK ABOUT IT… Animals and their by-products enhance our lives. Sometimes we aren’t even aware that an animal has been used in testing the products we use every day. Some believe that we should care for all animals in a humane way, and use them to improve our lives; Others believe animals should have the same rights as humans.

TODAY WE WILL…. Compare and contrast animal rights and welfare Identify important persons, organizations, and groups involved in the animal rights movement Create a timeline of dates and acts of legislation related to animal welfare Analyze current issues in animal rights and welfare

ANIMAL RIGHTS DEFINED Animal rights advocates believe that “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. ” Organizations like PETA, People for the ethical treatment of animals, see no distinction between the rights of humans and animals “When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife. ” Taken From: http: //www. peta. org/

ANIMAL WELFARE DEFINED Animal welfare advocates for the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as companionship, food, fiber, recreation, work, education, and research conducted for the benefit of both humans and animals. Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering. Animals should be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, provided a humane death. Taken From: https: //www. avma. org/kb/resources/reference/animalwelfare/pages/default. aspx? utm_source=oldsite&utm_medium=prettyurl&utm_term= animalwelfare&utm_campaign=redirect

SO, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Animal Rights § Believe that animals have rights § Believe we should not use animals for human purposes § Believe animals are as important as people § Promote veganism— not eating or using animals for food or otherwise Animal Welfare § Believe that animals should be cared for § Believe animals should be used to enhance human lives § Believes animals should be cared for, but are not as important as people § Promote use of animals for food and clothing

THE ROLE OF THE AGRICULTURALIST Agriculturalists are those who work in the area of cultivating the land rearing crops and livestock. As students involved in agriculture, think about the role of those involved in producing livestock or small animal breeders. Do they have a vested interest in caring for animals, ensuring their health and well being? Though animal rights activists would have the general public believe that agriculturalists are abusers and exploiters of animals, those cases are the exception, not the rule. As agriculturalists, it is our role to promote the positive story of animals in agriculture, protect animals in cases where they are not being treated ethically, and stamp out ignorance when we find it.

THE ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT Many point to the publication, Animal Liberation by Peter Singer in 1975 as a catalyst for the movement. In 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund was established. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was founded in 1980. They originally protested the use of laboratory animals and animal slaughter. Ingrid Newkirk is the cofounder and president of PETA. For more details on the animal rights movement and timeline, visit http: //animalrights. about. com/od/animalrights 101/a/Ti meline. Modern. htm and http: //www. peta. org/

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966. It is the only federal law that regulates treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. The original law has been amended many times (for more information, see: https: //awic. nal. usda. gov/government-andprofessional-resources/federal-laws/animal-welfare-act ) Other laws related to animal welfare include § The Horse Protection Act: http: //www. aphis. usda. gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfar e? 1 dmy&urile=wcm%3 apath%3 a%2 FAPHIS_Content_Library%2 FSA_ Our_Focus%2 FSA_Animal_Welfare%2 FSA_HPA § The Humane Slaughter Act: https: //awic. nal. usda. gov/governmentand-professional-resources/federal-laws/humane-methods-slaughteract

TEXAS PROUD OF TEXAS AGRICULTURE Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture is a state initiative by FFA and 4 -H to promote the role of agriculture in providing to consumers. It focuses on the message students can share with others. The Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture initiative is focused on telling the story of agriculture: § What it’s like to grow up on a farm or ranch, § the joys of raising show animals, § learning practical agriculture in the classroom and § putting those practices to work on the farms, ranches and agricultural laboratories of Texas.

ANIMAL RIGHTS ANIMAL WELFARE DEBATE You have been assigned a role, either animal rights or animal welfare In groups, develop and discuss your arguments for or against the issues below based on your role § Debate the issue of testing an experimental drug on mice that could provide key answers to developing a cure for Leukemia. § Debate the issue of serving milk in the cafeteria. § Debate the issue of showing livestock at the county fair. § Debate the issue of using animals in rodeo and circus performances.

ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION ACTIVITY Using the link on the USDA Animal Welfare Information Center entitled “The Animal Welfare Act: Background and Selected Animal Welfare Legislation” http: //nationalaglawcenter. org/wpcontent/uploads/assets/crs/RS 22493. pdf, Develop a timeline of the dates and acts related to animal welfare. Think About…. What is the primary purpose of these legislative acts?

ANALYZE CURRENT ISSUES IN ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE ACTIVITY Using the resources provided by your teacher, identify current issues related to Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Categorize each issue as Animal Rights and Animal Welfare based on relative importance of the issue to each Analyze ways the agricultural industry may respond most productively Identify the issues most relevant to small animal management

EVALUATION What are the primary differences between animal rights and animal welfare? Name an important person, organizations, and groups involved in the animal rights movement. Name three acts of legislation and when they occurred related to animal welfare What are some current issues in animal rights and welfare? Why is it important to be familiar with animal rights and animal welfare issues?

SUMMARY Today we discussed animal rights and animal welfare. For some this is a tough topic. For agriculturalists, it is important to be informed of the issues and be aware of the laws and regulations regarding humane treatment of animals and livestock.

REFERENCES USDA Animal Welfare Information Center: http: //awic. nal. usda. gov/ Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations Handbook from USDA: http: //www. aphis. usda. gov/animal_welfare/downloads/Anim al%20 Care%20 Blue%20 Book%20 -%202013%20 -%20 FINAL. pdf Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture: http: //texasproudoftexasag. com/default. aspx American Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Principles: https: //www. avma. org/kb/resources/reference/animalwelfar e/pages/default. aspx? utm_source=oldsite&utm_medium=pret tyurl&utm_term=animalwelfare&utm_campaign=redirect Animal Welfare Council: http: //animalwelfarecouncil. com/

TEXAS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS Science I. A. 1, 4 Science IV. B. 1, 2 Social Studies I. C. 3 Social Studies I. E. 1, 4 Social Studies IV. A. 1, 3

Developed by the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications, Texas A&M University for the Texas Education Agency, Educational Excellence Project for AFNR ©Texas Education Agency, 2014