It must be kept in mind that humans are animals, no more, no less. Perhaps humans are animals that are a bit more conscious than most other animals, but even that is debatable. Prejudice, as stated in the PETA section posted by Char Olsen, is not the problem that humans face: ignorance and/or greed are the motivators. It must also be kept in mind that, along with an enhanced consciousness, greater responsibility becomes a requisite. All senitent beings on earth are animals, therefore, basic rights are theirs inherently. Those rights can be stated as they are in the U.S. Declaration of Independance: the rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Most human sentient animals would be appalled by the consideration that those rights should be applied to the cow on their dinner plates or the the chickens at KFC or the beavers causing traffic problems in Langley or the cetaceans at the Vancouver Aquarium or the fish in fish bowls or the etcetera etcetera etcetera. Nevertheless, if one sentient being is denied its basic rights, the rights of all sentient beings are compromised. There is no way around that fact. The only thing that will bring about the recognition of rights for all sentient beings is the acceptance of the fact that the only violator of those rights, the human animal, recognizes the need for and adherence to a Universal Charter of Human Responsibilities. It might be added that those who are mandated with the responsibility to enforce animal rights, human or otherwise, and fail that responsibility are the most despicable of any animals.