Normally a
preachy, whiny person not unlike the very religious people that wander about trying to shun the extremists of their creed while painting themselves and their
crusades as moral and just even if it means committing immoral acts such as dishonesty (see definition 11).
Often found on any form of media that allows them to voice themselves no matter how ignorant, hateful or repulsive the remarks they make.
Most often they are young, white teens in well off enough backgrounds that they never had to experience a lack of necessities, thus they are often very opinionated, will blindly support anyone they feel is serving the cause and will not research beyond what they feel is right (ie when they free animals sheltered in society and leave them to die trying to survive on their own).
The more extreme of the line tend to value animal life over human, unless it's themselves, and will stoop to any level to continue their "moral"
crusade. There is no compromising with them, they feel they know more than everyone else, will often tout their veganism as their evidence they know more, and will shout down or
coerce others through violence (See
Sea Shepherd).
the only way to deal with them is to ignore them and within a short period tend to
grow tired and leave as their moral crusade tends to
come and go in surges much like fads.
Example:
Normal person conversing with another; "Well I cleaned my tank and
fed the fish yesterday, so they should be happy"
Opinionated animal rights activist; "You should free them, fish can't live in tanks like slaves, they live better and longer in the wild"
Extremist animal rights activist; "RAM THEM!"