The subject of the humane treatment of animals is not an easy one. As hunters, anglers, conservationists, farmers and pet owners we like to think that we instinctively know which interactions with animals are humane and okay, and which are not. And when someone questions our actions or intentions we often tend to get irritated and defensive. The epithets like “bunny hugger” or “animal rights brigade” get thrown.
The subject, however, is neither simple nor intuitive if you examine it more closely. In his book “Treated Like Animals: Improving The Lives of The Creatures We Own, Eat and Use”, Alick Simmons, a veterinarian and naturalist, employs his lifetime experience in public service to get us deep into ethical and practical aspects of animal exploitation.
If you enjoy this conversation and are interested in animal welfare you should definitely buy Alick’s book using the link provided below. That way you also support my podcast as I get a small commission from each purchase.
You don’t have to be an animal rights activist to take an interest in how we treat other creatures. All of us are complicit because all of us, with few exceptions, use animals in some way. How we define ‘use’ or exploitation should be broad: everything from enjoying a steak or poached eggs, to riding a horse, to keeping a cat as a pet. Animal use is so deeply engrained in our daily lives that we barely notice it.
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