Many people, including animal 'lovers', believe that treating someone well while still using them somehow makes their actions acceptable. Some argue that animals enjoy a comfortable life because humans provide them with food, shelter, and care. Zoos, circuses, aquariums, and pet 'owners' all operate under the same illusion: animals are loved only as long as they serve human interests. Does it matter how well someone treated their slaves? Or isn’t the issue rather that they owned slaves at all? The same principle applies when discussing animal rights. The moral imperative is clear: we must evolve beyond using sentient beings as tools for human benefit. When we advocate for animal rights, we are fighting for one fundamental principle: the right not to be property.
ROLAND AZAR: Many people believe that treating someone well while still using them somehow makes their actions acceptable. Some argue that animals enjoy a comfortable life because humans provide them with food, shelter, and care… backyard egg farms claim to provide chickens with a comfortable life, yet these birds are still bred for human gain, often suffering from genetic modifications that compromise their health. Their existence is dictated by human ownership rather than autonomy.
Likewise, horseback riding often masquerades as a mutually beneficial relationship, where horses receive medical attention, well-maintained stables, and affectionate treatment—but only because they serve a function… The same logic applies across various forms of animal exploitation. Zoos, circuses, aquariums, and pet breeding facilities all operate under the same illusion: animals are “loved” only as long as they serve human interests. But love should never be dependent on what someone provides — it should be unconditional…
Beneath it all, every animal — whether raised for meat, milk, eggs, labor, entertainment, or any other purpose— is valued only for their ability to serve human interests. Their worth is determined by their usefulness, and when they can no longer meet expectations—whether due to age, injury, or declining performance — they are frequently sold, abandoned, or killed. This harsh reality underscores a deeper issue: when profit is the driving force, no amount of humane treatment can erase the fact that these beings are being used as property…
Does it matter how well someone treated their slaves? Or isn’t the issue rather that they owned slaves at all? The same principle applies when discussing animal rights. The central issue is not the degree to which an industry treats animals but rather that they are being bred into existence and used as commodities in the first place. Some may argue that reducing suffering or avoiding unnecessary harm is enough. But even animals who are not directly harmed or killed are still victims of exploitation…
True justice does not come from making exploitation more humane — it comes from eliminating it altogether. .. Living beings should not have to earn their safety by being useful to humans. Their worth is intrinsic — not transactional… The moral imperative is clear: we must evolve beyond using sentient beings as tools for human benefit… When we advocate for animal rights, we are fighting for one fundamental principle: the right not to be property. SOURCE…
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