Explores the relevance of human-animal relations to sociology, arguing that sociology’s disregard for the human-made oppression of animals is problematic, and puts forward arguments for why sociology should include the study of animals and be harnessed to advocate on their behalf.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“This paper focuses on sociology and the study of human non-human animal relations. Using as a catalyst referees’ comments on a previous paper about experiments using non-human animal subjects, in this present paper three problematics are identified and discussed. These problematics centre on the ‘acceptable’ content of sociological inquiry, the ‘permissibility’ of advocacy-oriented sociology, and the ‘admissibility’ of non-human animal-advocacy to advocacy-oriented sociology. The three problematics are explored through the lens of reflexive and critical sociology. Two central questions are raised: first, should sociology include the study of nonhuman animals and secondly, can sociology advocate for non-human animals? The paper concludes with an affirmative response to both of these questions.The paper ends by stressing that sociology has so much to offer the study of human non-human animal relations. Professional sociologists have a key role to play in enabling this work to move from margins to centre in published sociology.”