THE ANIMAL BILL OF RIGHTS

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged on the way its animals are treated ." – Mahatma Ghandi

Sources for the Animal Bill of Rights:
Animal Liberation Front (ALF)
Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
Dr. Michael Fox (MF)
Patricia A. Rice

• All animals, whether wild or domestic, shall be treated with respect. Animals shall have the right to be free from exploitation, cruelty, neglect, and abuse. (ALF). No animal shall be subject to inhumane acts. All nonhuman animals shall have the right to freedom from pain, fear, and incarceration. (MF)
• Humanity shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or exploit other species. It is the duty of the people, nations, and governments to protect wild species.
• All wild animals shall have the right to liberty in their natural environment and shall be allowed to procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of this right. (ALF) Wild animals shall have the right to a natural, undisturbed habitat, ecologically sufficient for a normal existence and a self-sustaining species population (MF).
• Animals shall have the right not to be used in cruel or unnecessary experiments. (ALDF) Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is incompatible with our moral imperative as human beings, whether it be for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research. Replacement methods must be found, developed, and used. (ALF)
• Animals living in a farm environment shall have the right to an environment that satisfies their basic physical and psychological needs, (ALDF) and to live and grow at the rhythm and under the conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for purposes of gain is an infringement of this right. (ALF) In addition, farm animals shall not be given hormones to make them grow abnormally or antibiotics when they are not ill.
• Companion animals shall have the right to a healthy diet, protective shelter, and adequate medical care (ALDF).
• No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of human beings. Exhibitions and spectacles, including circus acts, involving animals are incompatible with the dignity with which humans must treat animals. (ALF)
• Any act of wanton murder of animals shall be called biocide, a crime against life. (ALF)
• Any act involving the mass murder of wild animals shall be called a genocide, a crime against species. Pollution and destruction of the natural environment shall be considered acts that lead to genocide of species. (ALF)
• “Puppy mills” and other businesses seeking to exploit cats, dogs, or other animals in such a way shall be banned.
• Dog fighting, cock fighting, or other event involving animals maiming, hurting, or killing one another shall be banned.