What are some expert opinions on animal rights?

Answer 1

Animals are protected under the law, but in general their individual rights have no protection. There are criminal laws against cruelty to animals, laws that regulate the keeping of animals in cities and on farms, the transit of animals internationally, as well as quarantine and inspection provisions. These laws are designed to protect animals from unnecessary physical harm and to regulate the use of animals as food. In the common law, it is possible to create a charitable trust and have the trust empowered to see to the care of a particular animal after the death of the benefactor of the trust. Some individuals create such trusts in their will. Trusts of this kind can be upheld by the courts if properly drafted and if the testator is of sound mind. There are several movements in the UK campaigning to require the British parliament to award greater protection to animals. The legislation, if passed, will introduce a duty of care, whereby a keeper of an animal would commit an offence if he or she fails to take reasonable steps to ensure an animal’s welfare. This concept of giving the animal keeper a duty towards the animal is equivalent to granting the animal a right to proper welfare. The draft bill is supported by an RSPCA campaign.

Try: http://www.peta.org/
http://www.animalconcerns.org/
http://animal-rights.com/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Zoology/Animals__Insects__and_Pets/Animal_Rights/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_rights

Answer 2

Here are some sites that may help you:

http://www.peta.org/
http://www.animallaw.info/
http://www.animal-law.org/
http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?tax_level=1&info_center=3
http://worldanimal.net/