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Photo: Farmed animal sanctuary resident Whitney and NhRP Digital Director Kelly Holt
Today is Human Rights Day, marking the 77th anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This historic document is grounded in the belief that all people possess inherent dignity and equal worth and therefore are entitled to fundamental freedoms and protections. Since 1998, Animal Rights Day has also been observed on December 10th to emphasize that the pursuit of dignity, rights, and justice shouldn’t stop with human beings. As the only organization in the US dedicated solely to securing legal rights for nonhuman animals, we’re committed to building a more just world for all. Below, we’re honored to share words of support for our mission and work from individuals whose stories reflect this commitment.
Today, all new $25-a-month recurring donations will be matched for all of next year thanks to a generous NhRP donor. Become a monthly donor or make a one-time year-end gift here [[link removed]] .
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“I have had a deep respect and love for all animals for as long as I can remember. Animals are not destroying the Earth and the atmosphere like humans are. They just want to live in peace.” – Joan L., Pennsylvania
“Some of my fondest memories as a child are seeing my dad in front of the TV watching animal (mostly wildlife) documentaries. The pleasure and joy he received from doing this is something that has stayed with me my whole life. I credit him for teaching me that all living things on Earth are here for a reason and are to be respected and admired. What a beautiful gift to give to your child! No one knows how we got to this Earth and why we are here, so what makes one living creature better than another? Treating all creatures with dignity and respect are traits we should all embrace. That is why I am thankful to be a supporter of the NhRP.” – Rita A., Virginia
“We are not the only intelligent life forms on this planet, but we are nowhere near as intelligent as we think we are. Clever, yes. Wise enough to be worthy of subjugating all other life forms? No way.” Jim W., Oregon
“I can’t imagine a world where there is no kindness towards animals and no one to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. I love all animals, and my wish would be to abolish all zoos. I could never sit by and not do something; that’s why I am a recurring donor. The NhRP champions this cause and gives a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves!” – Virginia W., New Hampshire
“When I was a kid in the 1950s my parents gave me a good luck charm that was a rabbit’s foot. At some point as I got older, I realized it was an actual rabbit’s foot and I was horrified. I loved the dogs we had; why would a living rabbit not also have feelings as a sentient being? I’ve always felt a kinship with animals. Elephants became special to me: the way the mothers formed a community to care for the little ones. I was fascinated by the humpback whales with their calves during a spring trip to Maui. I was in my 20s in the 1970s; this is when I began my journey becoming vegetarian. I haven’t always maintained a strictness about it, yet now in my 70s, as I become aware of the hell the lives of cows and pigs have, I am verging on veganism. Once you know, it’s hard to unsee the harm of farmed animals. I wish there was a farm sanctuary near me; I’d volunteer! This sentient connection with animals on our planet led me to donate to the Nonhuman Rights Project. Their philosophy gets down to the basics: don’t animals have rights, too? I certainly believe so!” – Karen B., Ohio
“I admire the work you do and the way you fight for the voiceless and defenseless!” – Maria S., New York
“I became passionate with animal rights because of my dog. He completely changed my perspective on animals. I have always respected them, but now I want to do what I can to protect them. All animals are special creations who deserve our respect. My biggest wish is for animal cruelty to end. I wish we could live in a world where we can co-exist without the need to capture them and take them out of their habitat.” – Karina S., California
“I worked at a shelter in Fort Worth for 15 years, and was supervisor for nine. We received 300 to 500 animals DAILY! This is not a misprint. We turned no one away, as we knew they would just dump them on the street. Seeing the pain and suffering of dogs confiscated in cruelty cases as well as the ones not taken care of and then dropped off by owners was enough to make my blood boil. I have seen things done to animals that can not be unseen.” – Deborah K., Texas
“I am an artist who creates miniatures. I had an idea that I wanted to create a miniature that would depict the grandeur of circuses and circus life. I soon discovered how horrible animals, particularly elephants, were treated in the circus environments. From this realization, I grew to be extremely interested and fond of all elephants. I have discovered how very intelligent they are and the importance of them as a species. Most importantly, I came to realize that it is their birth-given right to live a life of freedom, to simply be elephants.” – Wendy J., Arizona
“The horror of animals confined in research labs is indescribable. The pain, isolation from their family members, and loneliness are beyond cruel. I do see that research labs are ‘trying’ to eliminate testing procedures on animals but what is taking so long? Gratitude goes to the organizations who step up for these poor animals and return them to sanctuaries where they can live safely without further interference from humans and live with their groups as nature intended.” – Nancy W., Texas
“I support the Nonhuman Rights Project because this planet needs animals free, wild, and protected. This is their planet, too! I love supporting this work, the folks who speak for animals. I am grateful and pray that zoos, circuses, and all animal imprisonment will one day be things of the past!” – Tracey J., North Carolina
“My cats have taught me that we have much in common. We are all born from our mothers and have common needs for food, rest, and affection. The cat I live with now has shown me that she is a complex person and that we can share a language: not English or French, but her language.” – Marcia C., Florida
“Since I was very young growing up in Texas, being supported by my parents along the way, I have always felt a strong kinship with all animals. Humans must stop being so vile towards animals and must realize we are all in the same boat together.” – Richard W., Montana
“My family had a pet dog, Nicky. We were military and gave her away because we were moving overseas to Guam and didn’t want to put her through that, but the torment of giving her away and then finding out that she was just as upset, we knew she was family. My parents jumped through hoops hours before we departed to get her approved to travel with us. And she did! She had to spend three months quarantined but we visited her EVERY DAY. Guam was a tough place to live and she saved me in more ways I could imagine. Nicky is the reason why I LOVE and respect ALL animals. I connect better with them than people. Nicky, thank you, rest in peace my sweet girl.” – Becky R., Maryland
“What drives my support of your wonderful organization is simple. I don’t believe that human beings are superior to other mammals. I believe that mammals like elephants and apes, who are intelligent and possess emotions very similar to humans, deserve to have the rights that human beings take for granted. Remember, at one time Black Americans were not given any rights. They were enslaved. Women were considered the property of men. And now, animals are being treated like property, not like the majestic beings they are. Just because they are not human doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the same rights that we take for granted. They may not be familiar with the legal system, but they are certainly more than “property,” or spectacles to be used and abused for entertainment, experimentation, and other horrors.” That’s why I support the NhRP.” – Gloria F., Minnesota
The animal rights movement is made up of individuals from around the world each of whom has had their own path to animal rights. That’s why stories from NhRP supporters are at the heart of what we do. Thank you to everyone who’s shared their story with us. We’ll share additional story submission invites and additional NhRP stories in future NhRP communications.
P.S. This month we’ll be sending out more emails than usual as part of our end-of-year fundraising campaign. It’s important to us to allow you to choose what kinds of emails you’d like to receive while this campaign is ongoing. Make your selections here [[link removed]] .
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The NhRP is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation (Tax ID #: 04-3289466). It is solely through your donations that we can continue to work for the recognition and protection of fundamental rights for nonhuman animals.
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