The Founding Principles of Animal Rights Activism

Ingrid Newkirk emphasizes the fundamental belief that animals should be respected and treated with dignity, paralleling human rights. She co-founded PETA in 1980 to combat speciesism and promote ethical treatment of animals across various sectors, including food and fashion. Newkirk articulates that while animals may not require the same rights as humans, they deserve protection from needless suffering and exploitation. This perspective pushes against the traditional human-centric worldview, advocating for a recognition of animals as fellow sentient beings with their own feelings and interests.