The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals

by Jennie Richards · Published July 8, 2017 · Updated December 8, 2017

The Humane Economy explores the economics of animal exploitation and is a practical roadmap for how we can use the marketplace to promote the welfare of all living creatures, from the renowned animal-rights advocate Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and New York Times bestselling author of The Bond. This transformation is emblematic of a new sort of economic revolution, one that has the power to transform the future of animal welfare.

In The Humane Economy, Pacelle explores how our everyday economic decisions impact the survival and well-being of animals, and how we can make choices that better support them. Though most of us have never killed a cow or chicken to eat, clubbed a seal or skinned a rabbit for fur, or killed an animal for profit, we are all part of an interconnected web that has a tremendous impact on animal welfare, and the decisions we make—whether supporting local versus industrial farming; adopting a rescue or shelter dog instead of one from a breeder or puppy mill; buying cosmetics or household goods that are tested on animals versus have the “Leaping Bunny” logo; or even seeing Cirque du Soleil performance instead of a SeaWorld performance—our decisions do matter. The Humane Economy shows us how our consumer dollars spent everyday make an enormous impact on animals, the environment, and human society.