Animal Rights Awareness Week occurs the third week of June every year. It takes place from June 16 to 22 this year. The week raises awareness about animal welfare and how to best protect and respect animals. The topics for this week are animal cruelty, puppy mills, animal testing, e.t.c. The week was first established and observed in 1991 by the In Defense of Animals organization. Each year, it is observed to raise public awareness about global animal rights issues and speak up for animals that humans have exploited for millennia.
History of Animal Rights Awareness Week
The concept of animal rights stems from the philosophy that all sentient beings have inherent moral value independent of their utility to human beings. Furthermore, this philosophy propounds that the interests of all such beings, such as avoiding exploitation, should be afforded proper consideration — akin to the interests of human beings. The increasing evidence of the negative impact human beings have on animals has increased our moral obligation to ensure the least amount of damage is inflicted on them.
The concept of animal rights has been around for millennia, finding its roots in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain philosophies of non-violence and equality for all living beings. In the Global North, one of the first animal cruelty legislation was passed in 1635, banning the tearing off of wool from live sheep. The first outright mention of animal rights came from a book by Henry Stephens Salt, “Animals’ Rights: Considered in Relation to Social Progress,” which spoke up against the prejudice toward animals.
Today, the animal rights movement fights against the existing exploitation of animals in the meat and dairy industries, puppy mills, animal testing, the use and consumption of animal products in food and fashion, e.t.c. Animal rights activists often encourage people to buy cruelty-free products, go vegan, and adopt pets instead of buying them from breeders.
Animal Rights Awareness Week timeline
The domestication of animals begins with dogs.
Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist philosophies discourage animal cruelty.
One of the first animal rights legislations is passed, banning the tearing of wool from live sheep.
In Defense of Animals announces the first Animal Rights Awareness Week.
Animal Rights Awareness Week FAQs
How can we make people aware of animal cruelty?
There are many ways you can help raise awareness of animal cruelty. For example, you can volunteer at animal shelters, report animal cruelty, tell people about the cause, e.t.c.
Which animals are protected by law?
Animals with specific legislative protection include bats, otters, water voles, reptiles, and badgers.
What is the most abused animal?
The most abused animal is likely the chicken in terms of numbers and routine suffering inflicted. About 50 billion chickens are raised for meat every year, and five billion more are kept for laying eggs.
How to Observe Animal Rights Awareness Week
Consider going vegan
In honor of Animal Rights Awareness Week, consider going vegan. And if that is too drastic for you, consider phasing out meat and other animal products from your life.
Pledge to buy cruelty-free
Another thing you can do is make sure that the products you buy are cruelty-free. This means that animals were not used when testing the products.
Donate to an animal shelter
If it’s within your means, donate to an animal shelter. This will help them support more stray animals in need and promote animal rights.
5 Important Facts About Animal Industries
G.H.G. emissions of the meat industry
The meat industry’s greenhouse gas emissions (G.H.G.) are more than all transportation emissions globally.
Water usage
Animal agriculture uses about 56% of the water supply in the U.S.
Diseases in puppy mills
Many dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer from ailments like kidney and heart diseases due to the terrible conditions.
Sloths in tourism
Most sloths used by the tourism industry die within half a year of capture.
The first animal welfare charity
Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, and Reverend Arthur Broome founded the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1824.
Why Animal Rights Awareness Week is Important
It highlights an important issue
One animal is abused every minute. Animal Rights Awareness Week highlights animal cruelty and how pressing of an issue it is.
It raises awareness
Animal Rights Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about animal welfare and inspire people to act for the cause. It also challenges us to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.
It’s a call to be more mindful
Once you’re aware of animal cruelty, you can’t turn a blind eye to it. The heightened awareness of animal rights compels us to be more mindful of our actions on all living beings.
Animal Rights Awareness Week dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | June 20 | Monday |
2023 | June 19 | Monday |
2024 | June 17 | Monday |
2025 | June 16 | Monday |
2026 | June 15 | Monday |