Sociologist and Social Justice Activist
Through primary socialization, humans are taught to understand, engage with, and fill various social roles as necessary for participation in society. Nonhuman Animals living in or around human societies are often folded into this socialization process. Socially constructed identities may be projected onto other animals and this can lead to considerable stigma for humans and other animals alike. The politics of “pet” adoption illustrate this.
Continue readingDogs and cats should not be conceived of as lockdown hobbies to be bought online like gardening supplies or musical instruments. They are living persons with interests of their own. Breeding can never be “responsible” so long as we disregard their agency. Nor can it be ethical while so many animals who are hidden from our view are destroyed every day to make way for the new season of designer puppies and kittens.
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