Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection [Paperback]

Erin E. Williams (Author), Margo Demello (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2007

Our treatment of animals in modern America is full of contradictions. Pets are a beloved feature of most American households, many enjoying the most luxurious food and accessories, and reveling in the love and companionship from their human families. At the same time, animals raised for food or clothing, or used for medical experiments and product testing, often live painful, lonely lives in small cages from birth to death. And wild animals suffer in other ways--losing their lives as their habitats disappear, being hunted for trophies, and finding themselves removed from their homes for the exotic pet trade.

Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection offers a concise yet complete overview of the problems of animal suffering, linking them to larger issues of human and environmental exploitation. Authors Erin E. Williams and Margo DeMello examine industries that exploit animals--meat processing companies and agribusinesses; medical experimentation and cosmetic testing facilities; the entertainment industry (circuses, rodeos, zoos, racing, and film making); the pet industry; the fur and leather industry; and commercial and recreational activities centered on hunting. The authors also consider the adverse environmental effects of animal exploitation from pollution to deforestation and the depletion of biodiversity. In addition, they look at the connections between the poor treatment of animals and human exploitation of immigrants, slaughterhouse and farm workers, as well as the larger issues of globalization, hunger, and the negative consequences for Third World nations.

Highly informative yet very reader-friendly, this book not only explores the connections between animal and human suffering, but also integrates solid information with positive case studies of rescued animals and inspiring stories of individual successes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Animal experts Williams (who works for the Humane Society) and DeMello (Stories Rabbits Tell) deliver an excellent look at cruelty to animals on an institutional level in various industries, taking a "common sense perspective" and revealing many disturbing facts that could turn the most ardent meat eater into a hard-core vegetarian. The meat industry gets their toughest scrutiny: the authors show that while nearly 10 billion land animals are raised and killed for food each year in the U.S., "there are virtually no laws that protect them from the worst abuse." Williams and DeMello also vividly describe how more than 95% of the nation's 300 million egg-laying hens spend their entire lives—only 12 to 18 months—"crammed into barren, wire battery cages" where they lack the space to walk and spread their wings. Further, our turkeys are produced by artificial insemination using a sucking device that collects semen from males and then forcibly injects it into females. They are also equally hard on other industries, like cosmetics, textiles and the large commercial pet breeders who sell animals "well before weaning age" to outlets like Petco, Petsmart and Petland. This is a tough but fair-minded revelation of how mass production of animals for food and other purposes results in cruelty that usually remains hidden from sight. Photos. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

As the authors state, the treatment of animals in modern America is full of contradictions. Although we lavish time, money, and love on our pets, we allow the animals raised for our consumption (either as food, product testers, or medical experiment subjects) to languish in sometimes appalling conditions. The authors' goal is to demystify these realities and show how the animal industries maximize profits and cut costs in ways that cause human and animal misery. In prose that deliberately avoids complicated ethical and philosophical reasoning but instead states the case for humane treatment of animals in basic language, the authors examine the meat industry, hunting, the textile industry, animal experimentation, the pet industry, and animals in entertainment. The heavily endnoted text explains the issues; quotes from both sides of the argument (though leaning heavily on the animal-welfare side); provides examples of abuse and exploitation; discusses the effects, both physical and mental, on both animals and humans; and concludes with summations of what has been and what can be done to alleviate animal suffering. A well-organized presentation of the animal-welfare argument. Bent, Nancy
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (August 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591025230
• ISBN-13: 978-1591025238
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book, July 3, 2007

By 

P. Shapiro - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection (Paperback)

Why Animals Matter takes a realistic look at the ways in which we use animals in our society, how those uses often cause enormous suffering, and what we can each do about it. The point of the book isn't just to chronicle the multitude of ways in which animals are abused; it also shows that there's a better relationship we can have with these individuals who are at humanity's mercy. We can move from a human-animal relationship based on violence and exploitation toward one that's based on compassion and respect.

The authors deserve credit for not just focusing on animals with whom we're most familiar, such as dogs and cats. While dog and cat protection is certainly critical, by putting emphasis on the plight of animals raised for food (especially chickens), the authors make it clear that animal protection should be about all animals, even those with whom we're less familiar. (Although as is pointed out in the book, farm animals are every bit as intelligent and interesting as dogs and cats can be.) In fact, the chapter on animal agribusiness is the most powerful in the book, giving a sober and unflinching examination of each farm animal industry.

The book is worthwhile reading for animal advocates and newcomers to the topic alike.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive!, July 4, 2007

By 

A. Akerlund - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection (Paperback)

As a person concerned with animal welfare, but not one who has read extensively about the subject, this book provided a great overview of the various industries involved, and how their actions affect animals, the environment, and social justice. Obtaining an advanced copy, I was impressed with the extensive footnoting (great for future reading!), and the case studies used to supplement the facts provided. I also appreciated the way the authors wrote in a reasonable, factual, straight-forward way about everything from factory farming to the pet industry. A great introduction to animal welfare, it even provides easy ways people can effect change for animals in their everyday lives. This book will open your eyes to things you never knew existed, and help you to help lessen the needless suffering of animals worldwide.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 4, 2007

By 

A. Page - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection (Paperback)

The way in which we treat animals is inconsistent, and the authors use common-sense explanations and examples in the heavily-footnoted book to illustrate this point. I have lived with companion animals, lavished them with treats and toys, spent thousands of dollars for their care, and suffered when they passed away. Why Animals Matter illustrates the hidden suffering of most animals with whom we share the earth. From farm animals, to wildlife, to laboratory animals, to companion animals, to animals used for fur - Why Animals Matter describes the industries that transform animals into food, sport, tools and clothing.

The environment and people also suffer from our mistreatment of animals. Why Animals Matter illustrates the degradation of our planet in our hunger for more and cheaper meat and the suffering of workers who are trapped by the industry, work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and are blocked from unionizing. It also details the environmental and social problems caused by other industries that profit from animals.

Why Animals Matter would be a great resource for schools, colleges, researchers, and students ... as well as people who simply want to learn more about animal protection. The book is well-organized, level-headed, and a good read.