Envisioning a Better Future for Nonhuman Animals: An Interview with the Author

On the 12th of March 2025 Dr Doris Schneeberger discussed her recently published book Envisioning a Better Future for Nonhuman Animals. The lecture, the first in our "Summer Lecture Series," grappled with questions of sustainability, animal rights, and visions of multispecies futures. For those of you who missed the talk we thought we would catch up with Doris once again to learn more about her book. Here is what she had to say:

What motivated you to write Envisioning a Future for Non-Human Animals?

I was motivated by the fundamental question: Should nonhuman animals have rights, and if so, which ones? While human rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, animals remain largely excluded from legal protections that recognize their intrinsic value. My book explores this ethical and philosophical gap by integrating perspectives from animal ethics, political philosophy, and law to envision a future where animals are seen not merely as resources but as individuals with rights. The growing field of animal studies and the urgent need to address speciesism in institutions further fueled my motivation to write this book.

What is the key message you hope readers will take with them after reading your book?

I hope readers will come away with a deeper awareness of how speciesism shapes our societies, institutions, and moral frameworks. The book argues that nonhuman animals should not be treated as mere objects of human interest but as beings with intrinsic value, deserving of legal recognition and ethical consideration. By proposing a set of potential universal animal rights, I encourage readers to rethink their assumptions about human-animal relationships and consider how we can foster a more just and equitable world for all species.

Keep reading this interviewing on The Vienna Animal Studies website