Fun
The best things in life are cruelty-free!
It is easy to find fun things to do that do not involve animal exploitation (We’re sure you will be able to think of a few things yourself.). But in case you fancy a night at the dogs or a day at the races - read on.
Don't back the suffering
Thousands of horses and greyhounds are abused by the racing industries every year. The public is led to believe that these are harmless sports, in which the animals actually enjoy participating. But people are unaware of the suffering, injuries and early deaths that lie hidden in the background. Some horses die out on the tracks, others die from injuries sustained in training or they are killed because their owners believe they are no longer profitable. Racing dogs and horses are not beloved pets, no matter what the industries allege. They live a confined, restricted life, and suffer from health problems because of the continual racing, stressful lifestyle and unnatural diet they are fed. They are regarded as money-making machines and when they are no longer commercially viable, many are abandoned or destroyed. Very few go to loving, adoptive new homes. Cruelty? You can bet on it!
Zoo or prison?
Ever noticed the similarity between a zoo and a prison? Those animals have not committed a crime, but will spend years, and sometimes their entire lives, behind bars. Enclosures, pens and cages deny animals the ability to roam at will and fulfil their instincts. They are often barren, cramped and a pathetic substitute for natural habitats. And aquaria are just underwater zoos, with tanks instead of cages.
Zoos do little to further the cause of 'conservation', despite using it as justification for their existence, because it is too complicated and expensive to release captive-bred animals into the wild. Instead, baby animals are sold to other zoos around the world, or euthanased. The only way to conserve wildlife is to protect natural habitats and the animals within them. Studying animals in captivity offers no insight into their natural behaviour - which can be much better experienced by watching a video filmed in the wild!
And do we even need to explain what's wrong with circuses?
Surely any decent person in the 21st century realises it's completely unethical to dress animals up in ridiculous costumes and force them to perform stunts in the name of entertainment.
