This document summarizes a focus group and survey that was conducted to understand public perception of the animal rights movement. The focus group discussed key issues in animal rights like factory farming and experimentation. It also discussed perceptions of organizations like PETA, ASPCA, and WSPA. The survey gathered demographic and psychographic data from participants and had them rank animal rights issues and indicate membership in animal welfare groups. It also included questions on a Likert scale to understand levels of agreement on issues like animal rights and ethics of practices like eating veal. The overall goal was to understand public views to help animal companies and rights organizations improve perception.
2. Why is it Important? Humanity is evolving Animal rights organizations: WSPA ASPCA PETA The result of this research would be of interest to any company or corporation that manufactures, exploits, breeds, cares for, protects or exhibits animals or their byproducts, as well as any company that educates the public about animals.
3. Background Early 1600s- Massachusetts Bay Colony “Body of Liberties” 1789- Jeremy Bentham’s dissertation, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation “The question is not, can they reason? Nor, Can they talk? But, Can they suffer?” 1822- Martins Act
4. Background 1809- A group was founded with the purpose of the suppressing and preventing wanton cruelty to brute animals 1824- SPCA The SPCA England Branch successfully lobbied to revise Martins Act four times 1840- These accomplishments caught the eye of Queen Victoria Changed their name to the RSPCA
5. Background 1820s- The English animal rights movement reached the United States Laws stating unprovoked cruelty to animals was a misdemeanor punishable by a small fine or a few days in jail 1828-New York 1835- Massachusetts April 1866- ASPCA was founded Provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States 1879- ASPCA had prosecuted 6,000 people for cruelty to animals and just nine years later that number doubled
6. Background 1975- Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation. Singer declared that all animals are considered equal 1979- Animal Legal Defense Fund was founded by attorneys Purpose of protecting the lives of animals through the legal system in the emerging field of animal law
7. Background 1980- PETA was founded by Ingrid Newkirk PETA focuses on four major areas of animal cruelty: Factory faming Laboratory testing Clothing trade Entertainment business. The organization has made major strides in the movement towards a cruelty-free society
8. Background 1981- WSPA was a merge of two different international organizations WSPA helped to bring all of the animal rights and animal welfare organizations from around the globe together 850 organization memberships in 150 countries The only animal welfare organization that the United Nations and the Council of Europe consult with
10. Focus Group I will recruit participants at local grocery stores The focus group will be comprised of men and women between the ages of 25-40, from several different ethnicities Incentives Spay/neuter voucher from a local veterinarian, for those with animal companions $40 donation to a charity of your choice in your name
11. Warm-Up Questions What is the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase animal rights? Are you in any way affiliated with any animal rights organizations?
18. WSPAIf you are not involved with animal rights or any animal rights organizations, is there something that would motivate you to get involved? Do you think extremist groups are putting the animal rights movement in a bad light?
19. Wrap-Up Questions How could the public perception of animal rights be improved? After hearing everything that you did in this focus group, has your perception changed? What do you think will happen with animal rights in the future?
20. Survey I will recruit participants at local grocery stores The focus group will be comprised of men and women between the ages of 25-40, from several different ethnicities Incentives Spay/neuter voucher from a local veterinarian, for those with animal companions $40 donation to a charity of your choice in your name
21. Demographic Questions Please indicate your age by filling in the appropriate bubble: O 19 or younger O 50-59 O 20-29 O 60 or older O 30-39 O I prefer not to answer O 40-49 Please indicate your gender: O Male O Female O I prefer not to answer Please indicate your race: O African American O Native American O Asian/Pacific Islander O White/Caucasian O Latino O I prefer not to answer O Multiracial
22. Psychographic Questions Please indicate your level of education: O Less than high school O College graduate O High school O Graduate degree O Some college O I prefer not to answer Please indicate your income: O Less than $20,000 O $50,000 to $59,999 O $20,000 to $29,999 O $60,000 to $69,999 O $30,000 to $39,999 O $70,000 or higher O $40,000 to $49,999 O I prefer not to answer Please indicate your place of residence: O Urban O Suburban O Rural O I prefer not to answer
23. Psychographic Questions Please indicate the status of your residence: O Own home O Rent O I prefer not to answer Please indicate your marital status: O Single with no children O Single with children O Married with no children O Married with children Please indicate whether or not you are a pet owner: O Yes O No O Not currently, but was previously O Not currently, but plan to be in the near future O I prefer not to answer
24. Substantive Questions Rank the following animal rights issues in order of most important to least important; 1 being the most important and 5 being the least important: _____ Factory farming _____ Animal experimentation/vivisection _____ Fur use _____ Over breeding/spay and neutering _____ Property status of animals Please indicate if you are a member of the following groups (circle all that apply): O American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals O People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals O World Society for the Protection for Animals O The Humane Society O Best Friends Animal Society O The National Anti-Vivisection Society O The World Wildlife Federation O Other
25. Substantive Questions Do you consider yourself any of the following? If not, please leave blank o Pescitarian o Vegetarian o Vegan Animals do not experience the same amount of pain as humans. There is nothing wrong with eating veal. Zoos are ethically responsible. There is nothing morally wrong with hunting. Animals should have rights guaranteed to them in the U.S. Constitution. If you would like to clarify any answers to any of the above questions, you may do so here. Questions 13 through 17 are on a Likert Scale with the choices being: Strongly agree, somewhat agree, no opinion, somewhat disagree and strongly disagree
