Quotes from Ingrid Newkirk

Bulls can do nothing to demand justice. They can only defend themselves as best they can in a fight with a pre-determined ending and die never knowing why they were forced to endure such a painful and prolonged death. It's up to us, as a civilized society, to call for an end to the Running of the Bulls and bullfighting.

Never doubt that one person can make a difference.

Elephants have the largest brains of any mammal on the face of the Earth. They are creative, altruistic and kind.

To me, it is one world, and the non-human animals bear the brunt of oppression and suffering.

Pet ownership is slavery. Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or be entertained by.

Pet ownership is an absolutely abysmal situation brought about by human manipulation.

In the end, I think it would be lovely if we stopped this whole notion of pets altogether.

I don't use the word 'pet.' I think it's speciest language. I prefer 'companion animal.' We would no longer allow... pet shops... Eventually companion animals would be phased out.

One day, we would like an end to pet shops and the breeding of animals.

I have to think of the positive; that's how I cope.

Anybody who witnesses the suffering of animals and has a glimmer of hope of reducing that suffering can't take the position that it's all or nothing. We have to be pragmatic. Screw the principle.

If we are ever to halt climate change and conserve land, water and other resources, not to mention reduce animal suffering, we must celebrate Earth Day every day - at every meal.

Today, I marvel at the vegan foods in the supermarket, at the cruelty-free clothing choices in stores, and at the fantastic alternatives to dissection in schools, the modern ways to test medicines without killing rabbits and beagles, the many forms of entertainment involving purely human performers.

It's interesting that one of the definitions of the word 'human' is 'sympathetic.' More and more people are beginning to show that they understand why that is important.

Eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship - enjoyment at a distance.

A lot of people have culturally induced ethical blindness, but they can be cured!

The smallest form of life, even an ant or a clam, is equal to a human being

We all have prejudices to dispel: the need to get away from thinking that 'I' am important and special and 'you' are not, and the frightened mindset that tells us that certain 'others' are of no consequence.

We do not advocate 'right to life' for animals.

Fortified plant-based milks are delicious and contain all the calcium, protein, and vitamin D of dairy products but with none of the cholesterol, lactose, hormones, or cruelty found in cow's milk.

Being asked to support humane meat means being asked to support the suffering of animals in transport, to approve of treatment that causes them palpable fear, their bodies shaking and their eyes wide as saucers, as they are slung by their legs into crates that are slammed onto the back of a truck.

I hope SeaWorld is exploring how, like Ringling, it can get out of the wild animal business.

All of us in society are supposed to believe that cruelty to animals is wrong and that it is a good thing to prevent needless suffering. So if that is true, how can meat be acceptable under any but the most extraordinary circumstances, such as perhaps roasting the bird who died flying into a window?

Ninety-five percent of the eggs produced in America come from factory-farmed birds. Even if free-range farms were hugely more humane, the sheer number of animals raised to satisfy people's desire for eggs, meat, and milk makes it impossible for us to raise them all on small, free-range farms.