Interview with Animal Defenders International (ADI)
For Paragon Magazine and Paragon Earth
Also appeared in Paragon Music Magazine Issue #44 October 2009
Respondent is Jan Creamer, Chief Executive, ADI
Lisa Selvaggio: First off, thanks for taking the time do this interview. Since Animal Defenders International is based both in the UK and the US, you'd be able to tell us if there are any major differences in the issues surrounding animal rights between the two nations? What needs to be worked on most in each country?
JC: In the UK, although we have some potentially good legislation to protect animals, progress is always slow because we take so long to take action over anything - and we have a very long way to go on the protection of animals used in businesses to make money. For example, the Government promised a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses three years ago, and we are still waiting! As a result of Government inaction, three new elephants have been brought to the UK to perform in circuses. Yet 80% of people are against animal circuses. In South America, we provide the evidence and get bans on animal circuses in half the time! The biggest problem in the U.S. is that there is no good animal protection legislation in place, so we have a lot of work to do there, to educate people about animal suffering, but also, to get some laws to protect animals.
LS: Are there any particular laws making it difficult for animal rights groups like yourselves to do their job in both the UK and US? Which country has laws that are more difficult to navigate?
JC: It is not so much the laws, but the attitude of governments and officials. The U.S. is more open, but it is larger and more complex - each state is like a mini country and we have to negotiate local and state legislation, as well as national. However, their officials have a generally more open attitude to NGOs (non-governmental organisations) like us, which makes it easier to work with them. In the UK, our government departments are the opposite; not really willing to work with NGOs or take on board public concerns - much more of a "closed door" policy. In Europe, we can just knock on an MEP's door and chat to them!
LS: ADI campaigns against animals being used in entertainment. For those readers who don't know what the problem is with using animals for things like advertisements or TV/movies, can you explain?
JC: The problem with using animals for films, advertising, or television is that in order to get the animal to do what you want it to do, you must deprive it of its own kind, its family, its enjoyment of its natural lifestyle and you have to coerce it in some way. The trainer becomes the sole source of comfort, approval, affection, food, water, life itself. We don't buy the "training with kindness" claims. We have worked alongside the trainers and can tell you that more frequently it is training by punishment or withdrawal of food, water, or approval of the trainer than anything else. Being shut away and lonely can also be a punishment. That's the hidden price of our entertainment.
LS: For most people, it's obvious why keeping animals in circuses and zoos/aquariums is inhumane, but others still insist that these places serve as a place of learning for children, especially since they wouldn't be able to see these animals otherwise. How do you approach people with this mindset to convince them that the keeping of animals like this benefits no one?
JC: Circuses, zoos, aquariums teach children nothing about the real lives of the animals they display. These places are there to make money. They treat the animals like exhibits, with labels, tiny spaces, impoverished lives, and talk about conservation. The real conservation takes place in the animals' countries of origin. They could spend their money there and protect the animals in their environment. Depriving an animal of the life it was born for, just so that someone can see it more conveniently than if they had to look for it and observe it in the wild, is plain wrong. It is not education either, because it is an unnatural "exhibit" - it says nothing about the way the animal really lives, how it communicates, what it is like in its family group. The true essence and understanding of their existence cannot be replicated in a glass case or a cage.
LS: In your experience, what have you found to be the most effective form of outreach? Is it in the form of educational presentations, passing out flyers at events like circuses, holding rallies and protests, publishing ads like those that PETA puts out, or something else?
JC: All people are different and need to be reached in different ways, so different kinds of approach are needed; education, publications, the internet, political lobbying, protests. I think the single most effective thing that ADI does, which underpins everything we do, is that our field officers work undercover in the animal use industries and we get the evidence to present to the media and governments. I have gone undercover myself and the shock of being face to face with the truth is truly life changing. We also prosecute if we can show that laws have been broken. Seeing what really happens behind the scenes is a huge reality check for both governments and public.
LS: To be blunt, what do you think is mentally wrong with people who abuse animals or think they have dominion over them, because I just don't get it?
JC: It is very sad that some people are so full of hatred and violence that they appear to have a need to take it out on something weaker than themselves. And making animals suffer for entertainment or sport is just pathetic. Those people need to get a life. I think this is something that needs to be addressed in schools. Children should be educated to despise violence and become champions of animals - everyone must become an Animal Defender! We provide school packs.
LS: In your experience, what's the easiest, and hardest, group of people to "convert" - i.e. children, teens/young adults, religious/spiritual individuals, older people, people who are already nature lovers, etc.?
JC: It varies. Obviously those who have a vested interest in using animals for profit are always hardcore - animals are just tools or products to them - so they don't respond well if anyone is trying to curtail their activities! Disappointingly, it is sometimes people who fight for human rights that appear to feel almost threatened by the concept of animal rights. I think this is a mistaken belief that there is a kind of scale or hierarchy involved. Yet there isn't - any society that does not protect its weakest, including the other species who share our planet, is incapable of protecting its weakest humans. It is all part of the same continuum - we must develop a desire to respect and protect all. This does not mean that we cannot take action to preserve our lives; it is a question of balance. I think undoubtedly younger people are more open to new ideas and new ways of managing and sharing Planet Earth. They have a big stake in the future, and they don't have the vested self-interest of some older people.
LS: For people like myself who want to work in the animal rights movement but who can't relocate and seem to be living in an area where these jobs simply aren't available, what are the prospects of finding something non-volunteer and telecommuting, especially in this tough economy?
JC: Animal rights groups are desperate for all kinds of help. You could become a field officer and work all over the world. If you have website or IT skills you might be able to help with that kind of work. Or if you already have a job, you should hold onto it and volunteer for us, fundraising, campaigning, writing letters - if people volunteer for us on a regular basis, or intern for us, they are always top of our list when vacancies arise, because we know what they can do.
LS: Speaking of the economic downturn, how has it affected your organization?
JC: We have been hit very hard indeed. Because we are primarily a campaigning group, rather than fundraising, most of our income comes from legacies, when people leave us money in their Will. Because houses left in Wills are not selling, we are getting less and less. We are trying to find ways of keeping our most important projects going, so we are looking everywhere we can for other sources of income. We can't let the animals pay the ultimate price of the human greed that caused this dreadful financial disaster.
LS: Well, again, thanks so much for doing this interview. We always enjoy speaking with non-profits. Is there anything you'd like to add that wasn't already discussed?
JC: Yes - we have some hugely important campaigns on right now - we desperately need people to help! If you can spend a couple of hours a week volunteering locally or at our offices, please do it! Help change the world. See our website: www.ad-international.org, or call us on: 020 7630 3340.