Oral history interview with John F. Kullberg [electronic resource], 2001.

Biographical Note

John Francis Kullberg (1939-2003) was a teacher, university administrator, and had a leadership role in many animal advocacy organizations. He left home at the age of 16 to join the Christian Brothers, but departed before taking final vows, because of concerns with the monastic vow of obedience. From there, he had a wide-ranging career in education including as a teacher, professor, and as director of admissions and assistant dean at the Columbia University School of Law. He served as president of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) from 1978-1991, president of Guiding Eyes for the Blind from 1991-1993, and was executive director of the United States Wildlife Land Trust, starting in 1994. At the time of the interview, he had served on the board of directors of ASPCA, the American Humane Association, the New York State Humane Association, the National Coalition to Protect Our Pets, the Farm Animal Reform Movement, and the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. He was also an advisor to the Food Animal Concerns Trust. Additionally, he was principal editor of The Animal Rights Handbook and executive producer of the documentary Where Have All the Dolphins Gone regarding problems with the tuna industry.

Scope and Contents

John Kullberg begins this interview discussing his youth, his involvement with the Christian Brothers, and the philosophical concerns the led to his departure from the order. He then discusses his subsequent education and teaching experience in English. He describes his experience as director of admissions at Columbia University's School of Law, including issues of race and gender in admission. He discusses his involvement with animal protection through Christine Stevens, involvement with the Animal Welfare Institute, and Gretchen Wyler's lawsuit against the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Kullberg discusses at length his involvement with the ASPCA as a board member and his thirteen-year tenure as president, including finances, board membership, animal control contracts with New York City, and euthanasia practices. He also discusses his thoughts on figures and organizations in the animal rights movement, including Peter Singer, Henry Spira, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He also discusses animal rights ethics, religion, and the relationship with other efforts, including the peace movement. The interview was conducted by Julia Miles. There is also one box of footnotes and supplementary materials including the Animal Rights Handbook, a videocassette of another interview with Kullberg, and a cassette titled "Introduction to Animal Rights."

Subjects

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• Animal industry--Moral and ethical aspects.
• Animal rights.
• Animal rights activists--Interviews.
• Animal rights movement.
• Animal welfare.
• Interviews.
• Kullberg, John F. (John Francis), 1939-2003--Interviews.
• Laboratory animals.
• Miles, Julia interviewer.
• Oral histories.
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
• Singer, Peter, 1946-
• Spira, Henry, 1927-1998

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 2016.