Resources: Talking point - Does animal cruelty bother young people?

Use the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina to focus young people's minds. Horses, alligators and dolphins, as well as pet cats and dogs, were among the creatures swept away by the storms. How important is it to rescue them? How much of the relief effort would they allocate to reducing the suffering of animals while thousands of people are still missing? Which of those animals would they prioritise and why?

Talk about animals in the food production industry. Does cruelty bother young people? Vegetarians are challenged often about their inconsistencies - refusing meat but wearing leather. For a change, look at the inconsistencies in meat eaters. Why are some people who happily eat fried chicken unwilling to eat guinea-pig pizza or gerbil tikka masala?