First published 2016
Wayne Pacelle examines how market forces can transform animal treatment across industries. The Humane Society CEO traces economic shifts from New Bedford's whaling boom, when sperm oil sold for $1,400 per half-gallon in current dollars, to today's whale watching tourism. Pacelle argues that consumer decisions create ripple effects throughout interconnected systems affecting animal survival and wellbeing. He demonstrates how choosing local farms over industrial operations, adopting shelter animals rather than puppy mill dogs, avoiding products that destroy wildlife habitats, and selecting Cirque du Soleil over traditional circuses all influence market dynamics. The author connects daily purchasing power to broader economic patterns that either exploit or protect animals. Pacelle presents practical strategies for consumers who want their spending to reflect their values while showing how humane choices often make financial sense. The book reveals how individual actions aggregate into market forces capable of reshaping entire industries, offering readers concrete ways to align their economic behavior with animal welfare goals.
Genres: animals, business, economics, social-issues, non-fiction, activism
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: informative, persuasive
336 pages · Kindle Edition · William Morrow