Auckland Animal Action facts for kids
Auckland Animal Action (often called AAA) is a group in Auckland, New Zealand, that works to protect animals. It started in August 1996. A small group of people created AAA because they wanted a local group that would take direct action against animal cruelty. Since then, AAA has worked on many campaigns against different types of animal abuse. One of their most well-known campaigns was "Fur Free Auckland."
Fighting Factory Farming
AAA has also been very active in speaking out against factory farming. This is where animals are kept in large numbers, often in small spaces, to produce food.
- AAA has looked into farms they believe are factory farms.
- They have held protests outside these farms.
- They have also campaigned against big companies, including Tegel Foods Limited.
AAA also helps share information from investigations done by other groups. For example, in January 2007, AAA helped share news about an investigation and animal rescue by the Animal Liberation Front. This news was reported all over New Zealand.
Peaceful Protests
In 2003, AAA used a method called civil disobedience during their campaign against Harpers Fashion. This company was selling products made with fur. Civil disobedience means peacefully refusing to follow certain laws or rules to make a point. Members of AAA chained themselves to the door of the Hartley's store on High Street to protest.
The Possum Fur Campaign
AAA does not agree with selling possum fur, even if it's called "eco-friendly." They believe that promoting possum fur could lead to too much demand, just like it did with rabbits and foxes in the past.
- AAA protested this idea at the 2005 New Zealand Fashion Week.
- Rochelle Rees from AAA said that selling possum fur would create a demand that couldn't be met without harming more animals.
- In 2005, Auckland Animal Action officially started their campaign against possum fur.
Not everyone agrees with AAA's view on possum fur. David Farrar, a blogger, has criticized their stance. He said that AAA believes "to wear a dead animal's skin is disrespectful to the animal." But he also joked that killing trees is disrespectful too, and possums started that!
See also
- Animal welfare in New Zealand
