I’ve always supported animal rights, but I’ve never supported PETA. They are obviously an extreme organization, and they have done more damage to some animals than good. While I agree that I’d rather see Michael Vick playing football than abusing animals, realistically the two are not opposite. Obviously, he was known for being a part of both at the same time. And realistically, that kind of position is a privilege that most of us could never dream of. It’s a privilege that there are literally thousands of kids ready to work for.
Reputable Animal Defense
But there are other animal rights organizations and non-profits that really due vie for animal rights rather than simply trying to get as much attention as possible. I’ve heard of a teenage girl who started distributing dog food to the homeless, which is a simple act, and yet it’s one that made a significant difference not just for the dogs, but for owners who then took food to feed themselves.
Their Mission
The mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund is to protect animals from abuse, neglect, and cruelty, whether they be a wild bear, a horse, or a dog. They work to assure that animal abusers get harsher punishments, not only for the obvious damage to the animals, but in part because many of the criminals who think of other people as somehow below them and commit crimes accordingly start on animals.
Latest Efforts
The Animal Legal Defense Fund acts to protect a wide variety of animals. Obviously, they work to fight dog fighting rings. But their latest mission was actually to protect a tiger kept in inhumane conditions at a truck stop! It’s not something we normally think of. But unlike PETA, they did not go and break into the truck stop to free this tiger without thinking of the consequences for all parties involved. They petitioned the Louisiana Department of Wildlife to revoke the license given to the “caretaker” Michael Sandlin.
Recognition
The likelihood is that you will never see the Animal Legal Defense Fund on TV, because they are not as dramatic as many other organizations. I don’t think that those on TV are necessarily bad. They bring a certain amount of awareness, and they take steps that need to be taken. And many pit bull rescues for example are nothing less than worthy causes. But it could be said that the Animal Legal Defense Fund does more good for more animals by taking legal measures and largely working behind the scenes.
