988. A Day in the Life: What’s It Really Like to Be an Animal Rights Activist?

“I was into animals at a very early age. When I was growing up my dog, Peggy, was absolutely my best friend. She inspired me in so many ways. I remember sitting on the stairs one day when I was 12 looking at her and thinking how much feeling and wisdom I could see in her eyes. I realized then that all animals are sentient beings–they feel deeply and care deeply. I could no longer eat animals after that. My belief in animals and their rights continued to grow from that day on.”

Nina Jackel is an activist and journalist affecting change for animals through her non-profit media organization, Lady Freethinker, dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans, and the planet. Nina believes that humans can evolve for the better through reason and compassion and feels that the issue of animal rights is among the most important social justice issues of our time: one that is centuries behind and overdue for advancement. She seeks to achieve this social evolution by exposing injustice, educating the public, and working to change the laws and policies that allow abuse and neglect of all species to go on.