People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): History, Achievements, and Challenges

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Animal Protection
Introduction
Animal welfare attracts various opinions and views in the United States and around the world owing to the equally diverse interactions between human beings and animals across the social and economic sectors. The political wing of the global society functions to maintain a healthy balance in the perceived mutual relationship through the enactment and implementation of animal protection policies. Like human beings, animals also have the right to live their natural lives without any form of induced pain or suffering and exploitation by the advanced human species. It is evident that the animals do not have the ability to express or convey their feelings or reactions to unfair treatment except for their distinct sounds which can be interpreted for a wide range of meanings. Nevertheless, these animals have the capacity to express maternal love to their offspring as well as feel lonely, pain, pleasure, and frustration. Despite having the inherent capabilities, animals have an added value to the lives of human beings owing to their numerous benefits. The social justice issue arises from the conflict between conservative approach to people’s relationship with animals and the animal rights advocates. The former insists on upholding the traditional perspective of animals serving the sole purpose of meeting the diverse human needs such as movement, companionship, and food. Proponents of animal rights argue from a point of knowledge that these animals have rights that should be upheld for a more stable and healthier society.
Origin of Animal Protection in the United States
Animal protection in the United States started with the European settlers long ago before the country fought and got independence from the foreigners. Animal rights activism in the U. S. grew and developed alongside with the nation. It has since overcome various challenges and refinements to what it has become today. The pioneers of animal protection activism, however, advocated for euthanasia as the appropriate way of ending animal suffering, which contradicts the opinion of today’s activist who believe in caring for the animal until it reaches its last breath CITATION Dav19 \l 1033 (Davis). The use of animal for labor was an accepted norm among the early protectionists as they believed in the biblical teachings of the human-animal relationship CITATION Dav19 \l 1033 (Davis). The nation’s transition over the years served to improve the animal protection initiatives as people developed more informed perspectives on the suffering inflicted on the animals. In 1641, for instance, the colonial government of Massachusetts through established a set of legal protections for animals through a court ruling barring the cruel treatment of domestic animals CITATION Dav19 \l 1033 (Davis). The Puritan movement and religious beliefs were of great influence in reaching the court decisions as it reflected the Purists’ reformist ideologies CITATION Dav19 \l 1033 (Davis). The fight against slavery through the abolitionist movements further influenced the enhancement of the animal protection initiatives as slaveholders were associated with the mistreatment of animals under their ...