Most people, in one way or another, contribute to animal exploitation. Whether it’s by consuming meat, wearing a leather belt, or spending a day at the zoo, millions of animals are used and abused by humans, many times indirectly, every single day. This enormous problem isn’t exclusively caused by pet abusers or factory farmers. Much of the time, the main contributors to the problem are normal people living normal lives. Why else would the meat industry make billions of dollars each other? Why else would circuses and petting zoos stay in business? It’s because they make their money off of people who do not know any better than to give their money to these organizations. Circuses, for example, are publicly viewed as wholesome sources of family fun; the abuse that goes on behind the glittering stage and flashing lights is not widely acknowledged. And few people other than animal rights activists know the gruesome truth of what goes on in slaughterhouses and factory farms. Animal ethicist Bernard E. Rollin notes that “if you showed the average person where their bacon comes from, he or she probably wouldn’t eat it!” The main reason behind the massive problem of animal exploitation is simply the lack of knowledge about the issue throughout the general public. The following two literature reviews demonstrate and further explain this point.
In Catharine Grant’s The No-Nonsense Guide to Animal Rights, she focuses on describing the different forms of animal abuse: animals used for food, entertainment, clothing, and science. She details, sometimes very graphically, the reality of these industries. Her purpose is to inform the reader of how animals are exploited and abused every day by average Americans. She notes that animal abuse is sometimes direct, such as when an animal trainer at the circus beats his elephants in order for them to perform. But more often than not, normal people support these industries by buying meat, going to see animals in zoos, circuses, and aquariums, and wearing animal products like fur and leather. She acknowledges the fact that the general public doesn’t fully understand the scope of animal abuse. Because of this, she includes a “practical guide to reduce animal suffering” at the end of her book. However, her views on reducing animal suffering never reach the radical standpoint. They are, in her own words, “practical”, and include not consuming meat every day, buying free-range products, and wearing fake fur or leather. As a result, her words do not come off as overly pushy or extreme. The book explains the key issues of animal abuse without sounding condescending or chastising the public. Her goal is to inform, not to be pushy and shocking.
Bernard E. Rollin’s Animal Rights & Human Morality also accomplishes similar goals. Rollin stresses ethical, responsible living, which is not cutting animals entirely out of one’s life, but is rather being informed of what goes in the various animal industries. He is not condescending or harsh when he presents the reality of animal abuse. His relaxed but matter-of-fact tone effectively describes the problem without overdoing it. Rollin’s detailed research, especially in the areas of animals used for science and agriculture, is fascinating yet harrowing to read. Like Grant, Rollin wants to present the problem of animal exploitation so the public is more informed. He realizes the fact that many Americans simply do not realize what goes on in the animal industries and continue to support their cruelty. An interesting topic he writes about in detail is the differences between humans and animals and whether those differences justify a moral difference. In other words, just because humans are more “civilized” and intelligent than animals, does that really make it justifiable for us to use them for our benefit? He plays the devil’s advocate role well, and consequently analyzes both sides of the issue, which is informative and interesting.
Even though animal abuse is more prevalent than ever before, many Americans simply do not know enough about it to stop contributing to the industries responsible. Both Grant and Rollin demonstrate, however, that with a little information, it is easy for people to make humane decisions without dramatically changing their lifestyle.
Grant, Catherine. The No-Nonsense Guide to Animal Rights. UK: New Internationalist Publications Ltd
2006.
Rollin, Bernard E. Animal Rights & Human Morality. 3rd ed. Amherst: Prometheus Books, 2006.
