New Zealand’s animal advocacy organisation, SAFE, recently asked me and other animal advocates throughout the world three questions to present to attendees of their forthcoming national animal rights conference. I thought I would share them with you.

Question 1: If you could give a message for New Zealand animal activists what would you say?

The single greatest challenge we face is understanding animal rights is more than just an optional, cruelty-free vegan lifestyle choice. Moral and legal rights for animals are also the responsibility of government. We must embed animal rights into public policy as a key value.

Question 2: What has been the campaign highlight of the past year?

It is unfair to single out anyone campaign highlight because each day every single act for animals is a noteworthy achievement.

3. What keeps you going?

My four key values in animal rights are (1) Truth, our ethical relationship with animals; (2) Compassion, our motivation to helping animals; (3) Nonviolence, our values in the relationship we have with animals; (4) Interbeing (the interconnectedness of all), our commitment to social justice for animals. My challenge is to learn continually how to put my key values into practice. This is what keeps me going.