All animals are born with an equal claim on life
and the same rights to existence
Bill of Rights for Animals
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Revised from the original in Keyguide to Information Sources in Animal Rights, Charles Magel, Jefferson, NC: McFarland and
Company, Inc., Publishers, 1989, pp. 233-4. [ARRS Administrator's Note: This is a revised version of the
original that provides stronger and more absolute protections. For example, the original had clauses stating that animals have
the right to life and that they should be killed painlessly!]
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Animal Rights
1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to existence.
2. All animals are entitled to respect. Humanity as an animal species shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or
exploit other species. It is humanity's duty to use its knowledge for the welfare of animals. All animals have the right to the
attention, care, and protection of humanity.
3. No animals shall be ill-treated or be subject to cruel acts.
4. All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural
environment, whether land, air, or water, and should be allowed to procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational
purposes, is an infringement of this right.
5. Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment have the right to live and grow at the rhythm and under the
conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for
purposes of gain is an infringement of this right.
6. All companion animals have the right to complete their natural life span. Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.
7. Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is incompatible with the rights of animals, whether it
be for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research. Replacement methods must be used and developed.
8. No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity. Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible
with their dignity.
9. Any act involving the wanton killing of the animals is
biocide, that is, a crime against life.
10. Any act involving the mass killing of wild animals is
genocide, that is, a crime against the species. Pollution or destruction of the natural environment leads to genocide.
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