Resources for Novices and Activists

Basic Animal Rights Information Animal Rights FAQ Animals Voice For further study: Tom Regan ________________________________________ Animal Rights and Religion Many people struggle with the accepted teachings of their faith pertaining to non-human species, while others use the Bible (and other sacred texts) to defend their mistreatment of animals. The following are some good resources to help demystify the issue. All Creatures Buddhist Resources on Animal Welfare Hindu American Foundation Islamic Concern Jewish Veg Vegan Spirituality ________________________________________ The Link - Animal Abuse and Human Violence The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty Animals & Society Institute Bibliography of the Links Domestic Violence and Pets HSUS - Animal Abuse and Human Violence Juvenile Justice Bulletin

Looking back at some of society's amusement choices is enough to make you cringe. Traveling "freak shows," where those with disfigurements earned a living the only way they could - by displaying themselves to gawking audiences. The "tar baby" game, the goal of which was to throw a ball at little replicas of black babies, trying to make them spin. Singing minstrels in black-face. While many unethical types of entertainment have gone by the wayside, we still exploit other species for our own pleasure. Sometimes we even rationalize it as good for the animals (i.e., zoos that suddenly claim they are a vital asset in the conservation of endangered species). The following groups will give you all the information you need to see that exploitation of animals has no place in entertainment. Animal Defenders International Born Free USA Freedom for Animals Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe Humane Society of the United States In Defense of Animals – Elephants ​Performing Animal Welfare Society PETA SHARK (rodeos, pigeon shoots, other blood sports) Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, US

Whether it's fur, leather, wool, silk, down, mohair, angora, feathers, cashmere, snakeskin, or some other animal-based material, it all belongs on its original owner. You may think some of these fibers don't kill the animal - wool, feathers, down, for example. But, no one raises sheep just for shearing. No one keeps ducks and geese so they can collect their surplus down. Milk and eggs do not in and of themselves kill the animals, yet these businesses depend on the eventual deaths of the animals. So, too, are animal-based "fabrics" just one part of a larger industry. Additionally, the methods used when raising the animals and harvesting their fibers are barbaric. One facet of fur and skin manufacturing rarely discussed is the environmental damage. The chemicals employed in their processing are highly toxic for groundwater, the workers themselves, and those living nearby. Animals Australia (wool) Association for Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals Born Free USA (trapping) Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade Environmental Impact of Animal-based Clothing Fur Free Alliance HSUS Fur-Free Campaign PETA (fur, leather, wool, down, angora, silk, cashmere, and others) Respect For Animals (extensive facts and statistics on fur worldwide) United Poultry Concerns (down)

Vivisection (experimentation on live animals) is unimaginably cruel. Adding insult to injury, it is also unnecessary and often leads researchers in the wrong direction. In the case of drug testing, animal models are no more predictive than flipping a coin, meaning dangerous medications are approved, while potentially valuable treatments never make it beyond the first step. Sadly, scientists don't seem to care, as medical journals are filled with redundant research. Please educate yourself and others, using these sites for the facts. American Anti-Vivisection Society Cruelty Free International(formerly BUAV) National Anti-Vivisection Society National Anti-Vivisection Society, UK New England Anti-Vivisection Society Photographic Exhibition on Vivisection Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine White Coat Waste Before you donate to that charity claiming to help babies, or boasting about its life-saving cancer research, find out exactly how they use your donations. Most of the health charities receiving the bulk of the attention (and money) fund animal experiments. PCRM may be of some assistance with this. But, you should always ask an organization where its funding is spent. ____________________________________________ Dissection is a heartless, outdated mode of teaching science. It is wasteful and environmentally damaging, and considering the range of superior alternatives, its continued practice is unjustifiable. If you need help for your child, teacher, or yourself, look into these resources. In addition to detailed information, there are sources for borrowing or purchasing alternatives. Animalearn Humane Learning InterNICHE NEAVS Ethical Science Education Campaign PCRM(advanced medical, veterinary, and trauma training) ____________________________________________ Big corporations (like Procter & Gamble, SC Johnson, L'Oreal) continue to torture animals for household and personal care products. (You can learn about these tests on the websites under the Vivisection heading above.) But, the tide has turned. A variety of excellent companies either no longer use animal testing, or they never did. They are also easy to come by and affordable. No more searching obscure websites or taking out a loan just to put on make-up! You will find lists on the following sites: HSUS Be Cruelty-Free Leaping Bunny Program NAVS Live Cruelty-Free PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies Program This site gives information on what "cruelty-free" entails and why we strive for it. It includes links to citations, and lists of companies. CouponFollow Guide to Cruelty-Free Shopping

Here are some good organizations and webpages for information on a variety of pet issues. A few of these are pages on unrelated company websites, so please keep in mind we are not promoting the products or services. We are also opposed to the breeding and selling of animals, and any suggestion otherwise is contrary to the basic animal rights philosophy. We are simply providing access to helpful animal care information. (There are more companion animal resources on our Live Cruelty-Free page.) Animal Legal Defense Fund ASPCA Avian Welfare Coalition Bi-State Pet Food Pantry Dogs Deserve Better Domestic Violence and Pets House Rabbit Society Maddie’s Fund Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation MoneyGeek(figure the costs of a pet) Moving with Your Family Pets Opt to Adopt...No Matter What Species Rat Fan Club (for rat care only) Respect For Fish (much-needed, yet rarely seen, info on fish) Unchain Your Dog Disaster Preparedness Resources ADT Disaster Preparedness Resources FEMA Disaster Preparedness Pet-Friendly Travel Red Rover Disaster Preparedness Wild Bird Identifier ______________________________________ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Resources BARC St. Louis Carol House Quick Fix Pet Clinic OpSPOT Pound Pals Nooterville Spay USA

You can foster children's natural love for (and curiosity about) animals. You can also introduce them to some of the realities of society's treatment of animals without traumatizing them. These websites were created for just such purposes. Animal Aid Youth Animal Facts(interesting facts about practically every animal there is) Animal Hero Kids Kind News ​Mitch Spinach PETA Kids TeachKind(for parents and teachers) Vegetarian Resource Group (veg nutrition and meal planning for kids and teens)

If you are doing research for a demonstration or presentation, a school project, or merely to better educate yourself, factual information is a must. The following are good places to start: Reference Section Animal Legal Center (laws and cases) Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Protection Laws of States(as of 2019) Association of College & Research Libraries Animal Law Resources Domestic Violence and Pets Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (animal ag data) Faunalytics (research on animal issues) Humane Scorecard (how your legislators voted) Sentience Institute(research on animal issues) Shippensburg University Library Veg-Friendly Dining & Travel VegFund (resources and assistance for activists) World Animal Net (directory of groups, plus resources) _____________________________________ Animal-Related News Animals 24-7 The Dodo The Guardian Animal Rights News The Independent Animal Rights News Vegan News _____________________________________ Photo and Video Collections Animals Voice Photo Gallery Animals Voice Video Gallery PETA Video Collection Photographic Exhibition on Vivisection ​ PETA Photo Gallery: Animals in Entertainment Animals Used for Clothing Animals Used for Experimentation Animals Used for Food Companion Animals

This is probably the biggest contribution you can make to combat animal cruelty and death. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 72-billion land animals worldwide are slaughtered for human consumption every year. This does not take into account fish and sea life. Animals used for food suffer from start to finish, from the castration of male animals and repeated rape of female animals, to the deprivation of transport and horrors of slaughter. Make no mistake, cruelty is not an anomaly here or there; it is built into the animal agriculture system. Unfortunately, this industry has taken advantage of people who want to be kind and created a self-sustaining lie - the Humane Myth. There is no such thing as humane animal agriculture. Check out these other links to learn how you can go vegan, whether overnight or over a longer period of transition. A Well-Fed World Choose Veg Food Empowerment Project How Do I Go Vegan? How to Go Vegan International Vegan Association Try Veg Vegan Outreach Vegetarian Resource Group VegFund(activist resources and assistance) VegWeb Veganize Your Recipes Respect For Fish (much-needed, yet rarely seen, info on fish) For an interesting look at The History of Veganism, check out this YouTube channel.

Local Help for Wildlife in Trouble ​ Bi-State Wildlife Hotline 636-492-1610 1-800-945-3435 GeesePeace St. Louis PO Box 6246 Chesterfield, MO 63006 314-567-2081 Wild Bird Rehabilitation (sick or injured songbirds only) Note: WBR no longer accepts starlings - call or text 314-630-3702 for advice on starlings 9624 Midland Blvd. Overland, MO 63114 314-426-6400 Wildlife Rescue Center of Missouri 1128 New Ballwin Road Ballwin, MO 63021 636-394-1880 World Bird Sanctuary (sick or injured birds of prey only) 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road Valley Park, MO 63088 636-225-4390 Humane Wildlife Solutions, LLC (humane wildlife removal and deterrent solutions) 314-567-2060 HSUS Answers to Wildlife Problems “What to do if you find a baby bird” “What to do if you find a baby mammal” Global Wildlife Issues Animals Asia Born Free Foundation Born Free USA Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Performing Animal Welfare Society Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, US Wildlife SOS Wildlife Organizations to Avoid