Why Animals Matter

by Erin E. Williams, Margo Demello

This is a concise yet complete overview of the problems of animal suffering, linking them to larger issues of human and environmental exploitation. Authors Erin E. Williams and Margo DeMello examine industries that exploit animals - meat processing companies and agribusinesses; medical experimentation and cosmetic testing facilities; the entertainment industry (circuses, rodeos, zoos, racing, and film making); the pet industry; the fur and leather industry; and commercial and recreational activities centered on hunting. The authors also consider the adverse environmental effects of animal exploitation from pollution to deforestation and the depletion of biodiversity.In addition, they look at the connections between the poor treatment of animals and human exploitation of immigrants, slaughterhouse and farm workers, as well as the larger issues of globalization, hunger, and the negative consequences for Third World nations. Highly informative yet very reader-friendly, this book not only explores the connections between animal and human suffering, but also integrates solid information with positive case studies of rescued animals and inspiring stories of individual successes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

426 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2007

Reviews

[Mark Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our systematic abuse of non-human animals is so shocking and extensive that it is surprising how few people are even unaware of it. That’s why this book is so indispensable. With this comprehensive survey of animal exploitation, Margo DeMello and Erin Williams -- both longtime activists -- seek to lift the veil of ignorance that sustains a cruel status quo. Product testing, breeding, medical experiments, hunting, blood sports, clothing (fur, wool, leather), and entertainment are all covered in heartbreaking detail. But it’s the authors’ discussion of animals used in food production that truly stands out, introducing readers to practices that some other animal rights books overlook, such as fishing and aquaculture, which they call “underwater factory farming” and observe is the fastest-growing segment of agribusiness.

With prose that is both vivid and insightful, DeMello and Williams invite the reader to reconsider the attitudes many of us hold about animals and the purpose we believe they have for existing. What would our world be like, they ask, if our choices expressed our compassion for the planet and those with whom we share it? “[G]iven what we now know about the lives of animals who die in order to provide us with our food, clothing, and entertainment choices -- the playfulness of pigs, the intelligence of whales, the family values of elephants, and the personal relationships of cows -- it’s difficult to see how we can continue to make these personal choices. How do we proceed knowing how much a pig enjoys grunting to her friends, napping in a soft bed, splashing in a pond, and eating apples with the reality of what many female pigs’ lives are like: trapped inside warehouses, confined in small stalls on concrete floors, with not a bit of straw to cushion herself, and separated from one’s kin -- for her entire life?”

Buoyed with stories of animal survivors and their rescuers, Why Animals Matter offers some hope in a world of despair and is a compelling resource that is certain to widen our circle of compassion. Whether you’re a long-time animal activist or you’re just looking for an outstanding survey of humanity’s offenses against our fellow creatures, this is an extremely reader-friendly guide that every compassionate person should read. Give a copy to everyone you know!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why Animals Matter" is a book that shows how different industries exploit animals.

The book covered a wide variety of industries: food, hunting, fur, medical, pet, and entertainment. There were a lot of thematic similarities to how industries exploit animals. The book gave specifics in each case.

The book has a handy "what can I do" section at the end of each industry. This does two things. First, it makes it hard to make the excuse "what could I do?" Second, it makes the issues more personal because this section connects what has been talked about to your life.

One caveat is that this book was published in 2007 so some of the information is outdated. Despite this, it is an informative look at the trends in these different industries.

[Tyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too simplistic; too much of an information dump of how we use and abuse animals, without going any further. Well researched, sure, but I knew it wasn't going to be for me when within the first 1o or so pages, the authors says they're going to forgo dealing with any "complex philosophical" issues.

There's a lot of ethics and moral issues that surround the topics presented here, but it's entry-level stats-dumping. Feels too basic, hand-wavy and only really appeals to emotion, rather than laying out any substantive arguments. I'll look for other books that want to dig into the meat of the topic, no pun intended.

[Raeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Why Animals Matter” is a fascinating and extremely informative book. It provides tons of details about animal rights and discusses a very broad spectrum of subtopics also pertaining to the subject. Although at some points the amount of information becomes a little overwhelming, the book is organized very well with a thorough table of contents. This book also managed to spark my interest and make me want to do even further research by shedding a light on things that I hadn’t even realized were happening to animals.

I bought this book in order to expand my knowledge on the topic of animal protection for a school project. It provided more than enough information relating to my subject. Obviously the book did include some bias, but the authors did an exceedingly good job at providing their opinions while making sure to not stray away from the facts making this book extremely useful to my research. I think that the book would be boring and not useful for someone uninterested in the topic, but it is a great educational resource and I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is a believer in or advocate of animal rights.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good at outlining animal issues from factory farming, to the fur business, to animals used for entertainment and more. It shows the history of how we viewed animals in the past to the present day and how we exploit them in every way possible for a profit. I believe most people don't have the slightest clue how animals are really treated especially in the food industry. If you want to educate yourself and others I highly suggest this read. It will really open your eyes and hopefully you'll find that you can educate others after you read this book.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bulk of this book is devoted to explaining the many ways in which humanity uses and abuses our fellow creatures, which will already be familiar to seasoned humane advocates.

For newcomers to the issues, this book could be a good educational resource. However, it also suffers from a problem shared by many books of this genre: the information is so relentless and densely packed, it can serve to overwhelm readers rather than empower them. Karen Dawn's "Thanking the Monkey" managed to present a similar subject in a more newbie-friendly way.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's depressing and sad to know that in the 5 years since this book was written not much has improved in the animal world or in their quality of life. This book is very detailed about what it's like to live as an animal in the different industries in which man eploits them: meat, hunting, fur,experimentation,pets, and entertainment. This reads more like a textbook but also implores us to see "why" they do matter. Well researched and written.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of useful information about animal protection issues presented in a clear, compelling fashion by two experts who know how to write.

[Jayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book on why animals matter, no pun intended!

[Paula C Paluch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preaching to the choir. Good start for less meat eating diets.