In a world full of greed and selfishness, there is little compassion for those unlike our own. Many people believe that humans are the superior to all other species, but I do not necessarily agree. As poet and philosopher Sri Aurobindo once said, “Life is life- whether in a cat, or dog, or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own advantage”. It is sick to see how easily humankind can turn into savages once the concept of respect and consideration is extended beyond our species to include other animals.


I want to know how humans can hang a dead animal’s head or stuffed body up on their wall and call it a trophy. I want to know how the most squeamish of all women have no trouble covering themselves in furs of all kinds. I want to know how pet stores get away with selling dogs from puppy mills and why no one has yet to put a stop to the so-called sport of seal clubbing. How many animals have to be mistreated, abandoned, or killed before enough of the world takes notice? How many species have to disappear off of the face of the earth before we finally put a stop to the abuse? I wish I did not have to ask these questions. Because we should not have to fight for an animal’s right to be free from human cruelty and exploitation.


For those who ask what is wrong with hunting and circus enslavement and animal testing, I would like to pose for them this question: If there is nothing wrong with animal abuse, then what is wrong with cannibalism, racism, sexism, slavery, and the experiments Nazis performed on prisoners during World War II? Any objections? If yes, then consider this: Are the above actions wrong because the subjects involved were human, or because the subjects were harmed?


I know I might have come across as a crazy, radical animal activist thus far, but in order to truly show to you just how important the issue of animal rights is to me, I must be blunt and a little extreme. Simply put, I love animals so much more than I could possibly express in this essay, or in words in general. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than watching a happy little puppy romping around in grass taller than it is, chasing bugs and enjoying the warmth of a bright summer’s day. And nothing brings such deep heartache as does watching a beloved animal grow old and weary, too weak to let its spirit run free. An animal can be so much more than merely another creature roaming among us; an animal can be your companion, your closest family, and your lifelong friend.


My lifetime endeavor is to put a stop to animal cruelty. I feel that one of the main purposes for my life is to help fight for those who cannot speak for themselves. I dream of the day that the world embraces the fact that we are all God’s creatures and that we all have rights.