Interview with WSPA US Program Manager Dena Jones
Originally appeared in Paragon Music Magazine's April 2008 Issue
Click here for original issue.
Lisa Selvaggio: First off, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I think it's wonderful that WSPA is working toward getting the United Nations to ratify the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare so that countries around the world will follow laws that will enforce animal rights. Can you expand upon what this declaration specifically states? Does it include particular animal welfare issues, or is it a broad generalization?
Dena Jones: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address your readers, Lisa, and for your question about WSPA's campaign for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare from the United Nations. The Universal Declaration is an agreement among people and nations to recognize that animals are sentient and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs and to end animal cruelty. At this time the draft language of the Declaration is general and does not address specific welfare issues. Your readers can help WSPA reach its goal of international recognition of animal welfare by signing the Animals Matter to Me petition at http://www.animalsmatterusa.org.
LS: WSPA works toward ending animal cruelty around the world, from whale hunting to killing animals for fur. In your opinion, what are the worst cases of animal cruelty -- those that need to be stopped more direly -- and in what countries do people need to be most educated in animal rights?
DJ: That's a tough question! There are many forms of animal cruelty, and some kinds occur more frequently in developed countries, while others are more common in developing nations. For example, cruelty to farm animals is very widespread in the U.S. due to the industrialization of animal agriculture here. But we treat our companion animals fairly well. On the other hand, farm animals may experience a more natural existence in less developed countries where stray companion animals lead a pretty miserable life. Animal fighting occurs in developed and developing countries alike, and if it isn't the worst instance of animal cruelty, it's close. Also, there's laboratory experiments where animals don't receive pain relief, certain types of traps and poisons used to kill animals, long distance transport of farm animals to slaughter, and the methods used to slaughter farm animals in many developing countries. WSPA considers the "farming" of bears to extract their bile to be one of the most egregious forms of cruelty, and it is practiced today in China, Korea, and Vietnam.
LS: I can't seem to figure out how or why people would be able to inflict the kind of suffering they do on animals, especially innocent animals that pose no threat to our species. What are your thoughts? Why do you think so many people, regardless of culture, religion, etc., don't see the need to respect other forms of life? It's an issue that's been fought over for centuries, yet people never seem to wake up.
DJ : Yes, I agree that this is a very challenging aspect of animal protection work. I suspect that such indifference to animal suffering is the result of a combination of socialization and ignorance. Disregard for the welfare of animals has been going on for centuries, as you mention, so change will not occur overnight. And remember that it's really only been the last decade or so that science has been able to document the ability of some animals to experience sensations like pleasure and pain. We're really just beginning to fully appreciate the scope and depth of animal minds. I'm confident that as this information is more broadly known that human attitudes and practices will change.
LS: Does WSPA give financial support to other non-profit organizations like it that may be too small to accomplish their goals on their own? If so, how would an organization go about asking for aid?
DJ: Yes, supporting other non-profit animal organizations through contributions of money and expertise is a key aspect of our work. Each year we make in excess of one hundred grants to organizations that belong to our global member society network. (Currently WSPA has more than 850 member societies in 150 countries.) For example, in 2007 the U.S. office of WSPA funded a successful campaign of Animal Friends Croatia to stop the construction of a captive dolphin facility in their country.
Rob Acocella: Does WSPA encourage, or try to push, vegetarianism? Or are you understanding of people's cultural and dietary needs when it comes to eating meat? A person can be a supporter of animal welfare and still be carnivorous, in my opinion, so I'm curious to know your stance.
DJ: No, WSPA is an animal welfare - not an animal rights - group. And, yes, as an international organization that works primarily in developing countries we have to be sensitive to people's cultural and religious practices. We do not promote vegetarianism, but we do advocate reduced consumption of meat and other animal products. Given the high demand for animal food products, especially here in the U.S., it would be difficult if not impossible to meet that demand through humane farming systems alone. Some reduction in demand is probably necessary. Plus, there are environmental and public health benefits to reduced consumption as well.
LS: After seeing a video displaying the cruelty factory farms force their animals to endure, I decided to become a vegetarian. I can't allow myself to buy into these cruel methods of keeping animals for slaughter. But not everyone has the willpower to change their diets so drastically. And I've also read that a lot of meat is mislabeled to seem as though it's coming from animal-friendly farms when it isn't, including dairy products like organic milk. How can the average consumer sift through the misinformation and be able to maintain a meat-eating diet when there isn't enough honest information/options out there, especially people who live in urban areas where independent farms are scarce?
DJ: Excellent question, Lisa! Current food labels, like "no hormones added," "natural," "free range," and "pasture raised," are very confusing to the average consumer who just wants to do the right thing and buy products that are more animal-friendly. The issue is too complicated to do justice to it here, but the short answer is that shoppers should look for "certified" products, as these are the only food labels that involve an independent third-party actually visiting the farm and/or slaughterhouse to ensure that labeling standards are being met. "Certified" labels that address animal welfare include "Certified Organic," "Certified Humane," "American Humane Certified," and "Animal Welfare Approved." Your readers can check out WSPA's easy-to-understand guide to food labels at http://www.eathumane.org.
LS: What I absolutely despise is people killing animals for fur. WSPA runs an anti-fur campaign. Aside from not purchasing fur products, what can the average person do to stop this atrocity? Do you think that change will take place from the bottom up (the consumers lessening demand for such goods), or from the top down (companies/designers and cultures changing their ways)?
DJ: WSPA has run anti-fur campaigns in the past, and several of our member societies currently campaign on this issue. The average person can contribute to the effort to stop the use of animals for fur by 1) not buying any products made from fur (this includes items with fur trim or fur lining) and encouraging others to do the same, 2) expressing disapproval to designers and retailers who deal in fur, and 3) supporting and voting for local and national politicians that support animal protection legislation. I believe it'll take a combination of political, corporate, and consumer campaigning to achieve success on the fur issue.
RA: A typical answer given to an animal rights supporter or environmentalist when he's trying to educate others is, "It's not my problem." How do you hold back the frustration and urge to beat people like that senseless, and what is your typical comeback to that kind of response?
DJ: Well, I wouldn't want to react in the way you've suggested, but I certainly understand the frustration of meeting that kind of resistance and apathy. My typical response is that, because of the global society we're all a part of, how we treat animals and the environment affects very directly what happens to people. And so these concerns really are everyone's problem. Then I offer an example or two, such as the documented connection between violence towards animals and violence towards humans, or the connection between the treatment of farm animals and the spread of animal diseases that affect humans, like bird flu or food-borne disease (Salmonella and E coli).
LS: It's practically common knowledge at this point that animal testing in labs for everything from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics is not necessary and often leads to erroneous conclusions as to whether a product is safe or not for human use/consumption. It's also known that even when products are found to be harmful to humans and/or animals, often they're put out on the market anyway, with no regard to consumer safety. When appealing for reforms in animal testing, what's the typical response you get from those that insist it's necessary in the 21st century?
DJ: Although WSPA is opposed to all experiments or procedures which cause unnecessary suffering to animals, we do not currently campaign in the area of laboratory research, so it's difficult for me to comment. But I will say that when we survey people or hold focus groups we find a significant difference in attitudes toward product testing and attitudes toward medical research. While I personally believe ending animal use for medical research will be difficult, ending or significantly reducing the use of animals in product testing is achievable. To do this we need to continue to educate consumers about how the products they buy are made.
RA: When faced with the challenge of convincing the public of your cause, which trait do you find the hardest to break through: Apathy/indifference, ignorance, or stubbornness?
DJ: I guess I would say that apathy or indifference is the most demoralizing attitude to encounter, and the hardest to combat. But, thankfully, it's not the most common trait we encounter. That would be ignorance, which is far easier to address. We find that although many people may not have a lot of information about various forms of animal cruelty, when they do find out, most are open to modifying their behavior. The hard part is reaching people. There is tremendous competition for mainstream media coverage, and broad-scale paid advertising is extremely expensive.
LS: WSPA seems to go after the same or similar issues as PETA, but you're not as "radical" in your campaigns. What do you think of PETA and the way they go about trying to spread their messages? Do you think they hurt themselves and their cause more than they help?
DJ: PETA is not a WSPA member society, and we typically do not work with them in coalitions. But we do routinely share information and referrals with PETA and they reciprocate. Significant contributions to the mission of animal protection can be made - and have been made - by employing various tactics. The cost vs. benefit of some actions can certainly be debated, but WSPA has a policy of not commenting on the tactics of other groups that work for animals, so I won't speculate on whether their approach does more harm than good.
LS: How can someone go about becoming an animal rights activist? Can you offer any advice to those who want to get into the field and possibly work directly with animals, in terms of necessary education, experience, networking, etc.?
DJ: I think the animal welfare/animal rights field has become much more professional in recent years. Many advocates now make their passion for animals a career by pursuing the education or experience to allow them to make a contribution to the movement. For example, I have a graduate degree in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine. That's not to say that volunteer advocates don't play a crucial role in gaining progress for animal welfare, because they do. In either case I would recommend joining local and national advocacy groups, volunteering for shelters and rescue groups if you're interested in hands-on type work, and pursuing an internship with a national group if you're finishing a degree that's applicable to animal protection.
LS: Is there anything that you'd like to say to our readers that wasn't mentioned in this interview?
DJ: Yes, there is. I'd like to say that I understand the subject of animal cruelty can seem overwhelming at times, and that well-intentioned people can suffer from "compassion fatigue." So I'd like to reassure your readers that every action they take to help non-human animals, even very small ones, can make a big difference if followed by enough people. Don't give up on compassion because it seems too hard or futile! With the start of the new year, commit to making one change in your life that will impact animals for the better. The WSPA-USA website offers some suggestions in our "10 Ways to Make the World a Better Place for Animals" and "10 More Ways You Can Help Animals" at http://www.wspa-usa.org. Thank you, Lisa and Rob!