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Campaign Humane, a special project of Compassion Over Killing, was launched in 2001 to help the Washington, D.C.-area humane societies, animal shelters, and rescue groups stay on the cutting edge of animal advocacy. For too long, the U.S. humane community has focused its attention on the protection of dogs, cats, and other companion animals while factory farmed animals continue to suffer to produce eggs, dairy products, and meat for human consumption. As a result, those animals raised for food pay the price with their lives, and their suffering is deemed less significant than the suffering of those we call pets.
COK is pleased to announce that Campaign Humane has now gone national. In September 2002, 7,000 humane societies across the United States received an invitation to join the effort to protect all animals—whether they be dogs, pigs, cows, cats, or chickens—and pave the way for a more consistent ethic of compassion among the nation’s animal advocates.
While many people in the United States feel concern for the animals we consider to be family members, unfortunately, most are either unaware of or turn a blind eye toward the suffering and systematic abuse of the animals we consider to be food. In fact, were many of the cruelties suffered by farmed animals forced upon dogs or cats, the perpetrators would be thrown in jail.
Of course, dogs and cats are not the only animals who suffer and feel pleasure. However, the humane community has traditionally ignored the plight of animals who experience the misery of factory farms and slaughterhouses, sending an implicit message to the public that these animals don’t deserve ethical treatment or consideration.
COK has launched Campaign Humane to work with the humane community which is comprised of countless dedicated and compassionate staffers and volunteers, all of whom share a common desire to end animal abuse, in ending this deadly misperception. The project is intended to help humane societies, animal shelters and sanctuaries, and rescue groups extend their compassion not only to dogs and cats, but to the animals killed for human consumption as well.
The first phase of Campaign Humane involves outreaching to the nearly 100 such groups in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan-area. In order for an organization to endorse Campaign Humane, it must pledge to serve only vegetarian meals at all of its functions. It may also choose to place a Campaign Humane Endorsement Poster in its office.
To date, 56 organizations have endorsed Campaign Humane. If your organization would like to join our efforts to advocate compassion and ethical treatment to all animals, please contact COK.
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