In Coimbatore recently to promote her new book, “Kids Can Help Animals,” she speaks to Anasuya Menon on the need to make society aware of the importance of animal rights.

“Children are increasingly becoming aware of the need to be kind towards animal. In, fact, I got a lot of suggestions from children for my book,” she says.

Many of them have animals at schools and basically, children are fascinated by animals.

They know what vegetarianism is and they want to get involved in animal affairs.

A lot of children also volunteer for Blue Cross, she adds.

Born in a meat-eating family, Ms.Newkirk witnessed an act of cruelty towards a bullock when she was a child.

The incident refused to leave her mind and she decided to start an organisation for animals at a tender age of seven-and-a-half.

The decision stayed with her in her growing years and PETA was founded in 1980.

The organisation now has about 1.8 million supporters all over the world.

Having spent her childhood years in India, she confesses she has seen some of the worst acts of cruelty towards animals. Ms.Newkirk has led undercover investigations into chicken farming and the leather industry in the country.

She has also followed the cattle route from Tamil Nadu to Kerala.

These illegal transporting of cattle was the worst form of violation of animal rights, she says.

“Examine what you have on your plate and feet.

If they are not derived from animals, you are compassionate towards them,” she adds.

Animals are not to be used as entertainment for human beings. They should be banned at circuses, Ms.Newkirk asserts.

Though most countries have banned the use of animals in circuses, cases of violation were common.

Testing of products on animals was also highly objectionable. Recently, a company had stopped testing their products on animals owing to a strong campaign carried out by children.

“Children are a strong force to reckon with. If we can inculcate a love for animals in them, we can build a peaceful future for animals,” she adds.

She also urges children to start animal protection clubs in their schools if they didn’t have them already.

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