Statements of support for Animals Count
'Millions of animals continue to be exploited every day for food, consumer products, so-called 'sports' or other forms of entertainment, and as models for human disease. Animals Count is committed to ending animal suffering through political action.'
Twiggy Lawson, super model
'It is time for a full re-evaluation of our role on this planet. Nothing less will be enough. And it cannot be too soon. The time to start is now. I say this as a Scientist and a Human Being. As a scientist, there is no proof available that we are more important than the rest of the sentient creatures on this planet. As a human being ... in my heart, I know that the terrible indignities and pain suffered by these pitiful animals are unjustifiable in humanitarian terms. And do not tell me that the lives of our children depend on torturing these creatures. They have lied to you. They do not. I have all the evidence. And so does the new political party Animals Count, whose aims I support wholeheartedly.'
Dr. Brian May, Musician
'I have long felt that until we begin to treat the animals that share our planet, both wild and domestic, with dignity and respect, we, as a species, will not evolve any further. If we can respect their right to existence, then, hopefully, we can learn to respect our own. Organizations that speak up for the rights of all other creatures have been badly needed. I believe, ‘Animals Count,’ helps to fill that void.
They have my full support.'
Nicholas Ball, Actor
'I have looked at the Website for Animals Count and have spoken to one of the founders of the organization and I have to say that I have been deeply impressed. I am taken with the energy and the commitment of the group, but also by how widely they range. It is important, if we expect people to care about a different species, to demonstrate in our own work that we are not confining our interest to a narrow segment of a problem, but can look at all aspects, close and far. I heartily endorse what Animals Count is doing and I expect to see many political successes in the months to come.'
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Ph.D., author of When Elephants Weep; Dogs Never Lie About Love; The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats; the Pig Who Sang to the Moon, and other books about animal emotions.
'Today's political culture depends on how much money a party has and advertising.
[It is] sad but necessary that a party specifically concerned with animal rights should exist.'
Benjamin Zephaniah, musician and poet
'I was very interested to read about the launch of 'Animals Count'. I wholeheartedly support it as a useful way of campaigning on animal issues.'
Professor Robert Garner, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester
'I wish Animals Count every success. With our first-past-the-post system of election here in the UK [they] will not get any candidate elected, but [they] could pressurise some of the other parties in closely-contested seats.'
Dr Richard Ryder, psychologist, coined the term 'speciesism' in the seventies