Sierra Network
of Animal Advocates



Mission Statement of the
Sierra Network of Animal Advocates (SNAA)

The Sierra Network of Animal Advocates (SNAA) serves as a forum for all Sierra Club members to share information and to formulate and recommend Club policy on all issues relating to wild and domesticated animals.

SNAA educates and inspires Sierra Club members to shift toward a plant-based diet and to take compassionate action for all life on earth, both within and outside the Sierra Club.

All SNAA members share a compassion for animals and an abhorrence of their abuse, torture, and exploitation. We extend this compassion to all animal species, domesticated as well as wild.

SNAA is a community of Club members who support pro-active and strong conservation policies of the Sierra Club to preserve, protect and restore the beleaguered earth and all of its habitats for non-humans as well as for humans.

Although we are blessed to share wild places with wild animals from time to time, we see all beings as belonging to themselves and as a part of their environments, not ours. Therefore, we do not work to save their habitats or work for their protection with the goal of saving them for our enjoyment. Wild animals are not "our" wildlife, anymore than rivers and oceans and forests are "our" rivers and "our" oceans or "our" forests.

We accept the formation of temporary tactical alliances with hunting or fishing groups for specific campaigns. However, we strongly feel that the Sierra Club must not form any long-term partnerships with groups or individuals who abuse or kill animals, especially for "sport," nor should the Club encourage its members to engage in such blood sports. We preserve and protect landscapes because it is right to do so, not to exploit the critters who may dwell therein.

Principles

  1. We recognize that animals are sentient and, as such, deserve to be protected from human-caused suffering, exploitation and death.

  2. We believe that animals have intrinsic worth. They exist for themselves, not as a "resource" for human profit or pleasure.

  3. We view human animals as a part of nature, not separate and above it.

  4. We believe that the most ecologically responsible nutrition is a plant-based vegan or vegetarian diet. Therefore, most of our members choose not to consume, wear or purchase products tested on or made from animals.

Goals

  1. Because agriculture is the single biggest, fastest growing and most damaging use of animals, SNAA wants to raise awareness of the environmental destruction (land, air, water) linked to production of food, as well as the animal suffering inherent in the food industry.

  2. SNAA wants an end to subsidies given to factory farming, aquaculture, ranching, fishing, hunting, and all related industries.

  3. SNAA wants an end to human-initiated predator killings on all public lands. Additionally, SNAA wants all Club policies regarding either wild or domesticated animals to be science-based as well as from the heart.
2 February 2005



"There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother love ever showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties."
John Muir, "Wilderness World"


Last modified 3/26/06