Norm Phelps facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Norm Phelps
Born	Norman Nelson Phelps, III May 16, 1939 US
Died	December 31, 2014(2014-12-31) (aged 75) Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown, Maryland, US
Resting place	Maryland
Occupation	Author, animal advocate
Alma mater	University of Maryland, College Park
Period	late 20th century; early 21st century
Genre	Religious philosophy
Subjects	vegetarianism, veganism, animal rights, spirituality
Literary movement	Animal rights; religion and animal rights; religion; animal advocacy
Spouse	Patti Rogers
Children	2, son Nelson and daughter Kyra
Relatives	survived by 5 grandchildren, Quinn Phelps, TJ Bleichner, Haley Phelps, Danny Bleichner and Reagan Bleichner

Norm Phelps (born Norman Nelson Phelps, III; May 16, 1939 – December 31, 2014) was an American animal rights activist, vegetarian, and writer. He helped start the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV). He also worked as an outreach director for the Fund for Animals. Norm Phelps wrote four books about animal rights. These books explored animal rights from different viewpoints.

Norm Phelps' Life and Work

Norm Phelps gave talks at many conferences. These included the National Conference on Organized Resistance and the University of Oregon's Public Interest Environmental Law Conference. He also spoke at several Animal Rights Conferences. He wrote articles and book reviews for various magazines. Some of these were Journal of Critical Animal Studies and VegNews.

Why Norm Phelps Became an Animal Advocate

Norm Phelps became a vegetarian and then a vegan after his dog, Czar, died in 1984. He realized that Czar was like a person, with feelings and a unique personality. This made him wonder if other animals, like cows, pigs, and chickens, also had feelings and deserved respect. He asked, "How could we love some animals and eat others?" This thought changed his life.

Working for Animal Protection

In 1994, Phelps retired from his government job. He then joined The Fund for Animals in Silver Spring, Maryland. There, he worked to stop a live pigeon shoot. This event was held every Labor Day in Hegins, Pennsylvania. Thanks to efforts like his, the shoot ended in 1998.

Later, The Fund for Animals joined with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Phelps then worked for HSUS's wildlife protection team. He worked there until 2011, when he left due to age and health. From 2002 until his death, he had a health condition that caused muscle weakness.

Norm Phelps' Ideas on Animal Rights

Norm Phelps believed the animal rights movement should do a few key things:

• It should involve religious groups in supporting animal rights.
• It should work with other groups fighting for social fairness and environmental protection. This would create a bigger movement for universal rights.
• It should use a "two-track" plan. This means pushing for veganism and ending all animal use. At the same time, it should also support smaller changes. Examples include "Meatless Mondays" and stopping the use of small cages for hens.

Phelps generally did not support extreme actions. However, he did support rescuing animals from farms and labs. In 1994, he was arrested for helping 200 pigeons. These pigeons were going to be used as targets in a shoot. He spent two days in jail for this action.

He lived in Funkstown, Maryland, USA, with his second wife, Patti Rogers. Norm Phelps passed away on December 31, 2014, at 75 years old. He was survived by his wife, Patti Rogers, and his two children, Nelson and Kyra.

Education

• University of Maryland, College Park, BA in history and philosophy, 1958–1962.

See also