Since its founding, some 35 years ago, In Defense of Animals, thanks to your participation and support, has done and continues to do everything in its power to protect the rights, welfare, and habitats of nonhuman animals, to raise their status beyond mere property, objects, commodities, and things, to end outdated and cruel customs and traditions around the world, and to prevent and end the exploitation, cruelty, and death of other species wherever and whenever it is taking place.

The source of inspiration for IDA’s many campaigns and projects around the world have been the words of St. Francis of Assisi, issued so very many years ago: “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them wherever they require it.” This is quite a mission statement, and quite a challenge for any one organization, group, or society to live up to.

In addition to the millions of individuals around the world who have been inspired by the words and life of St. Francis, it is so very fortunate for our animal friends that the current pope, Pope Francis, has followed in the footsteps of St. Francis by not only taking his name, but by promoting his legacy.

To help spread his words, IDA has created a meme taken from Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Climate Change & Inequality. His statement opens with, “It follows that the indifference and cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings.” Our meme contains the rest of his quote: “We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty toward any creature is contrary to human dignity.” Pope Francis.

We do hope you will share the meme widely, urging others to do the same, for it adds great power to our and your ongoing efforts to make the world a better, kinder, more compassionate, and nonviolent place for all our fellow beings, human and non-human alike.