Animal Rights

Hi everyone

I am an animal rights activist from New Zealand. I have recently arrived in Taipei, and will probably (hopefully) find work at a junior or high school and settle here, for a year at least.

I am quite active in animal rights in NZ, but not really interested in animals on a personal note, so while I am pleased to see the problem of stray cats and dogs being dealt to with so much dedication, I have no interest in it myself.

I align myself best with PeTA and/or the grassroots movement. I have seen some anti-fur stickers (more annarchisty than PeTA style) around NTU. Does anyone know if any such group exists, or are there any people similar here in Taipei. I would love to find the people who do the stickers, or anyone else similar.

I have found a discussion about peta and animal rights, but no mention of any action here at all. I’d appreciate any help or suggestions anyone could make.

Thanks
Jesse

[quote]I am quite active in animal rights in NZ, but not really interested in animals on a personal note, so while I am pleased to see the problem of stray cats and dogs being dealt to with so much dedication, I have no interest in it myself.
[/quote]
So Jesse…did you declare political activism as your reason for coming to the island?

I sense a great confusion in the cosmos…

Shouldn’t this thread be moved to IP?

Hi Jesse,
I’m a kiwi living in Jiayi (Southern Taiwan). I would advise taking things slowly. You should concentrate on settling in here before getting involved in any activism. More importantly, you’ll need to learn about the local culture and environmental scene here before you open your mouth. There are a few foreigners involved with various wildlife / pet projects and the last thing they need is hardcore new arrivals upsetting things.
Of course, if you’re just interested in chatting with likeminded folk, that wouldn’t be a prob.

John

[quote=“JesseD”]Hi everyone

I am an animal rights activist from New Zealand. I have recently arrived in Taipei, and will probably (hopefully) find work at a junior or high school and settle here, for a year at least.

I am quite active in animal rights in NZ, but not really interested in animals on a personal note, so while I am pleased to see the problem of stray cats and dogs being dealt to with so much dedication, I have no interest in it myself.

I align myself best with PeTA and/or the grassroots movement. I have seen some anti-fur stickers (more annarchisty than PeTA style) around NTU. Does anyone know if any such group exists, or are there any people similar here in Taipei. I would love to find the people who do the stickers, or anyone else similar.

I have found a discussion about peta and animal rights, but no mention of any action here at all. I’d appreciate any help or suggestions anyone could make.

Thanks
Jesse[/quote]

Hi, Jesse.

You should definitely hook up with these people: http://www.east.org.tw/. They do a lot of great work promoting animal rights and animal welfare. They’re based in Muzha, in the south-east of Taipei.

I personally support the animal-rights movement in principle, but Animals Taiwan, the organization I help run, is more an animal-welfare/animal-rescue group. If you have any ideas on how we can promote the welfare of animals here, I am always happy to hear them.

Also, I agree with almas john that you might want to spend a little time learning about the culture and philosophies here if for no other reason than to ensure your actions have maximum effect and to avoid any frustration on your part. I would also strongly recommend keeping your activities legal, for your own sake more than anything else.

Good luck with this.

Sean

[quote=“JesseD”]Hi everyone

I am an animal rights activist from New Zealand. I have recently arrived in Taipei, and will probably (hopefully) find work at a junior or high school and settle here, for a year at least.

I am quite active in animal rights in NZ, but not really interested in animals on a personal note, so while I am pleased to see the problem of stray cats and dogs being dealt to with so much dedication, I have no interest in it myself.

I align myself best with PeTA and/or the grassroots movement. I have seen some anti-fur stickers (more annarchisty than PeTA style) around NTU. Does anyone know if any such group exists, or are there any people similar here in Taipei. I would love to find the people who do the stickers, or anyone else similar.

I have found a discussion about peta and animal rights, but no mention of any action here at all. I’d appreciate any help or suggestions anyone could make.

Thanks
Jesse[/quote]

Can you tell us a bit about your work in NZ?

Being an activist often means to simply speak your mind about animal rights. Or to take off your clothes. :nsfw: :wink:

On a more serious note, some of us are more involved with rescuing, re-homing, re-uniting and rehabilitating animals, but we also speak our minds a lot about animal rights.

Best of luck.

jesse, no offense, but you came to the wrong forum

I noticed on a trip to Vietnam that in fact there aren’t any stray dogs or cats. Should the reason for this become apparent to any shrewd entrepreneur in Taiwan, no doubt the problem here will be solved faster than you can say “Free one-way passage for stray animals in Taiwan for a site seeing tour of famous Vietnamese restaurants!”

From the Animals Taiwan website:

[quote]Become an activist!

Animal welfare is an issue that can help our planet survive in these difficult times. By finding their compassion for animals, people learn the true importance of life. This breeds respect for the environment, for open discourse, and for each other. If you are interested in activism, you may wish to contact our Networking Coordinator at this email: inquiries@animalstaiwan.org

There are, of course, many established groups campaigning for animal rights, and you may wish to support their campaigns, or help Animals Taiwan support them. Here is a small selection of campaign banner links you may like to visit.[/quote](Click on the above link to see the banners.)

[quote=“lurkky”]jesse, no offense, but you came to the wrong forum[/quote]No point in having activists if everyone was to support the plight at hand…

We, at Pet Crusaders, have an open door policy. All are welcome join us in our efforts to tell the world that animals have rights worthy of our considerations. :slight_smile:

Hi everyone

Thanks for your responses and help.

I had actually already found this webiste: www.east.org.tw but had been unable to read it, so will ask a local friend to help me there.

I wasn’t asking for or suggesting any radicacal action be done by myself or anyone, and I certainly don’t do anything illegal! (very bad idea in a foreign country I should imagine!) I don’t take my clothes off either, though I’ve met good PeTA people who do, and are very successful as a result.

I also fully respect the work AnimalsTaiwan does, but as I am not an “animal person” myself have little interest in it, but hope to come to some events soon. I appreciate the advice to take things slowly and come to understand the political culture here first.

As much as anything I was hoping to meet like minded people, espeically anyone who has been an animal rights activist in their home countries in the past.

Thanks
Jesse

I protested a few times, but mostly did animal welfare/rescue.

Can I ask why you say you’re not an ‘animal person’ but are very much into animal rights?

because it’s a philosophical point of view.

[quote=“Stray Dog”]I protested a few times, but mostly did animal welfare/rescue.

Can I ask why you say you’re not an ‘animal person’ but are very much into animal rights?[/quote]

If ye will face madness, do not cower nor speaketh, for madness craveth both fear and reason.

In other words, don’t try reasoning with crazy.

Why am I into animal rights but not an “animal person”?

Lurkky said it all (thanks). Just thought I’d expand on it a few more sentences.

Perhaps I should have said not an animal lover. I feel little affection towards animals so have no interest in having “pets”.

But I believe, philosophically, that animals have basic rights. And I can see that animals in factor farms and laboratories suffer immensly, and that this is wrong. Therefore I feel morally compelled to do something about it.

Being from a philosophical point of view, I consider it important to measure up who I can help the most and who needs it the most. In my opinion, animals in farms and labs need it the most, and “pet” animals (whether neglected or not) need it the least.

Of course I still think that work done helping abandoned pets, and especially spaying and neutering, is important, but I have little interest in doing it myself. But I would be keen to come to some events, if only to meet more like minded people.

Hope this explained it more.

Thanks
Jesse

[quote=“JesseD”]Being from a philosophical point of view, I consider it important to measure up who I can help the most and who needs it the most. In my opinion, animals in farms and labs need it the most, and “pet” animals (whether neglected or not) need it the least. [/quote]The above is somewhat compelling. I’m not sure that the needs of animals can be equated/quantified like that.

The way I look at it, any help our animal friends can receive, is equally important, equally needed, equally essential, equally worthy. Besides, animals do not have vanity, or pride; they’ll never refuse our help in any form or shape. And if you think you can help them in this way,(and you can!) then it’s great, and I wish you the best with a tip of the hat. :wink:

[quote=“JesseD”]Why am I into animal rights but not an “animal person”?

Lurkky said it all (thanks). Just thought I’d expand on it a few more sentences.

Perhaps I should have said not an animal lover. I feel little affection towards animals so have no interest in having “pets”.

But I believe, philosophically, that animals have basic rights. And I can see that animals in factor farms and laboratories suffer immensly, and that this is wrong. Therefore I feel morally compelled to do something about it.

Being from a philosophical point of view, I consider it important to measure up who I can help the most and who needs it the most. In my opinion, animals in farms and labs need it the most, and “pet” animals (whether neglected or not) need it the least.

Of course I still think that work done helping abandoned pets, and especially spaying and neutering, is important, but I have little interest in doing it myself. But I would be keen to come to some events, if only to meet more like minded people.

Hope this explained it more.

Thanks
Jesse[/quote]
Hi Jesse,
Welcome to Taiwan.
How is Peta’s exterminate the American pit bull terrier campaign coming along ? (and the no one should own a Pit Bull. Rottweiler, Doberman or German Shepherd) ?
I remember seeing all those pit bull puppies in a tied plastic bag that PETA dumped to die slowly on that garbage tip. I hear this all started after your president Ingrid Newkirk was kissing a re-homed pit bull and it got mad with all her kissing and bit her. Now she wants all big dogs killed. She really hates pitbulls some might say it is her personal vendetta after getting her kisses rejected. In fact any pit bull type puppies that come into PETA’s hands are killed. Some animal lovers you lot are :bravo:
According to the Wally Swett, President of Primarily Primates, PETA killed 1,946 pets in its home state of Virginia in 2005, transferring or adopting out 215, and killed 141 wild animals in the same year, transferring or releasing. In 2004, PETA killed 2278 animals while finding homes for 368 animals.
Perhaps you guys could help out with the dog crap problem in Taiwan, as you are very efficient dog killers. :bravo:
You don’t wear leather belts but are prepared to kill 2278 animals. WOW i think i will carry on eating big macs. :wink:

Thank you. Your post was indeed welcoming :slight_smile:

I am sorry that you think so badly of PeTA. While the incident you mentioned was unfortunate, can I first suggest you look at the big picture of what PeTA do, such as exposing extreme cruelty to animals in the USA and abroad (eg. Covance vivisection, KFC suppliers to chickens etc) and producing information so people can make informed decisions about whether to consume animal flesh and other animal-derived products.

As for PeTA killing dogs, you must remember that people the world over (and especially the USA) breed far more dogs (and other “pets”) than they can care for, so it is inevitable that many will either have to be euthanised or end up having a miserable life roaming the streets hungry. PeTA campaign hard to have dogs and cats spayed/neutered, to minimise this problem. However since not everyone does, and most shelters refuse to face up to this problem and turn away animals once they are “full”, PeTA pick up the unpleasant and unfortunate role of “euthanising” all these unwanted animals.

While I am not American myself, I have done an internship with PeTA and was very impressed with what I saw. So while you eat your Big Mac, I hope I can meet other likeminded people who care about the rights and welfare of ALL animals, such as the PeTA staff I met last year.

The few wild animals left up where my parents live are still paying for the wonderful PETA pricks who broke into a fur farm a few years ago and released a few hundred mink. The few that didn’t get hit by cars bred very successfully and have decimated local wildlife populations. Needless to say the stalwarts form PETA have done absolutely nothing to help clean up their mess. They no longer dare to protest in that area of the UK, though.
Ethical treatment of Animals? Yeah, riiiight. PETA to me is a very fine example of the dangers of “a little knowledge.”
I think it’s great that you’re against factory farming and all that but PETA does far more harm than good, I think.

That’s likely a few idiots who claimed to be doing that on behalf of PETA. I doubt that PETA would actually decide to do that. If they did, I suppose they’d have a lot of fur farms, and other farms to break into illegally.

Hi Sandman

PeTA do not carry out such liberations themselves. I do not know whether PeTA have an official policy on it, so cannot speak for them there. But while I don’t do them myself, I outrightly support it, so let me ask you a few things?

  1. If they were people, (slaves, only a century or two ago), would you support liberating them, even if it caused some inconvenience (or even possible death) for neighbouring “free” people?

  2. If you had been alive during times of slavery, would you have supported liberating them?

  3. If yes to either of them, can you say what it is about the animals which makes them less deserving, or less in need, of liberation?

I see keeping animals in cages as a form of slavery, so look on their liberators the way I look on the heros who liberated slaves from southern USA in the past. Again I do not know if this is PeTA’s take on the issue.

Jesse