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AN ANIMALS' CHARTER

[Seal] CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS AN ENEMY TO PROGRESS

Science, in demonstrating the common origin and kinship of mankind and the sub-human species has thereby discovered for itself the law of the unity of life on which is founded the statement, the truth of which is established by the witness of experience and history, that "Cruelty to Animals is an enemy to Progress."

Ethics teach that cruelty and oppression are as degrading to the oppressor as they are harmful to the helpless victim.

Religion constrains us to treat others as we would ourselves be treated, and to reverence the life in all God's creatures, and teaches that as a man soweth so shall he also reap.

The lnfliction of Suffering on animals for any purpose other than their own individual benefit is thus indicated as a violation of the claims of kinship, justice and compassion, and inimical to the spiritual and material advancement of humanity. It therefore behoves us to seek to minimise their sufferings and promote their welfare as we seek to minimise the suffering and promote the welfare of human beings.

From this it follows that the aim of an Animals' Charter should be to establish by declaration the rights of animals to justice and the joy of life, to encourage legislative action and administrative control which shall secure the legal and social recognition of these rights, and to promote methods of education which shall evoke a more chivalrous attitude towards animals, the natural outcome of which will be the abandonment of all practices which involve the exploitation of sub-human beings without due regard to their feelings and welfare.

(SEE OVER)