Letters

From all-creatures.org
and The Mary T. and
Frank L. Hoffman
Family Foundation

Letter from Debbie About Using Our Images for Her Thesis - 15 Feb 2010

Dear Frank and Mary,

I am currently writing a graduate thesis on the history of humankind's treatment of nonhumans and of the need to rethink our relationship with nonhumans and evolve toward a more compassionate and empathic role with respect to the entire planet and ALL of its inhabitants.

It is my belief that all animals are endowed with an inalienable right to a life free from pain, suffering, and cruel death. The plight of nonhumans has always been very close to my heart, and I have always been disgusted and horrified that countless animals throughout history have found themselves at the mercy, and continue in this day and age to find themselves at the mercy of sadistic, brutal, and uncaring humans. Nonhumans have been the victims of human ignorance, apathy, over-population, and hierarchical belief systems for far too long.

Through my research, I have come across many websites that portray the torture that so many innocent creatures endure at the hands of humans. So many people adopt an out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude, and so I believe my thesis will have a greater impact if I could include pictures of these atrocities. My question is: Would it be possible to obtain permission to print and use the photos from your website and if so, how can I go about that process? The more people who see these horrific, indescribable images, the greater the chance for change.

Thank you very much–I appreciate any help you can offer, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,

Debbie

Reply from Frank and Mary Hoffman

Dear Debby:

Thank you very much for writing, and for picking this subject for your graduate thesis.

As long as you are using the photos for your thesis, there is no problem with using any of the animal exploitation photos, and most are not copyrighted. There are a few that are indicated as being copyrighted. If you plan to publish your thesis to the public, you will need to get their permission. Other than that, use any of them that you want.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank and Mary