Are Animal Rights Activists Hypocrites?

I had a wonderful conversation with a good friend yesterday morning. We talked about the hypocrisy surrounding animal rights groups and animal lovers and supporters in general. Thought I’d share it with you all. I’ve hesitated to write this for fear of upsetting some but realized it’s the truth and must be addressed before it’s too late! I don’t mean to bring up any personal issues you may have but I’m just sharing our conversation (with his permission)

First of all What is CrocTalk?

At CrocTalk Zoo we promote Life rather than Death, Educational rather than Exploitation, we promote the Banning of Animal Skins and Furs rather than I Want One, the Best Health Care possible rather than Good Enough and we promote Healthy Diet rather than Anything Will Do. WE promote Good Mental Health rather than What’s That? Finally CrocTalk promotes a Stress Free Safe Environment rather than Who Cares! We are active daily providing these necessary services for all our animals.

What separates CrocTalk Zoo from some others? Government permits and licensing (MOE CAS Permit and our MFLNRO Zoo Permit, also RDCO Recognized Facility Status written into the City of Kelowna ByLaws)

CrocTalk Zoo is Qualified and has now registered as a Not for Profit Society…as I’ve always promised I would do.

The CrocTalk Zoo Society.

Now this:

According to Dictionary.com, a hypocrite is “a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess.”

So, when referring to those of us who support animal rights, does this mean one is a hypocrite that can choose what animal has that “right to life” and what other animal doesn’t? Does that animal not have the same rights as the other? To live a safe comforted life in a loving home (if domestic) or a reptile to be cared for lovingly in a captive home or prohibited reptiles kept in professional and licensed zoos?

Just saying…

Because an animal has soft fur, floppy ears, sleeps on your bed, sits on your lap or gets your slippers does that animal have more rights to live a satisfying and protected life any more than an animal that has scales or hard smooth skin or hide? Like maybe crocodilians including alligators, crocodiles or caimans or even other species of reptiles?

Question:

Why do animal rights lovers/supporter’s in Kelowna for example, only financially donate to their local shelters, who do wonderful work, by the way, rescuing dogs, cats, bunnies, birds and are lucky enough to be able to adopt them back into the community through good homes?

Why is it that these individuals don’t care to financially support to their local (licensed by the province) zoo that does the same thing?

Are these good people examples of hypocrite’s when only supporting animals they only prefer to support because of attractability or they don’t approve of animals in captivity?

How can one say they love and support all animals and protect the rights of all animals yet only financially support facilities that rescue dogs, cats, bunnies, and maybe some horses form time to time and will not support their local zoo that focuses on rescuing crocodilians that are beaten, starved, and kept in grow opps, drug houses and incredibly abusive environments? Do these animals not deserve the same support as a dog or cat rescue facility? Does this mean people who support one but never the other are examples of being hypocrites? Do they still have the right to call themselves supporters of animal rights when only certain species are important to them? We all have to right to support whoever we wish to support I realize but then don’t call yourselves “animal rights activists” if you don’t financially support all rescue facilities that do wonderful work on behalf of their animals rights. It’s a tough job maintaining housing and good captive care for all animals in captivity and very very expensive. We all want to be part of the solution and not be part of the problem I know. But denying the captive rights of some species while only supporting the facilities that don’t even need the help is being a hypocrite regardless of whether or not they are warm and fuzzy compared to cold blooded and dangerous.

Rescued crocodilians also deserve a good life free from starvation, neglect, bodies used as ashtrays, physical abuse and kept in horrendous environments. Remember these animals in particular cannot be adopted to good homes because they are illegal. Also many cannot be put into the wild as many suggest because of the fact they are born in captivity and have extenuating health issues. Their life expectancy would be cut very short.

Question, often asked is “why do you rescue them here in Kelowna? Crocodiles, alligators don’t live here!” Zoos and aquariums are filled with animals, that are not indigenous to that zoo’s geographical location such as these and thus used as educational tools to educate the public of their incredible capabilities regarding purpose and biology. Many animals, most patrons would never see or experience again in their lifetime expect to gain knowledge from a zoo or aquarium. Remember education starts at home and zoos are a great tool if you are one of the few fortunate enough in having a zoo in your community. They must be supported to succeed in the wonderful work that all licensed zoos and aquariums do….just my thought