Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights

Folks who support animal rights are likely to make vegetarian and vegan dietary choices. The dietary choice is consistent with and logically follows the committment to animal rights and animal welfare.

On the flip side, there are many who pursue vegetarian and vegan dietary choices for reasons that have nothing to do with animal rights and welfare. Often these folks are concerned with protecting their health or addressing particular medical concerns. They may have no interest in animal rights and may take issue with the actions of many animal rights activists and organizations.

There is also the issue whether animal welfare and animal rights issues are identical. Some say yes and some say no. Some say there are only incremental differences. Some distinguish between the two based on whether they accept the concept that an animal can be property. Others make the distinction based n whether they think animals are sentient beings.

Dietary choices do not necessarily refect a support for animal rights activism and issues. Those who are committed to and support animal rights ought to encourage vegetarian and vegan dietary choices regardless of their motivation.