The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals

by Wayne Pacelle

Overview

A major new exploration of the economics of animal exploitation and a practical roadmap for how we can use the marketplace to promote the welfare of all living creatures, from the renowned animal-rights advocate Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and New York Times bestselling author of The Bond.

In the mid-nineteenth century, New Bedford, Massachusetts was the whaling capital of the world. A half-gallon of sperm oil cost approximately $1,400 in today’s dollars, and whale populations were hunted to near extinction for profit. But with the advent of fossil fuels, the whaling industry collapsed, and today, the area around New Bedford is instead known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

This transformation is emblematic of a new sort of economic revolution, one that has the power to transform the future of animal welfare. In The Humane Economy, Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, explores how our everyday economic decisions impact the survival and wellbeing of animals, and how we can make choices that better support them. Though most of us have never harpooned a sea creature, clubbed a seal, or killed an animal for profit, we are all part of an interconnected web that has a tremendous impact on animal welfare, and the decisions we make—whether supporting local, not industrial, farming; adopting a rescue dog or a shelter animal instead of one from a “puppy mill”; avoiding products that compromise the habitat of wild species; or even seeing Cirque du Soleil instead of Ringling Brothers—do matter. The Humane Economy shows us how what we do everyday as consumers can benefit animals, the environment, and human society, and why these decisions can make economic sense as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062389664
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/19/2016
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

As president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Wayne Pacelle leads the largest and most effective animal protection organization and one of the most dominant, high-impact non-profit groups of any kind. Placing special emphasis on transforming public policies and corporate behavior, he has been a primary strategist in securing the enactment of hundreds of state and federal animal-protection laws and helped drive reforms adopted by many of America’s biggest for-profit companies.  He’s been named an “Executive of the Year” by The Non-Profit Times; a contributor to influential newspapers and magazines, including Foreign Affairs; and author of the New York Times bestseller The Bond: Our Kindship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them. His blog, A Humane Nation, is published each weekday.  He received his B.A. in history and environmental studies from Yale University in 1987. Pacelle lives in Maryland with his wife Lisa Fletcher, a journalist, and their dog Lily and cat Zoe.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

1 Pets and GDP (the Gross Domesticated Product) 1

The Beagle Has Landed 1

Smart Ideas at PetSmart and Petco 8

Puppy Mills and "Old School" Pet Stores 20

Breaking the Chain of Dogfighting 27

2 Big Ag Gets Its Hen House in Order 33

A Capitalist Revolution Frees the Pigs 33

Assault and Battery Cage 48

3 The Chicken or the Egg-or Neither? 68

Meat With, and Without, a Heart 68

Planting a Steak in the Ground 80

Egg Beaters 93

4 Now, That's Entertainment 103

CGI and the New Era of Film 103

Ringling Relents 116

See World in a New Way 130

5 Animal Testing Yields to Humane Science 149

A Compact with Our Wild Cousins 149

Animal Testing Disrupted 164

6 The Visible Hand and the Free Market: Humane Wildlife Management in the United States 184

Wolves and Alpha Returns 184

Family Planning and the Future of Wildlife Management 204

7 Global Growth Stocks: Elephants, Lions, Great Apes, Whales, Sharks, and Other Living Capital 218

Saving the Giants of the African Economy 218

Diversifying Our Holdings in Wildlife Stocks 244

Conclusion: High Yield Bonds 252

Perfect Information, Better Outcomes 252

Clinching the Case, Stepping into the Future 263

Ten Things You Can Do to Contribute to the Humane Economy 283

Acknowledgments 287

Notes 293

Index 335

Editorial Reviews

07/11/2016
In his new book, Pacelle (The Bond), the president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, provides a comprehensive look at how technological innovation and compassion are steering American businesses toward more humane treatment of animals. Pacelle devotes much of his space to case studies showing how entrepreneurs, political leaders, and corporate executives are devising ways to stay profitable while keeping animal welfare in mind. He explores, for example, the problems of pet overpopulation and unethical breeding through the case studies of Petco and PetSmart, two major corporations that stopped doing business with puppy mills and opted to partner with animal shelters for in-store pet adoptions. Throughout the book, Pacelle appeals to the human conscience, noting how conscious consumers and voters have propelled the economic forces that encourage changes in business practices and inspire technological innovation. He provides practical solutions and lifestyle changes so that business owners and consumers can ensure that animals are treated humanely at all times. Pacelle successfully instills hope that people and businesses can and will continue to devise ways to ensure humane treatment of animals even during uncertain economic times. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

The Humane Economy is a brilliant book that celebrates the truth: our economic wellbeing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of animals. This book is an important moral and pragmatic blueprint for humane, enlightened prosperity for all.” — U.S. Senator Cory Booker

“Invigorating. ... Pacelle has accomplished remarkable things with his business-friendly, non-confrontational approach, and anyone concerned with the lives and deaths of animals should be grateful he’s out there.” — Salon

“[A] fascinating read about big thinkers, investors and others who are seeking new ways of doing business with less animal suffering.” — Kathleen Parker, Chicago Tribune

“[An] excellent new book. ... This is a humane revolution, and Pacelle... has been at the forefront of it. ... At a time when the world is a mess, Pacelle outlines a hopeful vision.” — Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

“Essential reading for anyone interested in animal welfare. This fabulous book reveals the inside story of how the fight against human cruelty to animals is gradually being won. A fascinating, highly readable, and remarkably comprehensive book.” — Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

“A critically important read for anyone who cares about business succes or animals — or, like so many of us, both.” — Jack Welch, founder of the Jack Welch Management Institute

“The Humane Economy reminds us that in order to reach their highest ethical potential, businesses must embrace the values of protecting animals and eliminating cruelty. I recommend this book to every consumer and corporate CEO. It’s a 21st century blueprint for both conscious business and social progress.” — John Mackey, co-CEO and founder, Whole Foods Market

“The Humane Economy traces the economic impact of the public’s concern for animals across a wide range of animal abuses.” — Peter Singer, The New York Review of Books

“An important book. I would urge you to purchase it and learn for yourself how the welfare of animals is changing the world.” — Cathy Kangas, Huffington Post

“Shines a light on the ways leaders are stepping up, innovating, and transforming the economy to make the world a better place—for humans and for animals.” — Mark R. Tercek, President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy, America's largest environmental charity

“A compelling book with a special message.” — Fred Barnes, Wall Street Journal

“A beacon of hope… [and] a must-read book.” — Chattanooga Pulse

“[In] a hopeful follow-up to his 2011 best seller, The Bond, Pacelle explores how innovative entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 CEOs, and scientists are rallying around this social movement and leading us forward by eliminating cruel historic practices.” — Philadelphia Style

“Pacelle presents impressive evidence of successful campaigns that have helped reduce the suffering of many nonhuman animals. ... These victories are real, and more will follow.” — Foreign Affairs

“An eloquent new book... by the innovative president/CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle.” — Georgie Anne Geyer, The Auburn Citizen

“For anyone who cares about an issue, but thinks it’s too big or unwieldy to ever make a dent, Pacelle’s approach to animal welfare will be inspirational.” — Michael Ian Black, How to Be Amazing

“[Pacelle’s] book is a call to clothe, feed, and entertain people without victimizing animals.” — Forbes

From the Publisher

A critically important read for anyone who cares about business succes or animals — or, like so many of us, both.

Jack Welch

[A] fascinating read about big thinkers, investors and others who are seeking new ways of doing business with less animal suffering.

Kathleen Parker

The Humane Economy reminds us that in order to reach their highest ethical potential, businesses must embrace the values of protecting animals and eliminating cruelty. I recommend this book to every consumer and corporate CEO. It’s a 21st century blueprint for both conscious business and social progress.

John Mackey

An important book. I would urge you to purchase it and learn for yourself how the welfare of animals is changing the world.

Cathy Kangas

[An] excellent new book. ... This is a humane revolution, and Pacelle... has been at the forefront of it. ... At a time when the world is a mess, Pacelle outlines a hopeful vision.

Nicholas Kristof

The Humane Economy is a brilliant book that celebrates the truth: our economic wellbeing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of animals. This book is an important moral and pragmatic blueprint for humane, enlightened prosperity for all.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker

The Humane Economy traces the economic impact of the public’s concern for animals across a wide range of animal abuses.

Peter Singer

Shines a light on the ways leaders are stepping up, innovating, and transforming the economy to make the world a better place—for humans and for animals.

Mark R. Tercek

Invigorating. ... Pacelle has accomplished remarkable things with his business-friendly, non-confrontational approach, and anyone concerned with the lives and deaths of animals should be grateful he’s out there.

Salon

Essential reading for anyone interested in animal welfare. This fabulous book reveals the inside story of how the fight against human cruelty to animals is gradually being won. A fascinating, highly readable, and remarkably comprehensive book.

Jane Goodall

[Pacelle’s] book is a call to clothe, feed, and entertain people without victimizing animals.

Forbes

A compelling book with a special message.

Fred Barnes

An eloquent new book... by the innovative president/CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle.

Georgie Anne Geyer

A beacon of hope… [and] a must-read book.

Chattanooga Pulse

Pacelle presents impressive evidence of successful campaigns that have helped reduce the suffering of many nonhuman animals. ... These victories are real, and more will follow.

Foreign Affairs

[In] a hopeful follow-up to his 2011 best seller, The Bond, Pacelle explores how innovative entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 CEOs, and scientists are rallying around this social movement and leading us forward by eliminating cruel historic practices.

Philadelphia Style

For anyone who cares about an issue, but thinks it’s too big or unwieldy to ever make a dent, Pacelle’s approach to animal welfare will be inspirational.

Michael Ian Black