?Imagine being beaten, forced into things you did not want to do, and left to die. This is how many innocent animals are treated every day. What is animal cruelty? Wikipedia states: ‘Cruelty to animals or animal abuse is the infliction of suffering or harm upon animals, other than humans, for purposes other than self-defense.’ There is a growing concern on the treatment and well-being of animals. Many individuals believe that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans. This statement holds true because all animals feel pain and have feelings, equality should exist in all forms, and harming animals affects us as well as the animals themselves. ?Being kind to animals is essential because just like humans, animals are sensitive creatures. There should be an Established Ethical Standard for the treatment of animals, because just like humans, animals have feelings too. Most people could not fathom the idea of losing their child in the wake of giving birth, but this is what most farm raised animals are forced to do. Mothers should be able to keep their young until they are old enough to survive on their own, just like in the wild. Most young animals aren’t even given a chance to live before sent to a neighborhood slaughter house. Whether they have fur, skin, or feathers, animals have families that they need to tend to, just as the lion’s share of Americans do. As said by one of the most famous vegetarians, “the basic principle of equality does not require equal or identical treatment, it requires equal consideration” (Peter Singer). All animals have an inherent worth, and it is wrong to believe that all nonhuman animals exist purely for human use. Every single soul, whether it inhabits a human or animal, has a heart and a brain. Putting animals through cruel acts and punishments is unfair for several reasons. Most animals are at a disadvantage against humans because the human race is superior in terms of strength and intelligence. Although this is true, that does not give humans the right to harm animals, simply because they cannot defend themselves. The attraction to powerfulness and domestication against innocent animals is sickening. Harming animals not only leaves them in distress, but also causes psychological problems, which can lead to many other problems such as depression or stress. This not only leaves it with many bad memories and feelings, but also affects the animal’s well-being. All animals are unique and beautiful in their own way, and the majority of them have kind spirits. A loving and loyal owner’s dog would never hurt their master, simply because they give back the love and kindness they receive, just as most animals do. The World needs to keep in mind that although animals do not match up to the human species on certain levels, they are just as important. Speciesism allows the interest of the dominant group to override the greatness of other species; and as we can see, this is the case all across the country. Individuals as close as your next-door neighbor and as far as around the world all need to begin to take action against cruelty to animals simply because, “I have rights, y