History

Voices for Animals of Western Pennsylvania (VFA) was founded in 1997, when it was then known as Friends of Animals, a student organization at the University of Pittsburgh. Since that time the group has grown considerably into a powerful community-based grassroots organization aimed at addressing some of the wrongs forced upon non-human animal beings. From students, to hard-working professionals and retired people, VFA’s volunteers are as diverse as the beings we are working to help.

With hundreds of members, Voices for Animals works hard to affect change for animals at all levels, with a particular focus on the major areas where they are the most abused and exploited and where the largest opportunity for change is: animal agriculture, the clothing industry, companion animal overpopulation and the entertainment industry. VFA achieves this through means of non-violent campaigning, community dialogue, hands-on rescue, public education and direct action.

Mission Statement

In order to help create a society that views animals with respect and treats them with compassion, Voices for Animals of Western Pennsylvania uses non-violent direct action, educational outreach, and hands on rescue to promote justice and ethical consideration for all sentient beings.

Statement of Purpose

1. We aim to unite people within the community who share a similar compassion and understanding for the fate and treatment of animals.
2. We recognize that animals are sentient beings with their own needs, desires and interests in living without unnecessary suffering.
3. We strive to help bring about a world where animals are not exploited, abused, killed, or otherwise harmed due to human indifference, callousness, greed, or ignorance.
4. We seek to challenge human supremacy and speciesism in their many ugly forms in order to see that animals are granted the legal and moral rights they deserve.
5. We promote a vegan lifestyle, striving to live without contributing to the abuse, mistreatment, or premature deaths of animals. We will not participate in or condone any campaign or action that promotes any form of animal agriculture or that would lead the public to the false notion that humane and ethical animal exploitation exists or could be a step in the right direction for the liberation of animals.
   
6. We envision a society where animals are viewed as respected members of our communities, rather than being seen as mere human-owned commodities. Our goal is to educate the Western Pennsylvania community about issues affecting animals and encourage ethical and sustainable lifestyle choices that reflect an underlying ethic of compassion and respect for all sentient beings - regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, gender, age or species.