Blog

20 de diciembre de 2023

Animal Rights: Outstanding Issues and Achieved Milestones

December is a very important month for animals because the 10th marks International Animal Rights Day. It is a very symbolic date, as this celebration aims to denounce the "hypocrisy" associated with the lack of recognition of fundamental animal rights, such as the right to life, freedom, and a happy and natural development.

The purpose of the day is to foster public dialogue about the treatment of animals and achieve international recognition of their fundamental rights, including the prohibition of exploitation. This affects both domestic and wild animals, as well as those raised for farming.

Thanks to societal progress and, in part, the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights, we have achieved significant milestones such as the prohibition of certain animal shows, the enactment of laws against mistreatment and abandonment, and the establishment of more rigorous regulations regarding animal welfare in farms, transportation, and slaughterhouses.

This declaration promotes respect for animals, the essence of which is summarized in preserving their lives by meeting their vital needs, avoiding unjustified sacrifices, and preventing mistreatment for the purposes of pleasure, entertainment, or research. Furthermore, it advocates for preserving the freedom of wild animals and caring for companion animals without abandoning them.

Societal Awareness

It is very important to educate society about animals, especially on these dates. Now more than ever, it must be remembered that they are not toys and deserve to be respected and treated with dignity, rather than being used as gifts. Education involves teaching, from childhood, to observe, understand, respect, and love animals.

The Universal Declaration of Animal Rights consists, in addition to 14 articles, of a preamble that considers that every animal possesses rights, and that the ignorance and contempt of these rights have led and continue to lead humans to commit crimes against nature and against animals.

  • Article 1: All animals have the same right to live and to exist.
  • Article 2: All animals have the right to be respected. Animals have the right to be cared for and protected.
  • Article 3: No animal shall be mistreated or subjected to any cruel act.
  • Article 4: Wild animals have the right to live freely and to reproduce in their natural habitat, both on land, in water, and in the air.
  • Article 5: Animals living in the human environment have the right to live in conditions of life and freedom appropriate to their species.
  • Article 6: Abandonment is an act of cruelty.
  • Article 7: Working animals have the right to rest for the necessary time and not to work longer or with a greater intensity than their capacities allow.
  • Article 8: Any type of experimentation that causes physical or psychological suffering to the animal violates its rights.
  • Article 9: Animals intended for human consumption must be fed, housed, transported, and slaughtered without suffering or pain.
  • Article 10: No animal may be exploited for the entertainment and amusement of humans.
  • Article 11: Any act involving the unnecessary death of an animal is considered a crime against life (biocide).
  • Article 12: Any act involving the death of a large number of wild animals is considered a crime against the species (genocide).
  • Article 13: The body of a deceased animal must be treated with respect.
  • Article 14: Animal protection and safeguarding organizations must be represented at the governmental level. Animal rights must be defended by law just like human rights.

From IVeM, we would like to remind you that compassion and respect for all forms of life are not just ideals, but commitments we must adopt. Every action counts, and together we can build a world where every living being has the dignity and well-being they deserve.

Artículos relacionados

Copyright © Instituto Veterinario Mediterráneo. All rights reserved.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.