New Collection Guide for the In Defense of Animals Records

In Defense of Animals protest with woman in a cage

In Defense of Animals protest, undated, from Box 14, Folder 1

This blog post is contributed by Bella Cheers.

The Special Collections Research Center is pleased to announce that the collection guide for the newly processed In Defense of Animals Records (MC 00715) is available online. The collection includes organizational publications, campaign posters, newsletters, event photographs, and photographs depicting animal cruelty and abuse investigations. The photographs may contain imagery that may be disturbing to some researchers. Materials range in date from 1983 to 2021.

In Defense of Animals (IDA) is an international animal protection organization that was formed in 1983 by veterinarian Dr. Elliot Katz. The organization has dedicated itself to advocating for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as sanctuaries and animal rescue facilities. Additionally, IDA has organized legislative initiatives, public awareness campaigns, cruelty investigations, and direct rescue of animals worldwide.

Elliot Katz with Jane Goodall
Elliot Katz with Jane Goodall, undated Box 13, Folder 4

 

Elliot Katz protesting lab testing
Elliot Katz protesting lab testing, undated, Box 14, Folder 2

Dr. Elliot Katz, the founder of IDA was able to make a significant impact on animal rights activism during his lifetime. Born in 1934, Katz dedicated his entire life to the welfare of animals, receiving a veterinary degree from Cornell University in 1958, and going on to create IDA in 1983. During his time with IDA, Katz was placed under arrest 37 times at protests across the country, never once backing down from an opportunity to bring light to the abuse animals face. In the collection, photographs of some of Katz’s arrests can be found, and he can be seen at various IDA events and protests, as well as posing with adopted and rescued pets.

UCSF protest with people dressed as monkeys
In Defense of Animals Protest, undated, Box 14, Folder 1

 

Protester being arrested
Protester being arrested, undated,  Box 15, Folder 5

Katz was not the only one who can be seen protesting in the collection. The collection contains hundreds of photographs from protests, demonstrations, and events from around the world. As an organization, IDA was able to stop funding to unethical research facilities, shut down puppy mills, bring awareness to the harm caused by the fur trade, and much more.

Woman with gray cat
Woman with gray cat, undated, Box 14, Folder 5

The collection doesn’t only have photo evidence of abuse which was stopped by IDA, but also the rescued animals safe and happy in their new homes! There are many photographs of safe and healthy animals enjoying their new happy lives thanks to In Defense of Animals.

To learn more about animal rights and welfare collections at NC State University, visit our online collections guide webpage. Additionally, the Special Collections Digital Collections website contains many images and videos related to animal rights online.

If you are interested in viewing the materials in this collection, you can access them by scheduling an appointment with the Special Collections Research Center. The Special Collections Research Center is open by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm and Saturday, 1pm–5pm. Requests for a Saturday appointment must be received no later than Tuesday of the same week. If you have any questions or are interested in viewing Special Collections materials, please contact us at library_specialcollections@ncsu.edu or submit a request online.