The National Museum of Animals & Society Promotes a Greater Vision of a Planet in which all its Inhabitants are Inherently Valued.
Every social movement has a museum dedicated, or partially dedicated to its cause, such as civil rights and labor. One of today’s great humanitarian movements is animal protection and the museum supporting this cause is The National Museum of Animals & Society. This museum first opened its doors in a small gallery space on Melrose in East Los Angeles. Now it is planning to relocate to a much larger space on Museum Row in Miracle Mile to join this cultural destination with institutions that educate, inspire, and enlighten.
The goal of the museum is to continue presenting animal protection issues and exploring our relationship with animals by presenting eye-opening information through world-class, curated exhibits that are friendly to a wide audience.
Some facts and figures related to key exhibits include:
Animals in Entertainment
Elephants are widely regarded to be the third most intelligent mammal. They roam up to 30 miles a day in the wild, foraging in large familial groups. In contrast, in zoos and circuses they are forced to live in solitary or small groups with little activity or emotional stimulation, causing great physical and emotional suffering.
Pet Overpopulation and Puppy Mills
According to the Humane Society, 99% of the dogs sold in pet stores or online come from inhumane and overcrowded breeding facilities commonly called puppy mills. This is appalling, especially considering the high euthanization rates in shelters, where at least 25% of the dogs are purebred. While Los Angeles kill rates have been dropping due to concerted efforts in the animal rescue community, 12,680 dogs and cats were euthanized by Los Angeles Animal Services in the fiscal year ending June 2014. Adopt, don’t shop!
Cosmetic Testing
Choose cruelty-free cosmetics not tested on animals so you are not supporting the use of 67,000 dogs in painful and unnecessary experiments (80-90% of these tests are for household products and cosmetics).
Animals in Fashion
Pelts from up to 100 animals are used to manufacture a full-length fur coat. With all the fabulous faux alternatives available today, there is no reason to contribute to the needless suffering of fur-bearing animals for fashion and vanity.
These are only a few of the issues addressed through education and exhibits at the museum. Animal Place founder and executive director Kim Sturla says, “It is the first museum of its kind; promoting an ethic of compassion, while exploring the interconnectedness of animals and people.”
Support the museum’s efforts by attending the star-studded Museum Gala, Saturday, June 6 at 6:30pm at the Olympic Collection in West Los Angeles. Enjoy cocktails followed by a gourmet vegan dinner, live and silent auction, entertainment and more. Outspoken vegan and animal rights activist Moby is the evening’s special honoree. For tickets or to learn more, visit: museumofanimals.org.
Ellen Lavinthal is the Co-Chairperson of The National Museum of Animals & Society. An animal advocate for more than 25 years, she is the founder of Animal Alliance, a Los Angeles-based animal rescue and advocacy organization; co-organizer of Fur Free WEHO which brought about the recent ban on the sale of fur in West Hollywood; and the recipient of Worldfest 2012 “Activist of the Year” award: animalalliance.org.
