PETA India:: Activism

PRACTICE WHAT YOU (ARE GOING TO) PREACH

The best way to persuade others to adopt humane lifestyles is to set a good example. Becoming a vegetarian is an excellent first step; or better yet, adopt a vegan lifestyle. While a vegetarian eats no meat, a vegan also eats no eggs or dairy products, wears no animal products such as leather or wool, and uses only cruelty-free products (products that do not contain animal ingredients and that are manufactured by companies that do not use live animals for testing). PETA can send you a partial list of companies that sell cruelty-free household products, toiletries, cosmetics and can guide you.

Many wonderful vegan cookbooks are available and vegetarian recipes can easily be modified and be made vegan. Click here for healthy vegan recipes. Please contact PETA for additional recipes or for help.

You might not get rid of your leather shoes or the leather belt you received for your birthday right away. But start shopping for canvas, fabric, or vinyl instead, and gently remind your friends and relatives of your preferences. The switch to a cruelty-free lifestyle is often made in small steps, but it is important to begin taking those steps.

DRESSING THE PART

Remember, when you’re presenting an animal rights point of view, your appearance and actions must reflect your concern. If you’re discussing inhumane transport while munching on a chicken sandwich or picketing a leather store with leather shoes on your feet, others may dismiss you as a hypocrite. Skeptics are quick to notice and take advantage of inconsistencies.

Dress neatly. Society has many prejudices, and, despite the old adage, people do judge a book by its cover. By adapting your dress to the style of your audience, you’re saying, “I’m like you. You can understand what I’m saying.” Rather than being distracted by your appearance, people will hear your message.

LET'S GET REALISTIC

Think realistically about how you’re going to fit activism into your life. You may have a full-time job and may have to juggle time with family and friends. Can you plan your schedule or transfer some duties to a coworker, spouse, or someone else to allow yourself time to focus on animal rights activities?

Maybe you can incorporate some animal rights work into the religious, office, family, or political activities you’re already involved in. For example, you can show a film regarding the plight of animals to your religious group or support only those political candidates who will champion humane legislation.

You do not want to overextend yourself in a blaze of glory, only to burn out in six months. Think carefully about how you’re going to schedule activism into your daily routine so that it will become a part of your life and not an intrusion.

CHOOSE YOUR ISSUES

As you read and learn more about animal rights issues, start choosing the ones that mean the most to you. Animal abuse is so widespread you cannot possibly address all of it. PETA concerns itself primarily with projects that will help the greatest number of animals, such as those involving animals transported and slaughtered for food or used in laboratories, or that will help change the fundamental attitudes of large numbers of people. In specific cruelty cases, your local animal welfare/humane society can be a good resource for individual placement of animals.

GETTING AN EDUCATION

You do not need to “know it all” to start getting active, but before you can educate others effectively you need to know some basic facts.

We highly recommend Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation as a basic primer on animal rights. We also recommend the following books. If you cannot find these books in your local bookstore or library, contact PETA. We may be able to help you.

To learn how to obtain books written by Minister Maneka Gandhi, contact People for Animals (PFA) and to learn how to obtain Beauty Without Cruelty’s (BWC’s) A Vegetarian Lifestyle, please contact BWC.

People For Animals,
14 Ashoka Road,
New Delhi - 110001,
INDIA,
Phone: + 91-11-23357088, 23355883,
(Monday to Saturday,10 AM to 6 PM IST Time),
Fax: + 91 - 11 – 23354321

BWC
4 Prince of Wales’ Drive
Wanowrie, Pune 411 040
Tel. 020-840-321
Fax. 020-840-312
Bwcindia@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in

Save the Animals, by PETA President Ingrid Newkirk — bursting with tips for activists, from investing in compassionate corporations to forming a neighborhood animal watch group and just about everything in between. Some stories and suggestions in this book will not suit India, but much of it will.

Free the Animals, by Ingrid Newkirk — the compelling inside story of the dedicated activists whose daring rescues exposed the abuse of animals in laboratories, as told to the author by the leader of the American Animal Liberation Front, “Valerie.”

Heads and Tails Volumes I and II by Minister and Animal Activist, Maneka Gandhi—In these books, Minister Gandhi suggests simple ways to combat exploitation and cruelty towards animals. These books recommend, in the process, a more humane and sustaining lifestyle. A major part of the 2nd volume is dedicated to telling the story of her battles against Idgah slaughter house in Delhi, the Deonar slaughter house in Mumbai and the Al-Kabeer slaughter house in Andhra Pradesh.

First Aid for Animals by Minister Maneka Gandhi and Gautam Grover--teaches practical ways in which to handle medical emergencies and accidents in which animals are injured.

What To Do When You See Cruelty by Minister Maneka Gandhi—an important booklet which in question and answer format educates the reader on what measures he/she can take when confronted by animal cruelty.

Helping Hand edited by Camellia Satija—a directory of animal welfare organisations in India. It lists individuals, organisations, departments, hospitals, and other important pieces of information that animal rights activists require in their animal welfare work.

Natural Way to Your Dog’s Health by Pooja Verma of People for Animals (PFA)—offers nutritional and other information on healthy vegetarian diets for dogs.

Beauty Without Cruelty’s A Vegetarian Lifestyle by Diana Ratnagar and Ranjit Konkar—this book is full of facts on cruelties inflicted on animals for food, entertainment, experimentation, and clothing discusses ways in which one can live free from the contribution of suffering. This book offers suggestions for alternatives to animal products.

The Power of Your Plate, by Neal Barnard, M.D. — a concise and fascinating guide to the tremendous impact food choices have on your health and your life.

Animal Factories, by Jim Mason and Peter Singer — an exposé of modern factory farming and how it affects the animals, the environment, and the world.

Diet for a New America, by John Robbins— a moving and well-documented book that describes the inhumane and unhealthy conditions under which animals are raised for food and shows how our health and ecological wellbeing are linked to the adoption of a vegan diet.

Animals’ Rights Considered in Relation to Social Progress, by Henry Salt — first published in 1892, this book provides an insightful look into our attitudes toward animals. Published by the International Society for Animal Rights, Clarks Summit, Pa., USA 1980.

The Extended Circle: A Commonplace Book of Animal Rights, edited by Jon Wynne-Tyson — a wonderful collection of humane writings that inspire and educate. Published by Centaur Press, Sussex, England, 1989.

PETA has factsheets on a variety of animal issues. Our library may also contain other useful information you’re looking for—just ask us!

Know your state and national anti-cruelty laws, which you can get from your local animal protection organisation or find in a law library. We also recommend Animal Laws of India by Minister Maneka Gandhi, Raj Panjwani and Ozair Husain. This book is a fairly comprehensive compilation of laws that apply to draught, domestic, wild, experimental, meat, performing and companion animals.

Finally, read through the “Frequently Asked Questions and Comments” on this site. Ask a friend to quiz you on tough questions so that you can think about the issues and prepare good answers.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR COMMUNITY

Become familiar with the people and facilities in your area. You’ll want to be able to make ethical recommendations to people who may come to you with questions in the future.

As you compile facts, resources, and other materials, set up a filing system to keep your information organised. File important or useful newspaper clippings according to the issues they concern. Keep the names and addresses of good veterinarians, shelters, low-cost spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue services by your telephone for easy reference.

NEWSPAPERS: Scan your local newspaper for stories involving animal issues. Save those that contain useful information. You may want to refer to the articles or contact the reporters at a later date.

SHELTERS: Visit the animal shelters in your area. Check the facilities provided for animals and find out how the animals are cared for and housed. How do the shelters insure that new homes are good? Do they refuse to release animals to laboratories? Are they overcrowded? Are the animals starved for attention? Do they seem withdrawn and depressed? If your local shelter provides inadequate care, what other options exist? (It’s important to understand the problems animal shelters face — many are overburdened with huge numbers of animals in poor condition and are able to find very few acceptable homes.)

If you find conditions at any of your local shelters unacceptable, contact PETA for information on how to improve the situation.

VETERINARIANS: Ask friends to recommend veterinarians, including emergency vets. Question your own veterinarian. Maintain a list of vets who are good diagnosticians, who will speak out on humane issues, who perform low-cost sterilisations, and who are supportive of animal rights. Chances are you’ll discover many vets do not support animal rights, but don’t give up on them! Try to educate them by encouraging them to read the literature you provide.