An Attitude Survey Of Animal Rights Activists
The survey was conducted among attendees of an animal rights rally in Washington DC. Animal rights activists were defined to be those who identified themselves as animal rights activists, described themselves as participants in the animal rights movement, indicated a belief in the philosophy of animal rights, or traveled from another state expressly to join the march.
Demographically, all animal activists were white, 80% were female, and the average age was 34 years. Respondents came from more than 40 states, Canada and the United Kingdom. Activists have been involved in the movement for an average of slightly more than 6 years, 18% follow a vegan diet, 45% follow a vegetarian diet, 28% follow a semi-vegetarian diet, and 9% were not vegetarian.
By activism, survey respondents feel the animal rights movement should focus on (Activists, Non-activists):
- Animals used in research (54%, 26%)
- Animals used for food (24%, 8%)
- Animals used for clothing or fashion (12%, 22%)
- Animals in the wild (5%, 30%)
- Animals used in sports or for entertainment (4%, 14%)
- Animals used in education (1%, 0%)
Activist views vary sharply from non-activist views (Activists, Non-activists)
- Value nonhuman life as much as human life (80%, 31%)
- Wanted to eliminate all animal research (85%, 15%)
- Were in favor of laboratory break-ins (60%, 14%)
https://secure.socialpsychology.org/pdf/ps1991.pdf