Proposal
Animal workers (meaning individuals who work for animals and animal issues) are interested in being trained to respond to questions from the public on animals in ethics, society and politics. They are able to argue in short on what is legally allowed, not allowed and what is ethically doubtful on actual subjects such as the use and abuse of the “Big Five” (meaning companion animals, wild animals, animals in experiments, farm and sports animals). They know the basics of the opinion-making process in society, how to gain majorities in changing attitudes towards animals, and in proposing laws that are more animal-friendly and supporting the draft to get it passed at local level.
More information
Idea behind this:
Animal workers play a very important role in society and represent animal issues. They are often the most important factor for the animals that they are taking care of. They can also influence society by bringing animals into the legal and ethical boat. This helps people accept that animals matter and concern us all. Beside personal opinions on the freedom of animals, meat eating and animal testing, the actual legal framework should be known by animal workers. They should also understand ways of how to change the opinion into – legally binding – majorities in the law-making process.
Side effects:
The animal issue is taken more seriously if representatives know the views of the animal’s owners and their supporters, the reasoning for better animal conditions and the how to gain majorities for animal-friendly issues.
Alternatives:
The change process for animals can be outsourced to PR campaigners, lawyers and lobbyists. This way might be necessary and cannot be replaced by competent animal workers on a local basis.
