I’ve recently done some reading on animal rights\welfare groups, and I feel like I know less now, then I did when I started. Can someone help me out here? I’d like to know what the major animal rights\welfare organizations that operate in the US are, and what their deals are. Basically, I’m trying to figure out who is nutty, who’s conservative, and who strikes a good balance. And please… no Aristotelian nonsense.
I’m not sure that the general reputations of animal rights organizations are a matter of fact rather than opinion, but I’ll try to offer something approaching a factual answer for a few of the prominent groups from most radical to most moderate:
Animal Liberation Front (ALF): A loose organization of like-minded animal rights supporters who support and carry out criminal acts (typically arson or burglary) to “liberate” animals and prevent the destruction of habitat.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Animal rights organization. Believes in human-like rights for animals and all that implies. Focuses more on direct action (usually legal protest) and advertisement than lobbying. Somewhat radical. Possible ties to arsonists and other property-damagers. Intentionally makes controversial statements to gain publicity.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Animal welfare organization primarily, but some argue they verge into animal rights. Not to be confused with local humane societies. Primarily a lobbying organization. Falls somewhere between PETA and ASPCA in terms of controversy.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Older than god. Pretty moderate. Definitely a welfare organization rather than a rights organization. Active and successful at lobbying. Not a lot of direct action.