I am posting this journal for personal reasons. Mainly, because I've noticed over the years that there are many people out there who have a negative perception on animal rights activists. I'm posting this to clear that up. I'm starting small but will be adding more things in the future.

We Are Not All PETA Members
Most animal rights activists not only are not associated with PETA, but think that they are detrimental to our cause. PETA engages in questionable methods and supports extremist views. In fact, many of PETA's standpoints are directly opposite that of your standard animal rights activist.

We Don't Care More About Animal Rights Than Human Rights
We speak for a group that cannot speak for itself. Many animal rights activists also feel very strongly about human rights causes, as well. Just because we put our focus on one group doesn't mean we don't care about another. A gay rights activist doesn't care more about gay rights than women's rights, and nobody would make that claim.

What We Don't Want:
A ban on owning pets
Bans on spay/neuter
To give animals human-like rights


Examples of What We Want:

Not everybody wants the same things. Many people don't feel that certain protections are necessary. So, as an example, I will list what I, personally, feel is worth fighting for.

Harsher punishments for animal abuse and neglect
Ban on declawing and other unneeded mutilations
Laws prohibiting the purposeful breeding of animals that are detrimentally deformed or ill for aesthetics
Mandatory spay/neuter laws allowing for people to purchase permits to have an unaltered animal
Stricter regulations on animal shelters to prevent abuse, neglect and corruption
Ban on testing animals for reasons that will not benefit the health of humans or animals (ie cosmetics)
Ban on puppy/kitten mills
Protections against abuse and neglect for "small animals"
A lift on the ferret ban in California and Hawaii