There is a big difference!
Animal welfare
Animal welfare benefits animals and owners alike. Those who have pets can provide them with food, water, medical attention and the many comforts of life awarded to most animals in today's lifestyles.
Animal welfare means the rancher or farmer who's livelihood depends on his animals can educate himself on raising the healthiest animal possible in an environment that is beneficial to him and his product.
Welfare means educating those who need to improve their standards of care; working to promote responsible animal ownership, whether it be pets, livestock, exotics or wildlife along with maintaining responsible standards using common sense.
Animal welfare groups and individuals should be willing to help improve conditions for animals. They should be willing to work with Agriculture Departments, wildlife officials and animal owners to form a good working relationship.
Animal rights
It is not caring about animals that stimulates this group.. It is the reward of breaking new ground, creating new philosophies and pushing these ideas through lawmaking and council bodies to prove that they can do it, and to promote their agenda, through carefully planned manipulation. The leaders of such groups are masters in marketing techniques, realizing that by playing on the sympathies of the public (who isn't going to react to a pitiful looking puppy or kitten?) they will in turn reap the benefits of donations and endorsements.
The new trend through uncharted waters is "guardianship" of animals. Thus comes along the theory of "animal rights." Guardians could be sued on behalf of their animals because the animal did not "want" to be bred; did not "want" to obey, or perform (including dog shows and dog agility). The list of possibilities goes on and on. Does it benefit the animals? No. Does it benefit animal rights groups, especially those who have lawyers on board. Yes. Does it benefit you as an animal owner? Not in the least!
As an extension of the animal rights philosophy, a number of people are
embracing veganism, relying exclusively on plant-based food, and plant-based and
synthetic clothing.
America does not take well to people forcing religion on them, well, maybe we don't
like being forced to wear plant-based and
synthetic clothing. Maybe we don't all
want to become vegans. Why should they be able to push this philosophy on others
and not get the same response other zealots get???
To give
animals "equal rights" and the right of "guardianship" rather than "ownership"
from their keepers robs humans of their moral responsibilities to provide care
and to nurture those animals at an appropriate level. Groups who work to put
animal owners and enthusiasts out of business are not working to improve
conditions for the animals or for humans.
To have personal agendas because
one does not like what someone else does for a living doing it is not an acceptable
attitude for someone who is truly an animal welfare person or
group.
The American Veterinary Medical Association Policy on Animal Welfare and Animal Rights describes animal welfare as:
"... a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia."
In firmly endorsing animal welfare while rejecting animal rights, the AVMA takes the following position:
"The AVMA's commitment to animal welfare is unsurpassed. However, animal welfare and animal rights are not the same. AVMA cannot endorse the philosophical views and personal values of animal rights advocates when they are incompatible with the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as food and fiber, and for research conducted to benefit both humans and animals."
Animal rights groups are slo against dog shows
We are for animal welfare
1. We believe in the right to own animals. People should be
able to have as many animals as they want so long as the animals are properly
cared for (clean environment, health care from a vet, exercise, socialization,
no overcrowding, food and water).
2. We believe any purposeful harm done to an animal is wrong. This includes
using them for experiments, and dog fighting. We believe in the enforcement of
anti-cruelty statutes (where their authority permits).
http://www.geocities.com/wildair7/WelfareVsRights.htm
Animal Rights...Wrong
Are We Helping To Criminalize Dog Breeding?
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