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Advocates ofanimal rights believe that many or allsentient animals have moral worth that is independent of their utility for humans, and that their most basic interests—such as in avoidingsuffering—should be afforded the same consideration as similar interests of human beings. They employ a variety of methods includingdirect action to opposeanimal agriculture. Many animal rights advocates argue that non-human animals should be regarded aspersons whose interests deserve legal protection.[1]
The animal rights movement emerged in the 19th century, focused largely on opposition tovivisection, and in the 1960s the modern movement sprang up in England around theHunt Saboteurs Association. In the 1970s, the Australian and American philosophersPeter Singer andTom Regan began to provide the movement with its philosophical foundations. Singer argued for animal liberation on the basis ofutilitarianism, first in 1973 inThe New York Review of Books and later in hisAnimal Liberation (1975), while Regan developed adeontological theory of animal rights in several papers from 1975 onwards, followed byThe Case for Animal Rights (1983).[2] A distinction persists within the movement—based on the utilitarian–deontological divide—between those who seek incremental reform, a position known asanimal protectionism, and those on theabolitionist side, who argue that reform that aims to regulate, rather than abolish, the property status of animals is counterproductive.[3]
Historically speaking, it can be argued that the genesis of theanimal rights movement was in India given the impact that bothBuddhism andJainism had on people in India and the neighbouring countries in Asia. The country with the largest number and highest percentage of vegetarians is India. Buddhism among the global religions is an animal rights religion par excellence. It has long subscribed to the belief that all life forms including that of non-human animals are sacred and deserving of respect, and extolls kindness and compassion as utmost virtues worthy of cultivation. Buddhism unreservedly embraces all living beings in its ethicalcosmology without discrimination on grounds of species, race, or creed. Buddhist tenets—including the first precept, "Do not kill"—extend to both human and non-human sentient beings.The Buddha was so adamant and protective of the more vulnerable members of the moral community—namely the animals—that, as recorded inDhammapada, he declared: "He who has laid aside the cudgel that injures any creature whether moving or still, who neither slays nor causes to be slain—him I call an Arya (Noble person)." The earliest reference to the idea of non-violence to animals (pashu-ahimsa), apparently in a moral sense, is in the Kapisthala Katha Samhita of theYajurveda (KapS 31.11), aHindu text written about the 8th century BCE.[4] Several Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts appearing in the following centuries, including the Tamil moral texts of theTirukkural and theNaladiyar,[5][6] emphasize onahimsa andmoral vegetarianism, which is equated to today'sveganism.[7]
The following is a list of animal rights advocates from all positions within the movement, from academics to activists.
| Name | Born | Image | Country of birth | Occupation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elisa Aaltola | 1976 | Finland | Philosopher, author ofAnimal Individuality: Cultural and Moral Categorisations (2006) andAnimal Suffering: Philosophy and Culture (2012) | [8] | |
| Carol J. Adams | 1951 | United States | Eco-feminist writer, author ofThe Sexual Politics of Meat (1990) | [9] | |
| Bryan Adams | 1959 | Canada | Musician, campaigner forPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | ||
| Douglas Adams | 1952–2001 | United Kingdom | Writer, campaigner for theGreat Ape Project | [10] | |
| Cleveland Amory | 1917–1998 | United States | Founder of the Fund for Animals, president of theNew England Anti-Vivisection Society | [11] | |
| Pamela Anderson | 1967 | Canada | Model, campaigner forPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [12] | |
| Claudine André | 1946 | Belgium | Conservationist, founded thebonobo sanctuaryLola ya bonobo | [13] | |
| James Aspey | 1986 | Australia | Fitness trainer, animal rights lecturer | [14] | |
| Michael Aufhauser | 1952 | Germany | Founder of Gut Aiderbichl, an animal sanctuary | [15] | |
| Greg Avery | 1963 | United Kingdom | Co-founder of theConsort beagles,Hillgrove cats, andSHAC campaigns | [16] | |
| Matt Ball | 1968 | United States | Co-founder and President of One Step for Animals, Senior Media Relations Specialist forThe Good Food Institute, vegan, co-author ofThe Animal Activist's Handbook (2009) | [17] | |
| Martin Balluch | 1954 | Austria | Co-founder ofVegane Gesellschaft Österreich, president ofVerein Gegen Tierfabriken | [18] | |
| Neal D. Barnard | 1953 | United States | President ofPhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine | [19] | |
| Shane and Sia Barbi | 1963 | United States | Models | [20] | |
| Brigitte Bardot | 1934 | France | Former actress, animal rights activist, founder of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation | [21] | |
| Bob Barker | 1923–2023 | United States | Former host ofThe Price Is Right, animal rights activist | ||
| Gene Baur | 1962 | United States | Founder ofFarm Sanctuary | [22] | |
| Tom Beauchamp | 1939 | United States | Professor of Philosophy atGeorgetown University, co-author ofThe Human Use of Animals (1998) | [23] | |
| Marc Bekoff | 1945 | United States | Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, co-founder withJane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [24] | |
| Jeremy Bentham | 1748–1832 | United Kingdom | Philosopher, author of the oft-quoted "The question is not, Can theyreason? nor, Can theytalk? but, Can theysuffer?" | [25] | |
| Steven Best | 1955 | United States | Philosopher, formerAnimal Liberation Press Office spokesperson | [26] | |
| Yves Bonnardel | 1967 | France | Philosopher, field activist and theorist, publisher, lecturer and essayist | [27] | |
| Michela Vittoria Brambilla | 1967 | Italy | Politician | [28] | |
| Brigid Brophy | 1929–1995 | United Kingdom | Writer, author of article, "The Rights of Animals", inThe Sunday Times, London, 1965. | [29] | |
| Mel Broughton | 1960 | United Kingdom | Co-founder of theSPEAK campaign | [30] | |
| Joseph Buddenberg | 1984 | United States | Mink liberator, twice indicted on Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act charges. Served two years in federal prison for liberating 5,740 mink from U.S fur farms. | [31] | |
| Ned Buyukmihci | United Kingdom | Doctor of veterinary medicine, founder of Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights | [32] | ||
| David Cantor | 1954 | United States | Founder and Executive Director ofResponsible Policies for Animals,[33] a unique national educational nonprofit organization based in Glenside, Pennsylvania. | ||
| Joey Carbstrong | 1986 | Australia | Animal rights activist, veganism activist | [34] | |
| Paola Cavalieri | 1950 | Italy | Philosopher, campaigner for theGreat Ape Project | [35] | |
| Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 1623–1673 | United Kingdom | Writer, anti-vivisectionist | [36] | |
| Alan Clark | 1928–1999 | United Kingdom | Conservative Member of Parliament (1974–1992 and1997–1999), historian,diarist | [37] | |
| Stephen R. L. Clark | 1945 | ![]() | United Kingdom | Professor of philosophy at theUniversity of Liverpool (1984–2009), author ofThe Moral Status of Animals (1977) | [38] |
| Jean Clemens | 1880–1909 | United States | Daughter ofMark Twain | [39] | |
| Frances Power Cobbe | 1822–1904 | United Kingdom | Founder of theNational Anti-Vivisection Society and theBritish Union for the Abolition of Vivisection | [40] | |
| Alasdair Cochrane | 1978 | United Kingdom | Political theorist based at theUniversity of Sheffield; author ofAn Introduction to Animals and Political Theory andAnimal Rights without Liberation | [41] | |
| Sue Coe | 1951 | United Kingdom | Artist, illustrator, author ofCruel: Bearing Witness to Animal Exploitation (2012) | [42] | |
| J. M. Coetzee | 1940 | South Africa | Novelist, recipient of the 2003Nobel Prize in Literature, author ofThe Lives of Animals (1999) | [43] | |
| Priscilla Cohn | 1933–2019 | United States | Professor Emeritus of Philosophy atPennsylvania State University, associate director of theOxford Centre for Animal Ethics | [44] | |
| Jake Conroy | 1976 | United States | Member ofSHAC7, animal rights activist | [45] | |
| Rod Coronado | 1966 | United States | Animal rights activist, formerly for theALF,Earth First!, andELF | [46] | |
| James Cromwell | 1940 | United States | Actor, played the farmer inBabe (1995) | [47] | |
| Karen Davis | 1944–2023 | United States | President ofUnited Poultry Concerns, author ofThe Holocaust and the Henmaid's Tale (2005) | [48] | |
| John DeBacker | 1993 | United States | Vice President of Long Island Cat/Kitten Solution (LICKS) | ||
| David DeGrazia | 1962 | United States | Professor of Philosophy atGeorge Washington University, author ofTaking Animals Seriously (1996) | [49] | |
| Chris DeRose | 1948 | United States | Founder ofLast Chance for Animals | [50] | |
| Rukmini Devi | 1904–1986 | India | Dancer, founder of theAnimal Welfare Board of India | [51] | |
| Nina Douglas-Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton | 1878–1951 | United Kingdom | Co-founder of theAnimal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society | [52] | |
| Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding | 1882–1970 | United Kingdom | Commander ofRAF Fighter Command, president of theNational Anti-Vivisection Society | [53] | |
| Muriel Dowding, Baroness Dowding | 1908–1981 | United Kingdom | Founder ofBeauty Without Cruelty | [54] | |
| Alice Drakoules | 1850–1933 | United Kingdom | Lifelong supporter and treasurer ofHumanitarian League et al. | [55] | |
| Joan Dunayer | United States | Author ofAnimal Equality (2001) andSpeciesism (2004) | [56] | ||
| Lawrence Finsen | United States | Professor of philosophy atUniversity of Redlands, co-author ofThe Animal Rights Movement in America (1994) | [57] | ||
| Dian Fossey | 1932–1985 | United States | Primatologist, conservationist, advocate for mountain gorillas | [58] | |
| Roger Fouts | 1943 | United States | Primate researcher known for his work withWashoe the chimpanzee, adviser to theOxford Centre for Animal Ethics | [59] | |
| Gary L. Francione | 1954 | United States | Distinguished Professor of Law and Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Scholar of Law & Philosophy atRutgers School of Law–Newark, leadingabolitionist, author ofAnimals, Property, and the Law(2005) | [60] | |
| Bruce Friedrich | 1969 | United States | Executive Director,The Good Food Institute | [61] | |
| Birutė Galdikas | 1946 | Canada | Primatologist, conservationist, expert on orangutans | [62] | |
| Maneka Gandhi | 1956 | India | Politician, founder ofPeople for Animals | [63] | |
| Robert Garner | 1960 | United Kingdom | Professor of political theory at theUniversity of Leicester; co-author ofThe Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation? (2010) | [64] | |
| Juliet Gellatley | United Kingdom | Founder and director ofViva! | [65] | ||
| Tal Gilboa | 1978 | Israel | Founder of the Israeli Animal Liberation Front | [66] | |
| Dick Goddard | 1931–2020 | United States | Television meteorologist, animal advocate. Ohio 131st General Assembly–House Bill 60 (Dick Goddard's Law) was passed, which is named after him. | [67] | |
| Antoine Goetschel | 1958 | Switzerland | Lawyer, animal advocate for the canton of Zurich | [68] | |
| Lewis Gompertz | 1783 c. 1783–1861 | United Kingdom | Author,Moral Inquiries on the Situation of Man and of Brutes (1824), founderAnimals' Friend Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | ||
| Jane Goodall | 1934–2025 | United Kingdom | Founder,Jane Goodall Institute, co-founder withMarc Bekoff of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [24] | |
| Brigitte Gothière | 1973 | France | Director and spokesman for the animal rights groupL214, which she co-founded with Sébastien Arsac | [69] | |
| Celia Hammond | 1941 | United Kingdom | Former model, founder of the Celia Hammond Animal Trust | [70] | |
| Stevan Harnad | 1945 | Hungary | Cognitive Sciences,Université du Québec à Montreal | [71] | |
| Alex Hershaft | 1934 | United States | Founder ofFarm Animal Rights Movement and the Chairman of the U.S. Animal Rights National Conference | [72] | |
| Barry Horne | 1952–2001 | United Kingdom | Animal rights activist, hunger striker | [73] | |
| Oscar Horta | 1974 | Spain | Animal activist andmoral philosopher who is currently a professor at theUniversity of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and one of the co-founders of the organization Animal Ethics | [74] | |
| Wayne Hsiung | 1980 | United States | Lawyer, open rescue activist, co-founder ofDirect Action Everywhere | [75] | |
| Harish Iyer | 1979 | India | Animal, LGBTIQ and Child Rights Activist | ||
| V. R. Krishna Iyer | 1915–2014 | India | Former judge of theSupreme Court of India | [76] | |
| pattrice jones | 1961 | United States | Writer, educator, activist, co-founder of VINE Sanctuary | [77] | |
| Melanie Joy | 1966 | United States | Social psychologist and vegan activist, primarily notable for promulgating the termcarnism | ||
| Pedro Kaiten Piquero | 1976 | Spain | Classical pianist, translator, Buddhist Zen teacher, vegan activist | [78] | |
| Roberta Kalechofsky | 1931–2022 | United States | Writer, author ofAnimal Suffering and the Holocaust: The Problem with Comparisons (2003) | [79] | |
| Shannon Keith | United States | Animal rights lawyer, director ofBehind the Mask (2006) | [80] | ||
| Lisa Kemmerer | United States | Philosopher-activist, author, and educator | [81] | ||
| Marti Kheel | 1948–2011 | United States | Ecofeminist writer, founder of Feminists for Animal Rights | [82] | |
| Anna Kingsford | 1846–1888 | United Kingdom | Physician, anti-vivisectionist, author ofThe Perfect Way in Diet (1881) | [83] | |
| Niko Koffeman | 1958 | Netherlands | Senator,Party for the Animals | [84] | |
| Christine Korsgaard | 1952 | United States | Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor of Philosophy atHarvard University, author ofFellow Creatures (2018) | [85] | |
| Tiphaine Lagarde [fr] | 1982 | France | Activist and co-founder of French antispeciesist association "269 Libération animale" | [86] | |
| Carla Lane | 1928–2016 | United Kingdom | Television scriptwriter, ran Animaline animal sanctuary | [87] | |
| Gill Langley | 1952 | United Kingdom | Scientist, campaigner against the use of animals in research | [88] | |
| Charlotte Laws | 1960 | United States | Author, TV Host and Animal rights activist | [89] | |
| Ronnie Lee | 1951 | United Kingdom | Founder of theAnimal Liberation Front | [90] | |
| Tobias Leenaert | 1973 | Belgium | Vegan activist, speaker, author ofHow to Create a Vegan World: a Pragmatic Approach, and blogThe Vegan Strategist, co-founder of the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy (CEVA) andProVeg International | [91] | |
| Lizzy Lind af Hageby | 1878–1963 | Sweden | Founder of theAnimal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society, known for theBrown Dog affair | [92] | |
| Bob Linden | United States | Host ofGo Vegan Radio | [93] | ||
| Ludvig Lindström | 1975 | Sweden | Animal rights activist, founder ofGlobal Happiness Organization | [94] | |
| Andrew Linzey | 1951 | England | Theologian, founder of theOxford Centre for Animal Ethics | [95] | |
| Howard Lyman | 1938 | United States | Writer and activist, author ofMad Cowboy | [96] | |
| Dan Lyons | United Kingdom | CEO,Centre for Animals and Social Justice | [97] | ||
| Jo-Anne McArthur | 1976 | Canada | Photographer, founder of the We Animals project and subject ofThe Ghosts in Our Machine | [98] | |
| Linda McCartney | 1941–1998 | United States | Photographer, musician, founder ofLinda McCartney Foods | [99] | |
| Paul McCartney | 1942 | England | Musician, campaigner forPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | ||
| Colin McGinn | 1950 | England | Philosopher | [100] | |
| Charles R. Magel | 1920–2014 | United States | Professor emeritus of Philosophy and Ethics atMoorhead State University, animal rights activist and bibliographer | [101] | |
| Bill Maher | 1956 | United States | Comedian, board director ofPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [102] | |
| Keith Mann | England | Animal rights activist, author ofFrom Dusk 'til Dawn: An Insider's View of the Growth of the Animal Liberation Movement (2007) | [103] | ||
| Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson | 1941 | United States | Former psychoanalyst, author ofWhen Elephants Weep (1995) | [104] | |
| Dan Mathews | 1964 | United States | Senior Vice-President ofPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [105] | |
| Gauri Maulekhi | India | Animal rights activist, Member Secretary People for Animals Uttarakhand, Trustee People for Animals, ConsultantHumane Society International, TrusteePeople for Animals India | [106][107][108][109] | ||
| Mary Midgley | 1919–2018 | England | Senior Lecturer in Philosophy atNewcastle University (retired), author ofAnimals And Why They Matter (1983) | [110] | |
| Heather Mills | 1968 | United Kingdom | Campaigner forViva! | [111] | |
| Moby | 1965 | United States | Musician, DJ, releasedAnimal Rights (1996) | [112] | |
| Shaun Monson | 1958 | United States | Director ofEarthlings (2005) | [113] | |
| J. Howard Moore | 1862–1916 | United States | Zoologist, philosopher, educator, social reformer, and author ofThe Universal Kinship (1906) | [114] | |
| José Ferrater Mora | 1912–1991 | Spain | Philosopher, honoured by theFerrater Mora Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics | [115] | |
| Morrissey | 1959 | England | Musician | ||
| Jesús Mosterín | 1941–2017 | Spain | Professor of Logic and Philosophy of Science at theUniversity of Barcelona, honorary president of the SpanishGreat Ape Project | [116] | |
| Ingrid Newkirk | 1949 | United Kingdom | Co-founder and President ofPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [117] | |
| David Nibert | 1953 | United States | Abolitionist, Professor of Sociology atWittenberg University | [118] | |
| Heather Nicholson | 1967 | United Kingdom | Co-founder of theConsort beagles,Hillgrove cats, andSHAC campaigns | [119] | |
| Jack Norris | 1967 | United States | Co-founder and executive director ofVegan Outreach, vegan, author ofVitamin B12: Are You Getting It? andStaying Healthy On Plant-Based Diets,Animal Rights Hall of Fame member | ||
| Martha Nussbaum | 1947 | United States | Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at theUniversity of Chicago | [120] | |
| Natasja Oerlemans | 1969 | Netherlands | Politician,Party for the Animals | [121] | |
| David Olivier | 1956 | France | Philosopher and antispeciesist activist, founder of the journalLes Cahiers antispécistes | [122] | |
| Esther Ouwehand | 1976 | Netherlands | Member of Parliament,Party for the Animals | [123] | |
| Kelly Overton | United States | Executive Director of People Protecting Animals & Their Habitats | [citation needed] | ||
| Alex Pacheco | 1958 | United States | Co-founder ofPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [124] | |
| Colleen Patrick-Goudreau | 1970 | United States | Author, Animal Advocate, Podcaster | ||
| David Pearce | 1959 | United Kingdom | Philosopher, vegan and animal activist | [125] | |
| Jill Phipps | 1964–1995 | England | Animal rights activist, campaigner againstlive export | [126] | |
| Joaquin Phoenix | 1974 | Puerto Rico (United States) | Actor, animal rights activist, narrator ofEarthlings (2005) andDominion (2018) | [127] | |
| James Rachels | 1941–2003 | United States | Philosopher | [128] | |
| Tom Regan | 1938–2017 | United States | Professor emeritus of philosophy atNorth Carolina State University, author ofThe Case for Animal Rights (1983) | [129] | |
| Qiu Renzong | 1933 c. 1933 | China | Bioethicist | [130] | |
| Dorothy Burney Richards | 1894–1985 | United States | Founder ofBeaversprite, director ofDefenders of Wildlife 1948–1976 | [131] | |
| Nathaniel Peabody Rogers | 1794–1846 | United States | Abolitionist writer | [132] | |
| Bernard Rollin | 1943–2021 | United States | Professor of philosophy, animal sciences, and biomedical sciences atColorado State University | [133] | |
| Craig Rosebraugh | 1972 | United States | Writer, environmentalist, animal rights activist | [134] | |
| Zoe Rosenberg | 2002 | United States | Animal sanctuary founder, animal rights activist | [135] | |
| Mark Rowlands | 1962 | Wales | Professor of Philosophy at theUniversity of Miami, author ofThe Philosopher and the Wolf (2008) | [136] | |
| Regan Russell | 1955–2020 | Canada | The second Canadian to be struck by a pig hauling driver; she was killed on scene while attending an animal vigil throughToronto Pig Save | [137] | |
| Richard D. Ryder | 1940 | England | Psychologist, coined the term "speciesism" in 1970 | [138] | |
| Henry Stephens Salt | 1851–1939 | England | Civil-rights campaigner, author ofAnimals' Rights: Considered in Relation to Social Progress (1892) | [139] | |
| Becky Sandstedt | 1960 c. 1960 | United States | Animal rights activist, former investigator forFarm Sanctuary | [140] | |
| Steve F. Sapontzis | 1945 | United States | Professor emeritus of philosophy atCalifornia State University, East Bay, author ofMorals, Reason, and Animals (1987) | [141] | |
| Anuradha Sawhney | India | Head of Indian operations forPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | [142] | ||
| Jérôme Segal | 1970 | France-Austria | Essayist, historian and author ofAnimal radical: Histoire et sociologie de l'antispécisme ("Animal radical: The history and sociology of antispeciesism") | [143] | |
| Rakesh Shukla | 1971 | India | Runs a dog home inBengaluru; formerly a software entrepreneur | [144][145] | |
| Isaac Bashevis Singer | 1902–1991 | Poland | Winner of the 1978Nobel Prize in Literature | [146] | |
| Peter Singer | 1946 | Australia | Philosopher, author ofAnimal Liberation (1975) | [147] | |
| Willie Smits | 1957 | Netherlands | Conservationist, founder of theBorneo Orangutan Survival Foundation | [148] | |
| Amy Soranno | 1993 c. 1993 | Canada | Animal rights activist in British Columbia | [149] | |
| Henry Spira | 1927–1998 | United States | Animal rights activist, founder of Animal Rights International | [150] | |
| Kim Stallwood | 1995 | England | Animal rights activist, European director of theAnimals and Society Institute, former national director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (1987–1992), campaigns officer for the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (1981–1985), and national organizer forCompassion in World Farming (1976–1978), for which he remains a consultant. Founder of the Animal Rights Network (ARN), the world's largest library on animal rights, which became the Animals and Society Institute. Author ofGrowl: Life Lessons, Hard Truths, and Bold Strategies from an Animal Advocate.Lantern Books, 2013. | [151] | |
| Gary Steiner | United States | John Howard Harris Professor of Philosophy atBucknell University | [152] | ||
| William O. Stephens | 1962 | United States | Professor Emeritus of Philosophy atCreighton University | [153] | |
| Pelle Strindlund | 1971 | Sweden | Writer, founding member of the Rescue Service | [154] | |
| Cass Sunstein | 1954 | United States | Professor of Law atHarvard Law School, Administrator of the White HouseOffice of Information and Regulatory Affairs | [155] | |
| David Sztybel | 1967 | Canada | Philosopher, writer | [156] | |
| Sunaura Taylor | 1982 | United States | Artist and writer | [157] | |
| Marianne Thieme | 1972 | Netherlands | Member of Parliament,Party for the Animals | [158] | |
| Darren Thurston | 1970 c. 1970 | Canada | Animal rights activist | [159] | |
| Bob and Jenna Torres | United States | Writers, animal rights and vegan activists | [160] | ||
| Tokugawa Tsunayoshi | 1646–1709 | Japan | The fifthshōgun of the Tokugawa dynasty ofJapan, institutor of animal protection laws in 1695 | [161] | |
| Andrew Tyler | 1946–2017 | United Kingdom | Director ofAnimal Aid | [162] | |
| Jerry Vlasak | 1958 | United States | Physician,Animal Liberation Press Office spokesperson | [163] | |
| John Vyvyan | 1908–1975 | England | Writer, author ofThe Dark Face of Science (1971) | [164] | |
| Alice Walker | 1944 | United States | Writer | [165] | |
| Donald Watson | 1910–2005 | England | Founder of the BritishVegan Society | [166] | |
| Robin Webb | 1945 | England | Spokesperson for the BritishAnimal Liberation Press Office | [167] | |
| Betty White | 1922–2021 | United States | Actress, author, comedian and animal rights activist | ||
| Caroline Earle White | 1833–1916 | United States | Co-founder of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founder of theAmerican Anti-Vivisection Society | [40] | |
| Liz White | 1950 c. 1950 | Canada | Leader of theAnimal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada | [168] | |
| Steven M. Wise | 1950–2024 | United States | Law professor, author ofRattling the Case: Toward Legal Rights for Animals (2000) | [169] | |
| Ursula Wolf | 1951 | Germany | Philosopher, author ofDas Tier in der Moral (1990) | [170] | |
| Philip Wollen | 1950 | India | Australian philanthropist, environmentalist and animal rights activist | ||
| Gretchen Wyler | 1932–2007 | United States | Actress, dancer, animal rights activist, and founder of theGenesis Awards for producing outstanding works which raise public awareness of animal issues | [171] | |
| Jon Wynne-Tyson | 1924–2020 | England | Founder of Centaur Press, author ofThe Extended Circle: A Commonplace Book of Animal Rights (1985) | [172] | |
| Roger Yates | 1957 | England | Sociologist, co-founder of Vegan Ireland: The Vegan Society of Ireland | [173] | |
| Peter Daniel Young | United States | Animal rights activist | [174] | ||
| Gary Yourofsky | 1970 | United States | Animal rights activist and lecturer | [175] | |
| Benjamin Zephaniah | 1958–2023 | England | Rastafari poet, honorary patron ofThe Vegan Society | [176] | |
| Dina Zulfikar | 1962 | Egypt | Film distributor, animal rights activist, co-founder ofSPARE Animal Welfare Society, member ofAnimal welfare and rights in the Netherlands | [177] |
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)For example, recent evidence concerning 'downers' abuse (animals crippled before or during transportation and then dragged) only surfaced when a private individual, Becky Sandstedt, conducted eighteen months of hidden video-taping of handling abuses.Expanded and republished in 1999 as a book under the same title byFarm SanctuaryISBN 978-0-9656377-1-8.