"Today, together with a growing appreciation of the importance of human rights, there is a greater awareness worldwide of the need for the protection not only of the environment, but also of animals and their rights.

Where there is mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure and joy. No sentient being wants pain, instead all want happiness.

Since we all share these feelings at some basic level, we as rational human beings have an obligation to contribute in whatever way we can to the happiness of other species and try our best to relieve their fear and sufferings."

Tenzin Gyatso, The Dalai Lama