People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
We often hear or read stories about the unethical and inhumane treatment of animals. The problem is, however, not many people are actually moved enough to get out of their chairs and make a difference. Part of the reason for this complacency is because many people feel like they can’t really make a difference in the situation. The truth is, every person’s actions count. Whether it is something as simple as decreasing your consumption of meat or adhering to a strict vegetarian diet, it really does make a difference towards the cause of animal rights. One of the biggest organizations that fight for animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals is the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.
The plight of man and animal
Animals are mistreated for many different reasons. Some are hunted down for the “sport” of hunting, while others are pursued for their skins, tusks, or other parts of their bodies, which can be sold on black markets for large amounts of money. Oftentimes, these animal parts are turned into statues, trinkets, or used in the creation of garments and accessories. From leather and alligator-skin shoes to fur coats and snake-skin bags, it seems as though man tries to find any excuse to turn animals into a consumer item. Aside from hunting animals for profit, another way that man mistreats animals is by using them in scientific experiments, hence the term “guinea pig.” Rather than respecting animals as co-inhabitants of the earth, it seems as though man is trying to exert his will on animals to prove his “superiority” over them.
The role of PETA
The main mission of PETA is to fight for the rights of animals and to expose inhumane and unethical acts against animals. The organization believes that we should take another look into the way that we treat animals and how we often use them to do as we please. It’s important for us to realize that we are not the only living beings on the planet that deserve care, sensitivity, and respect. We need to take heed of the causes that PETA is fighting for, so that we can realize just how important animals are to us, to our environment, and to the world that we live in.
Photo Credit : coolzor