Animal rights is the view that animals have rights corresponding to those of humans. Animal cruelty is a global and multidimensional social problem. Animals are generally mistreated in four main areas: factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories and in the entertainment industry (PETA.org). Factories often hide their harmful acts to avoid government-imposed animal welfare laws. In a household, people isolate or physically abuse their animals, which can also be linked to family abuse. Laboratories test on animals for products and treatments, but the animals face appalling conditions for long periods, often killing those on whom they are tested. In entertainment, animals suffer after being domesticated for our entertainment in the form of media, amusement parks, or facilities (McPhedran). With the help of animal rights activist groups, animal cruelty conflicts with the ideology that animals have the right to their own lives, without suffering. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is a social movement organization founded to advocate for animal rights. Their claim is that animal abuse must be stopped universally. There are over 3 million PETA members and supporters who belong to this organization. Using a condensed symbol, PETA members believe in the slogan: "Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or otherwise abuse" (PETA.org). This organization was founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. (PETA.org). In 1981, PETA became involved with its first case study that attracted public attention. In Silver Spring, Maryland, an investigation was conducted into the experiments conducted in... half of the document... questionable because their harsh approach often alienates those whose help they need. They tend to portray all people and companies as evil and mass murderers. As a result of these confrontations, people are often reluctant to work with a group that is so harshly opposed to them. There are other effective, non-controversial ways to stop abuse and reform the problems that arise from animal abuse. Through better, strictly enforced and regulated animal cruelty laws, there will be a greater chance of upholding animal rights. Works CitedBest, Joel. Social problems. Second ed. New York: WW Norton &, 2013. Print.McPhedran, Samara. “Animal Abuse, Family Violence, and Child Welfare: A Review.” Journal of Family Violence 24.1 (2009): 41-52.Plous, Scott. "A survey of the attitudes of animal rights activists." Psychological science 2.3 (1991): 194-196.