OUR MISSION
Voices for Animals is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization that advocates through a vegan philosophy of nonviolence that works in alliance with all sentient beings. As our logo demonstrates, we aim to amplify the voices of the animals with whom we share this planet by joining our voices with theirs. We are committed to the struggle for a just and joyful world, free of human exploitation and violence, for everyone, human and animal alike.
While the vast majority of vegan advocacy groups understandably start with food as their focus, we have taken a different approach, beginning with veganism as a way of thinking and being in the world that incorporates but exceeds dietary veganism. Our advocacy thus focuses on three spheres that deeply influence our relations with animals: education, the law, and religion.
OUR VALUES
Veganism We work through and for nonviolence towards all. We are committed to working for a world in which all are free from human exploitation. We ground our efforts in the nonviolent philosophy of veganism and its unremitting resistance to systems of exploitation and its struggle to move towards respectful relations with animals that acknowledge their sovereignty.
Social Justice While we focus specifically on the liberation of animals from human exploitation, we do not believe that such liberation can or should exist in isolation from the liberation of humans from exploitation. While some might call this “intersectional” justice, we push this one step further in our belief that these injustices do not merely intersect but share the same root, and we work to demonstrate these deeply rooted connections between violence against animals, humans, and the environment. We actively resist racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of violence against humans within our efforts to end violence against animals. We believe such an approach is not only just but efficacious.
Compassionate Methodology We recognize that violence against animals is deeply embedded and often invisible in Western culture, and we are sensitive to the ways that most of us have been taught that this violence is both necessary and right. We seek to foster a culture of respect and love for humans as well as animals in all our practices, and while we will encounter those with whom we adamantly disagree, we work to have all our actions grounded in love.
We will not financially profit off or promote the exploitation of some animals in our attempts to advocate for other animals. We also will not financially profit off or promote, either directly or indirectly, the exploitation of some humans in our attempts to advocate for animals.
Inclusivity We welcome anyone who wants to join us in working nonviolently for a nonviolent world.
Radical Optimism We fully recognize that the creation of an entirely just world will never be achieved, but we do not believe that such challenges negate the need to think and act radically. We also recognize that human beings have enormous power and responsibility to resist violence and cultivate love. We believe that such a struggle is profoundly challenging as well as rewarding.
Integrity We will uphold the ethical standards in our mission and values in all our work.
Image Credit: We Animals Media Jo-Anne McArthur