With regards to 'walking the walk', I think it has been made clear here that not only AAS, but most of its members DO walk the walk, but not in a way that some people seem to understand.

The abolition of slavery - whether human or other animals, is being practised right here on these pages and in our homes. As I posted back in 2007, time and again I have written about this subject; allow me to try once more.

Humans have always had the urge to conquer and control every creature of the world - from horses to insects and other people. We now understand just how misguided we have been, and are now attempting to rectify our mistakes and enducate others who still don't understand how wrong our actions have been.

Rather than simply owning and enjoying our 'pets', we on this board are acting the way the underground railway did for escaping human slaves - we are sheltering those who have been mistreated and allowing them to live out their lives in safety and comfort. Our 'captives' have at least liberated from the abuse of their original, cruel owners and re-homed to us who at least show them love and compassion. Would those who disagree with our methods of rescue wish us to kill our emancipated charges?

We must give our enslaved creatures as good a life in captivity as we are able; that means not continuing to force them into unnatural acts such as 'showing', breeding more generations of slaves, not riding them nor forcing them into labour for us. Notice the part about breeding: not one more animal should be bringing new generations of their kind into existence for our amusement and usage.

We must then assure that each species will remain free in their own natural habitat. That is why we are major proponents of spaying and neutering.

As always, I am not advocating turning our current domesticated critters out onto the pavement to fend for themselves. We must support and maintain the lands where these creatures once roamed free, as they were before mankind made other decisions for them. We humans are the sole cause of the invention of the endangered species list; we have pillaged and exploited the land, seas and air that once belonged to wildlife. We must now ensure that this selfish behaviour does not continue in any aspect.

I am aware that this will not happen in my lifetime, therefore I will continue to take in the existing creatures who need rescue, knowing that there is an endless supply to be loved and cared for, thanks to humans' greed.