His Fine Feathered Friends, And Ours

There have been many battles in the years since. Fur-bearing animals, as well as wandering dogs and other unintended victims, suffer horribly in steel-jawed leg-hold traps. Dogs and cats crowd our animal shelters in desperate need of loving homes, while unscrupulous breeders flood pet stores with dogs from backyard puppy mills. Dogfighting and cockfighting are startlingly common, as we saw this summer in the case of Michael Vick.

No battle was ever easily won. But along the way, something remarkable has happened. In recent years, our cause has moved from the margins to the mainstream. Yes, many of our adversaries still have money and influence, and resist even the most modest reforms. But we have something better—the power of conscience and the votes of the majority. There is a sense that the winds of change are blowing in our direction, and more briskly than ever. Since 1990, I've been part of 20 successful ballot-initiative campaigns to end the abuse of animals. We have championed hundreds of new reforms at the state and federal level. There aren't many issues these days on which both parties can agree, but compassion for animals is a universal value.

We're even seeing the first stirrings of reform in the abusive treatment of the 10 billion animals a year on factory farms. Voters and lawmakers in Arizona, Florida and Oregon have outlawed confining farm animals in crates so small that they cannot turn around, and Californians will have the chance to do the same in the November 2008 elections. The ballot initiative has the potential to relieve the suffering of 20 million animals in California raised for food.

In principle, most everyone agrees it's wrong to mistreat animals. In practice, correcting the wrong is much harder. We need laws that reflect our principles and our best instincts. We need corporations to end their ruthless practices and show a greater concern for animals. It's important as well that people not only care for their pets but also make humane choices in the marketplace and support animal-protection reforms.

For my part, over the years I have rejoiced in the gains for animal welfare, but I've taken a few losses—indeed, pigeon shoots still occur in Pennsylvania. But the trajectory is unmistakable: by ever-larger majorities, the good heart of America is showing itself. Most people are unwilling to accept cruelty anymore. Animal protection has always been a noble cause. Now it's a winning cause, too.

Pacelle is president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.

© 2007