More about NAIA

More about NAIA

What is NAIA?
The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) is an educational organization that was founded in 1991 to support and promote responsible animal ownership and use, and to oppose animal rights extremism. NAIA is a charitable organization recognized under the Internal Revenue Code as a 501 (c) (3).

What does NAIA Support?
NAIA supports animal ownership and the responsible and humane use of animals in a variety of settings. Our philosophy is based on these basic values:

  • We support the responsible and humane use of animals for food, clothing, medical research, companionship, assistance, recreation, entertainment and education.
  • We believe that the people who keep, utilize and care for animals have a duty to assure the well-being of the animals in their care, providing appropriate housing, nutrition, medical care, humane treatment and handling, and when necessary, humane euthanasia.
  • We support the ethical and regulated hunting and fishing of abundant species as vital components of wildlife management programs, which help sustain and perpetuate healthy wildlife populations and natural habitats.
  • We support the enforcement of state and federal laws that mandate the proper treatment of animals and provide penalties for animal abuse.
  • We reject the anti-human philosophy of the animal rights movement, which often places the interests of animals ahead of people, even when human lives are at stake.
  • We are committed to preserving the human-animal bond, the special bond that exists when people live and work with animals.
  • We believe the animal rights campaign to limit and ultimately abolish human-animal interaction is unnatural, misguided and harmful to both people and animals.
  • We believe that others are entitled to disagree with our point of view, but not to break the law or use threats, lies, intimidation, harassment or violence to force their views on others.

Our Board of Directors
Our board members are volunteers from a variety of animal fields, including dog and cat sports, agriculture, medical research, veterinary medicine, wildlife management and hunting associations, entertainment and education. They are distinguished and respected members of their respective communities and serve without compensation in support of NAIA’s mission and goals.

Our Members
The members of NAIA come from virtually the same backgrounds as the NAIA Board of Directors. They are pet owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, research scientists, farmers, fishermen, hunters, biologists and teachers. They are also associations, agencies and businesses; dog and cat clubs, obedience clubs, rescue groups, rodeos, circuses, animal shelters and others.

NAIA's Funding
NAIA receives its primary financial support from member donations; from dog and cat breeders, fanciers and trainers, veterinarians, sporting groups, medical researchers, dog, cat and horse associations, pet owners, livestock, poultry and egg producers and other interested individuals associations and businesses. Funding also comes from sponsorships, grants and advertising. Donations to NAIA are often tax deductible, but potential donors should check with their tax accountants to be certain. NAIA welcomes contributions from anyone who supports our values.