Rachel and Mazzy

One thing that really stuck out in Rachel's presentation was the history of the animal welfare movement. I was really surprised that it did not start with cats or dogs, but horses. Carriage horses' treatment being compared to that of prize/companion horses by so many people (after basically being started by a couple unique individuals) is really amazing and progressive. After reading about feeling and capacities in the AER, I felt that non-human animal emotions was a new movement, and that people like Dawkins were changing the movement by introducing the topic. However, it seems that it was the basis of the welfare movement. If those who had companion horses did not care or have compassion for how carriage horses were treated, who knows where we would be in this journey.

Another point that Rachel reiterated, but it was mentioned in classes a few times, is the importance of women in the welfare movement. As Dr. Featherston had mentioned, a lot of the "leaders" are men, but the mover and shakers are women. Rachel spoke about the suffragettes who helped stop "research" operations on animals. Throughout history for many other controversial issues, women are the ones that help campaign for progress and equality. This brings some hope that over time, there will be better treatment of all animals.