As an animal lover and someone who feels deeply empathetic toward animals, I am often disturbed and emotionally affected when TV shows and movies depict animals being injured or killed without any prior warning. Many viewers, like myself, have strong emotional reactions to scenes involving animal suffering. Yet, more often than not, there is no trigger warning or notice allowing us to either prepare ourselves or make the choice to skip the scene entirely.

The lack of such warnings is not merely an inconvenience; it poses an emotional distress for a significant portion of viewers who deeply care for animals. A clear and consistent system of labeling content that includes animal violence would allow viewers to make informed decisions about their media consumption, just as we currently do with content involving human violence, sexual content, or harsh language.

This is not about censoring creative works. Filmmakers and producers should have the freedom to tell their stories, but viewers should also have the ability to engage with that material consciously and responsibly. Clear warnings or labels could be added to the parental guidance notes, which are already a part of the system used by streaming platforms and TV networks.

According to a study by the Humane Research Council, 69% of people surveyed said they would choose to not watch shows or movies depicting real animal suffering. This statistic underscores the necessity of transparent content descriptions.

Furthermore, providing these labels would not pose significant challenges to producers or distributers, especially in an era where digital platforms can effortlessly update metadata. Content creators who respect their audience's sensitivities could also see an increase in viewership by reaching an often overlooked demographic.

I call upon the Motion Picture Association and major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ to establish guidelines that require clear warnings when content includes scenes of animal violence or cruelty. This would not only show compassion for the audience but also align with the contemporary push for more mindful and respectful consumption of media.

Please sign this petition to ensure that we, as viewers, are allowed to make conscious choices about the media we consume without unwanted shocks or emotional distress.