14 Examples of Fighting for Animal Rights That Make Our World a Little More Humane

Even today, when the world fights for tolerance, gender equality, and ethical issues in artificial intelligence, the question about animal rights is still unclear. People don’t pay enough attention to this question, so even the tiny steps taken toward protecting our four-legged friends count.

14. California pet stores sell animals from shelters only.

The US government has banned the uncertified retail sale of dogs. It’s mostly about dog farms where animals are kept in poor conditions as their owners’ main goal is to just make more money.

As for California, on January 1, 2019, it became the first state to ban the retail sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits. The thing is, each year, more than 6.5 million animals arrive in shelters and approximately 1.5 million of them are euthanized.

13. San Francisco has banned fur sales.

San Francisco became the largest city in the US to totally prohibit fur sales. The ban took effect on January 1, 2019. By the way, the former fur sellers are allowed to sell their current inventory until January 1, 2020.

12. In Europe and California it’s prohibited to test cosmetics on animals.

In 2013, the European Union banned cosmetic products that have been tested on animals. In 2019, the prohibition was supported by California. The same law has also been implemented in India and Israel.

The law applies to all beauty products, including makeup, shampoos, deodorants, and so on. What’s more, it also applies to each ingredient used in a product.

11. Spain protests against bullfighting.

The issue regarding bullfighting in Spain is a true dilemma: on the one hand, it’s an ancient art and a significant part of the Spanish cultural heritage, but on the other hand, it’s an ostentatious violent act against animals.

As of today, bullfighting is no longer held in the Canary Islands and Catalonia. Some TV channels have also refused to broadcast bullfighting. In the picture above, taken in 2018, you can see activists in Pamplona.

10. In Germany, shelters don’t allow people to give dogs as presents for Christmas.

In Germany, many shelters don’t allow people to adopt animals on Christmas. The thing is, many people treat animals as toys and cute gifts. According to their prior experience, they’ve found that people’s desire to adopt a pet as a gift for someone is usually hasty. Some people think that they can just bring the pet back to the store, like it’s a useless item.

So, while shelters are open in December, families who want to adopt a pet will have to wait until January.

9. There are zoos where the people are kept in cages, not the animals.

The main idea of these zoos is that people can enjoy the animals in their natural habitat. You can visit this type of zoo in Chile (pictured above).

8. There’s a ban on tourists riding donkeys in Santorini.

Donkeys have always been used to climb up the steep coastal cliffs of the island. Local tour guides claim that these are donkeys who allow tourists to feel and see the incredible atmosphere of Greece. One animal usually goes up and back down 5 times per day, sometimes carrying heavy people. As a result, donkeys suffer from spinal injuries and open sores.

According to the new laws implemented last summer, donkeys on rides in Santorini shouldn’t be made to carry loads heavier than 220 lbs.

7. Circuses have stopped using animals.

A law prohibiting the use of animals for entertaining people was implemented in Austria in 2002. Today, this law exists in 45 countries.

6. In South Korea, the biggest dog meat slaughterhouse was shut down.

The biggest dog meat slaughterhouse consisting of 5 city blocks, which could each hold hundreds of animals at a time, was shut down. There is a plan set for an urban park to take its place.

5. In India, all animals were set free.

In India, all kinds of entertainment using animals has been banned. Additionally, in 2009, all zoo elephants were set free in the national parks of the country.

In September 2018, the government of Delhi also sent all elephants that had been working in the city to national parks.

4. In Costa Rica, it’s prohibited to keep dolphins and whales in captivity.

In 2005, Costa Rica became the first country that banned keeping dolphins and whales in captivity. What’s more, now even scientists and researchers are only allowed to study cetaceans from the air.

3. In Great Britain, there’s a plan to prohibit electric shock training collars.

Electric dog collars that shock dogs are on their way to be made illegal in Britain, according to a new law. The thing is, in some cases, people are not using these collars to train their pets, but to purposely make them suffer.

2. In Italy, you may be fined if you abandon your pet.

Italians can be fined or even get a year of probation for cruelty to animals or if they decide to abandon their pets.

1. In Lithuania, there’s a Tinder for dogs.

Here’s some cute news: Lithuanian citizens created an app called GetPet for Android to match up dogs in local shelters with new owners. Just like Tinder, GetPet “users” have their own accounts with photos and descriptions (sex, age, health, and so on.) After a nice date, you can decide if you really want to get a pet or not.