Who?

Ottawa Animal Advocates represents a wide cross-section of citizens from a variety of age groups and backgrounds which includes government workers, teachers, engineers, lawyers and other professionals as well as students and retirees. 

What?

OAA is a grass-roots, non-profit, volunteer-based group founded in August 2003.

Animal advocates believe that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment and that animals exist for their own reasons such as to raise their young, engage in characteristic behaviours attributed to their species and ensure their own survival. 

Supporters and members of OAA believe that there is no excuse for the miserable and pain-ridden lives that modern day farm animals, fur bearing animals, “lab animals” and exotic wildlife are subjected to by the industries that render them to the level of renewable resources, objects or “tools”of production.  OAA also believes that the “out of sight, out of mind” secrecy that these industries thrive on is largely responsible for the public’s general unawareness of such issues, hence the motivation of many advocates to inform the public of what is really going on behind the closed doors of factory farms, slaughterhouses, circuses and laboratories.  While OAA recognizes that such information can be hard to process and that it is less stressful to just “not think about it”, we feel it should be taken into consideration that widespread denial certainly only worsens the situation for animals.  Denial or apathy exhibited by the general public who are, at least to some extent, aware of the issues regarding the severe mistreatment of animals is often considered to be morally unacceptable.  We would hope that people who are informed of the issues would at least wish to help reduce animal suffering in some way since pain and misery are experienced by both humans and animals and ignoring animals’ circumstances can quite easily be compared to the idea of no one coming to our aid were we ourselves in pain or suffering. 

The concept of animal rights is also tied to environmental ethics and to a sense of personal and moral responsibility regarding the environment since all views contain the belief that the living things of the world are interconnected and should be treated responsibly with respect and compassion and that they do not exist to be recklessly ravaged, exploited or ignored.  The views also tend to consider the consumption habits of modern day society as being dangerous if not disgraceful.  For example, the average Canadian eats far more meat than what mankind throughout most of history has consumed, to a large extent because it is so readily available on supermarket shelves.  It is now becoming increasingly likely that increasing rates of heart disease and certain cancers are related to meat over-consumption as even Health Canada is recommending reduced meat intake for preventative diets.  In addition, meat over-consumption is destroying the environment and turning the lives of farm animals into living nightmares.  This is only one of many examples of people acting without thinking about consequences or “a bigger picture.”  Human poverty, the annihilation of the rainforest, the poisoning of the earth’s air and oceans and animal suffering are all testaments to people and governments having lost the ability to empathize and see, care and take action regarding issues that do not directly affect them.  Animal advocates are specifically concerned with animal suffering as a result of such disregard. 

“I believe in animal rights as well as human rights. It is the way of the whole human being.”
~ Abraham Lincoln

Why?

The belief that animals are entitled to a life free of suffering caused by humans is based on the argument that because we are the dominant species and have the capacity to exercise compassion and virtue and to recognize that animals feel pain and other emotions, that we are morally responsible to prevent their suffering at our hands.  It is also based on the belief that we should grant upon other creatures the same treatment we would hope to receive should they be the ones in a non-dominant position in this world.  With regard to the notion of human “superiority”, most animal advocates find this argument invalid since the concept itself is based solely on human perspective and does not presuppose that all animals, including humans, value and cherish life and contentment in the same manner that we do.  The belief that ALL animals, companion/pets and otherwise, should be entitled to a life free of suffering induced by humans is also based on the fact that there is no valid argument claiming that one type of animal deserves more entitlement than another.  ALL animals are capable of feeling pain, have family systems and possess a range of other emotions, facts that are both observable and scientifically proven.  To add to the evidence that animals have rights that must be defended is the fact that some of the greatest thinkers and most admired figures of all time were ethical vegetarians who advocated compassion, mercy and protection for animals.  Such figures include Albert Einstein, Gandhi and Jesus, possibly the most revered figure in Western society.  Many animal advocates believe there is a reason for these commonalities which is that such lifestyles and ways of thinking are the appropriate way to live and behave. 

“Of all the arguments to mans’ superiority, none can shatter the fact that in suffering animals are our equals.”
~ Peter Singer

How?

Animal activists/advocates share many common beliefs, however, they are not always alike in the strategies they use to effect positive change.  OAA is committed to striving to improve the lives of animals through:

1) the promotion of awareness of issues through educational and non-confrontational information tables and displays, leafleting sessions and demonstrations/protests when applicable.  Other direct methods to effect change include letter writing and direct communication with
various individuals such as business owners and managers and government officials (eg. Members of Parliament). 

2) the initiatives of volunteers.  While small steps are still invaluable, it is unrealistic to expect too much change from the active efforts of a few individuals.  There are always a variety of events and campaigns posted on the site in the “Events” section that require volunteers, and specific volunteer jobs are also listed on the “Volunteer” section of this site.  OAA also gladly supports the initiatives of individuals who wish to campaign independently.  We ask that you please let us know of your event though so that we can add to its success whether through posting, preparation or participation.  You are also welcome to join the mailing list to keep up to date on current news and events. 

3) lifestyle change and example.  Although many industries related to animal suffering are often unresponsive to requests for reforms, and are obviously not willing to shut themselves down, one thing they are responsive to is consumer spending.  This gives the individual tremendous power over the nature of industries that exploit/ mistreat animals.  For example, buying cruelty-free cosmetics or cleaning products takes money away from companies that refuse to use viable and existing alternatives to exposing animals to lethal doses of chemicals through unconscionably painful and unnecessary practices.  Likewise, choosing not to wear fur or leather or eat meat reduces demands on the factory farming industry and the fur industry which are other terrible examples of unnecessary animal suffering and cruelty. 

4) easy everyday activism.  Please click here to request information regarding becoming a successful animal rights/animal welfare activist. 

5) donations.  For individuals who wish to help but are not able to help directly, we accept donations to cover the costs of printing, literature from other sources as well as props, tables, rental equipment and various other expenses that are essential to ensuring our continued work towards helping animals.  Please see the “Donation” section for more information on how to donate to help keep OAA running to the very best of our ability.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
~ Mohandas Gandhi

When?

OAA meets on a regular basis to discuss current issues and campaigns.  Please check the events section of this site for information on exact times, dates and location.  Several campaigns are also co-ordinated throughout the year and individuals are encouraged to initiate their own actions to spread out our efforts and each play a part in helping make this world a kinder, better place for animals.

“Animal Rights 101” Information Sessions:

If you are new to animal rights or desire more information on the topic of animal rights than what is presented in this website or in related websites, you are welcome to contact OAA to request an animal rights information session.  Please note that while we welcome some debating on the topic of animal rights, we do not recommend that individuals who do not have at least a basic respect or fondness for animals partake in this service as the goal of the sessions is not to debate animal rights itself but to raise awareness and encourage people to help out in ways which suit them best. 

Thank you for your interest and please feel free to browse the rest of our site.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or would like your voice to be heard on behalf of animals who are counting on us to make their lives as free of suffering as possible.  Together, we can make a difference for animals.

Policy

OAA will not take responsibility for or endorse any action that violates the principles of non-confrontational public advocacy such as yelling, swearing or other similar behaviour. OAA believes that such action only serves to draw attention away from animals and onto activists/advocates which is less helpful with regard to effecting positive change for animals.

Disclaimer

Ottawa Animal Advocates (OAA) operates this Web site and is solely responsible for its content. This Web site contains links to other Web sites that are maintained by third parties.  OAA is not responsible for the contents of any third-party Web sites and shall not be liable for any claims of alleged damage or injury arising from the contents of such Web sites. Any links to other Web sites are provided as a convenience to you as a user of this Web site and do not imply OAA's endorsement of the linked Web sites or association with their operators.


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