Animal Rights
Liz Jones on Animal Rights Activism, Undercover Investigations, and Ethical Rescue
Marine biologist and animal rights activist Liz Jones discusses direct-action activism, how to identify a legitimate animal sanctuary versus exploitative wildlife tourism, undercover investigations into ag-gag states, and the little-known ritual slaughter practice of Kaporos in Brooklyn.
Topics Covered
- Liz's path from pescetarian to ethical vegan to marine biology graduate student and activist near the Miami Seaquarium
- The case for and against direct-action and disruption tactics (slaughterhouse shutdowns, restaurant disruptions) within the animal rights movement
- Speciesism explained, and how it parallels other forms of systemic bias
- How to identify a legitimate farm animal sanctuary versus exploitative wildlife tourism (selfies with drugged big cats, elephant riding, baby monkey photo ops)
- Ag-gag laws in states like North Carolina and Iowa that criminalize undercover filming of factory farms and slaughterhouses
- Kaporos: the Yom Kippur-adjacent ritual in which tens of thousands of chickens are swung and slaughtered in Brooklyn streets, and the health code violations and alternatives being raised within the Jewish community
- Companion animals versus breeding: why Liz always advocates adoption and uses the term 'companion animal' rather than 'pet'
- Invasive species policy, and why Liz advocates sterilization and relocation over lethal culling
- Practical resources for South Florida wildlife rescue, including Pelican Harbor Seabird Station and South Florida Wildlife Center
About the Guest
Liz Jones is a marine biologist (University of Miami's Rosenstiel School) and animal rights activist based in South Florida, known for undercover investigative work, wildlife rescue, and advocacy against exploitative animal tourism. She can be found on Instagram at ethically_elizabeth.