Rabbits immobilized in wooden stocks with ulcers in their .
eyes; baby seals being clubbed over the head, and the infamous shock .
treatment. Broach the subject with an individual and odds are that .
they have witnessed footage of one or all of the aforementioned .
practices and are appalled by the cruelty. Appalled yes, willing to .
stand up and voice their thoughts. not often. There is one .
significant reason for this unwillingness by some to stand up for the .
rights of our fellow inhabitants of this planet, personal convenience. .
We are systematically cutting down the last forest that provides their .
shelter to farm cattle; we dump toxic chemicals and sewage into the .
waters in which they live; we wear the tusks of the last few of their .
species on our arms, and we pour cosmetic products into their eyes, .
rectums or vaginas to determine the harmful effects they might cause .
on humans, even though the physiological differentiation between .
humans and the animals they use is durastic. On a daily basis most .
people do not see their own degree of unintentional support towards .
this global dilemma, but when compiled on paper one must question how .
mankind can, with conscience, commit these acts which shame us as .
human beings. Animals possess the same kinds of feelings and emotions .
as human beings, and without anesthesia, they are subjected to the .
pain as well. Mankind often fails to give animals the respect and .
rights they deserve, they are treated as lifeless, unfeeling .
scientific specimens and items that we may manipulate at our own .
convenience and for vanity's sake.
Laboratory research involving animals is cruel and merciless .
treatment of helpless creatures. No law requires that cosmetics and .
household products be tested on animals. Nevertheless, by six o'clock .
this evening, hundreds of animals will have had their eyes, skin or .
gastrointestinal systems unnecessarily burned or destroyed (Sequoia, .