Dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and even wild animals like
lions, bears, elephants … and every existing living animal in the world are not
very different from you and I. They all have the right to live without fear of
being hunted, tortured or abused.
In our own homes, there is a reason that so many of us
animal lovers treat our pets in the same way we treat our children, and why
many of us consider them part of our family. Like children, dogs and cats need
our protection, period. They are fully dependent on us for food, good health
and safety.
My hope for our world is that we, collectively as a society
realize that animals need our protection and that we work together to ensure
that animals are treated with care, become vigilant about animal abuse in any
shape or form, and punish those who harm animals in any way.
Nobel Peace Prize winner archbishop Desmond Tutu released a
statement on animal welfare which was part of a foreword for the Global Guide
to Animal Protection. In it, he wrote:
There are other issues of justice–not only for human beings
but also for the world’s other sentient creatures. The matter of the abuse and
cruelty we inflict on other animals has to fight for our attention in what
sometimes seems an already overfull moral agenda. It is vital, however, that
these instances of injustice not be overlooked.
I have seen firsthand how injustice gets overlooked when the
victims are powerless or vulnerable, when they have no one to speak up for them
and no means of representing themselves to a higher authority. Animals are in
precisely that position. Unless we are mindful of their interests and speak out
loudly on their behalf, abuse and cruelty go unchallenged.
We have many battles to face in our stand for animal welfare
but it is wonderful to see world leaders finally calling attention to the care
and protection of innocent animals. It is an issue that all of us should
address. We can each do something to make the life of an animal better.
Here are 10 ways to help improve the lives of animals:
Report Animal Abuse
Reporting animal cruelty is vital because animals cannot
help themselves; it is our duty to step in. Witnessing an act of animal cruelty
or seeing an animal that has obviously been abused or neglected is
gut-wrenching. You want to help that animal now, but you may also feel
paralyzed, not knowing exactly what to do at the given moment.
Don’t Hunt Or Support
Hunting
I don't know what's worse than killing beautiful animals for
sport. Hunting is a heartless act in which a person puts their preference for
shooting a live animal for fun over the life of an innocent being. It is
senseless and gutless. Only cowards kill defenseless animals. Do not support
hunting in any capacity.
Get Vocal
Join animal organizations to help pass humane laws to help
improve the lives of animals. Get vocal on Twitter and Facebook, join online
groups, and attend meetings in your area. When speaking with family and
friends, let them know ways they can helps animals or at the very least not
hurt them.
Don’t Buy Fur Or
Leather
It's one very small step that keeps animals alive. There is
no reason why any of us have to wear leather or fur when there are perfectly
good materials out there that don't hurt of kill animals. Wearing a dead animal
is no status symbol.
Only Buy Beauty
Products That Do Not Test On Animals
Hurting animals for the sake of a beauty product is sick.
While it can be difficult to zone in on companies that do not test on animals,
more and more make-up and beauty manufacturers are committing to a no animal
testing policy. My favorite? E.L.F Cosmetics. The products are good, very
affordable (even more so than your drugstore make-up) and offer assurance that
none of their products ever harmed any animals. That a double score in my book.
Support Animal
Welfare Agencies
There are so many agencies that do outstanding work to help
animals and they all need our support. By donating just the cost of a few cups
of coffee per month, you can help fund food, medical care, and basic
necessities for many animals.
Teach A Child To Love
Animals
Most pet lovers fondly remember growing up knowing the love
of an animal. Children learn so much from having pets. They also learn how to
treat animals from their parents and family. When you teach a child that
animals are beautiful beings that need our protection, you not only change the
life of a child, but also of every animal that child encounters over a
lifetime.
Go Vegetarian
Dogs and cats are not the only animals that are abused. Farm
animals are some of the most neglected and exploited animals in the world. If
you have any doubt, visit any slaughterhouse and see for yourself. By making
the decision to not eat meat, you are saving animal lives. Some estimate that
by just not eating meat for one year, you can spare up to 414 animals.
Of course, not everyone wants to be a full vegetarian but
surely we can pick a day (or two or three) during the week to eat meatless. By
cutting down on meat consumption, you can still help save animal lives while
also improving your health. Another compromise is to give up red meat and just
consume poultry and fish.
Volunteer
Shelters need people to help, plain and simple. Most are
publicly funded and just do not have the manpower needed to handle the large
volume of animals they take in. You can walk dogs, clean cages, and help would
be adopters. Every little bit helps when it comes to helping get homeless
animals into permanent homes.
Adopt From A Shelter
One thing that needs to change in our world is the sale of
animals from pet stores. Most dogs come from puppy mills and every time we patronize
a store that sells puppies (even if we only buy food or pet accessories), we
help fund puppy mills where mothers and puppies are bred and often kept in
filthy and devastating conditions. There are countless dogs and cats up for
adoption at shelters in every state in our country.