As people from diverse religious
traditions, we are united in our belief that animals have intrinsic value as
part of God’s creation and are entitled to live lives free of cruelty and exploitation.
We therefore invite and encourage people of all faiths to speak with one voice
on behalf of those who cannot speak in an effort that will define our legacy as
stewards of God’s creation.
In a world
of increasing violence towards others, ourselves, and our environment, we
believe it is essential to reclaim and recover a commitment of compassion for
all of life. We believe that a commitment to compassion begins with the most
vulnerable among us, which includes animals. Therefore,
We Proclaim:
that creation is a gift of love;
that creation is a gift to be celebrated,
honored, and enjoyed;
that we have
been especially entrusted by God to care for this creation;
that as an
integral part of creation, farm, wild, and domesticated animals depend upon us,
both directly and indirectly, for their welfare;
that as
heirs of their respective traditions, religious communities bear a special
responsibility for the welfare of these animals;
and that as
ambassadors of compassion, religious communities should extend compassion not
only to the human family, but to animals and to all of creation.
As concerned
people of faith and in response to these proclamations, we make the following
five calls to action in five arenas that directly impact the quality of
animals' lives: Pet Overpopulation and the Plight of Homeless Pets; the Meat
and Fur Industries; Animals in Sports and Entertainment; Medical Research and
Experimentation on Animals; and Wildlife Preservation and Protection.
I. Whereas
millions of animals are killed each year and many more are left homeless due to
a) aggressive for-profit breeding
programs that add to an already massive pet overpopulation crisis, b) the reluctance or unwillingness on
the part of some pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, and c) “No Pets” restrictions in common
interest housing areas such as apartments and condominiums;
We therefore call upon all people of faith
to promote legislation and educational programs designed to prevent further
animal cruelty, abuse, and overpopulation; spay or neuter all pets; adopt
animals from shelters rather than purchase them from breeders or pet stores;
and advocate for more inclusive policies in all common interest housing
agreements.
II.
Whereas the
increasing commercialization and commoditization of animals for the purpose of
human consumption and comfort causes untold suffering upon animals each year in
factory farms, the commercial fishing industry, and the fur-trade;
We therefore call upon all people of faith
to make conscientious food and clothing choices by reducing meat consumption
and refusing to wear fur; buy from local farms that implement humane practices;
and actively support all local, regional, and national businesses,
organizations, and causes that promote and encourage the humane treatment of
animals.
III. Whereas
tens of thousands of animals are exploited each year in various sporting
and entertainment venues for the purpose of providing entertainment, amusement
and, in some cases, profit, and who are then often disposed of or abandoned
when they fail to adequately entertain, amuse, or provide sufficient financial
gain;
We therefore call upon all people of faith
to reject any form of entertainment that harms and/or exploits animals and,
instead, to choose venues that benefit animals and provide opportunities for
education and animal protection.
IV. Whereas thousands of animals continue to be bred
for and used in medical and commercial research and experimentation, often for
dubious and medically unnecessary reasons and which, in many cases, cause pain,
anguish, and suffering, often in spite of alternative methods that have been
scientifically proven to be as effective or more humane;
We therefore call upon all people of faith
to contact their elected leaders to request their support and/or sponsorship of
legislation that demands an end to medically unnecessary animal testing and
commercial animal research that cause undue pain and suffering; to promote
efforts that seek to find alternative methods to animal testing and research;
and to educate themselves and others regarding current methods and practices in
order to increase awareness of the deplorable conditions that continue to exist
for countless animals.
V. Whereas urban expansion and over-aggressive
land development continue to encroach upon wildlife populations and habitat and
many species are being threatened or completely destroyed as a result;
We therefore call upon all people of faith
to refrain from consuming or purchasing any threatened species and to boycott
companies that profit from wildlife eradication and environmentally
unsustainable deforestation.
As leaders
of different religious and faith traditions, we recognize the unique
opportunity we have been given to effect profound and lasting change for the
sake of animals. As stewards of God’s creation, we accept and embrace our duty,
responsibility, and moral obligation to both protect the lives of animals and
assure that those lives reflect the respect and dignity they are to be afforded
as part of God’s creation. We therefore invite all people of faith, under the
guidance of their various faith traditions, to take up the mantle of compassion
towards all of life and recognize that, as human beings, we are only part of
God’s creation and cannot presume to be all that matters in it. Indeed, because
animals are an inextricable part of our social and natural environments, we therefore affirm that any lasting effort for
change on any level will only be complete insofar as it pays attention to and
advocates for animals and their well-being. Finally, we call upon religious
leaders of all traditions to honor and encourage those in their faith
communities who make compassionate food and clothing choices and who work for
the benefit of animals.