Animal Rescue ~ So Much More Than Just Cats And Dogs.

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A Broader Perspective.

When we talk about animal rescue, most of us think automatically of cats and dogs – kind of the way it’s always been. But animal rescue also includes birds, lizards, bunnies, ferrets, tortoises, trout, and so on. And still it’s even bigger than that!

Old McDonald Had A Farm.

We give our domestic pets a safe, comfy place in our homes with us, a soft clean bed, grooming, fresh food and water, exotic treats, and we lavish comfort and love on them as our own family members. But have you ever wondered this – who watches out for Farm Animals? Farm Animals – cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, etc. – the poor souls who lose their lives so we can eat them – are the most horribly treated animals on the planet. Why do we treat them so differently?  There was a time when Farm Animals enjoyed at least some quality of life before being shipped off to slaughter. But now we have big farm agriculture that inflicts unspeakable horrors on poor animals, carefully hidden away from public view because what goes on behind their doors is so profoundly ugly and unforgivable.

Every day, millions of Farm Animals are tortured, mutilated, murdered by the most evil, unspeakable means, to end up on our plates as food. Even though Farm Animals give their lives (unwillingly) for our benefit, we give them no compassion or regard in return.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Have you thought about where certain lush human comforts come from and what the cost?  For instance, leather, fur, wool?  Animals are actually “farmed” to give their lives so that we can enjoy such comforts. Mink and Fox are raised in disgusting conditions and horribly slaughtered so we can arrogantly and selfishly wear their furs.

Consider for a moment where the leathers come from that make up the designer purses and luggage we carry, or our shoes and boots?

Tigers, Rhinos, Giraffes, and more are hunted and killed for certain body parts that are thought to have medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities. Murder for old wives’ tales.

Trophy hunting is another shameful act against live animals. Trophy hunters simply enjoy the sport. Kill a magnificent exotic animal so I can hang it on my wall and brag. A life is extinguished to stroke a fool’s ego.

Hiding Behind Science.

Also consider animals imprisoned in testing labs: Golden Retrievers, mice, monkeys, cats, kittens, the list goes on. After decades of torturing innocent animals in labs across the country, it is now confirmed that no benefit to human science or health has been achieved that would remotely justify the horrors inflicted on those poor souls.

Illegal Dog Fighting, Cock Fighting,…

It goes without saying that this form of animal abuse needs to be done away with completely once and for all. Strides have been made in animal welfare laws and seeking out offenders, but prosecution and appropriate sentencing still has a good way to go. We need to keep pushing for enforcement.

Animal Hoarding, Neglect, And Abuse.

We still hear stories of animal hoarders, abusers, and extreme animal neglect. None of this is okay. If you have more animals than you can afford to feed, please get help, or please, for their sake, find them other homes. Don’t hide behind closed doors, forcing the animals to suffer against their will. If you have anger issues to the point you hurt your innocent pet, then you should not own a pet. Pets aren’t punching bags to hit. Pets aren’t lawn ornaments to ignore. Pets aren’t collectibles to pile up.

Beasts Of Burden.

Roadside circuses, trail rides, carrying loads of bricks, plowing hard ground–these are the daily travails of working animals, especially in third world countries. Poor animals are pushed beyond their strength, given little care or regard. Suffering under unimaginable demands every day from sun-up to sundown, nothing at all to look forward to in life.

Scourge Wet Markets.

With the COVID epidemic of late, a critical spotlight has finally been shone on the vile wet markets in Asian countries, not to mention some even here in our own United States. If you’ve seen even a video of what goes on in those environments, you’ll probably have a hard time just keeping your lunch down. It shocks the heart and sensibilities of compassionate people around the world.

We know from our familiarity with traditional pet ownership that all animals, including even fish, feel joy, love, comfort, loneliness, suffering, fear, trauma, and pain, just as humans do. Why, then, would we treat Farm Animals, Wild Animals, Lab Animals with any less care than our beloved pets?

It Is Time.

Charitable organizations are rising up to advocate for the wellbeing and humane treatment of Farm Animals. It’s time. We cannot call ourselves civilized when we treat vulnerable living beings with such ugly indifference. There are many ways to support Animal welfare. Becoming vegetarian or vegan is a scary thought to lots of folks, especially those of us who were raised on bacon, beef stew, chicken wings. It took me years to fully commit, but my heart was committed, and I couldn’t give up. The clincher for me was, I thought for a moment about the last moments of a poor farm animal’s life – absolute terror coursing through its veins as it screams and fights uselessly for its precious life. Do I really want to take that into my own body and call it nutrition?  Couldn’t do it.  Never again.  Maybe you’re not ready to make that shift yet; but you can still make a difference by supporting the organizations who fight for animals.

Who/Where Can I Support?

Here are a few organizations on the front lines of animal welfare that you can support. Please look into at least one and offer your support in whatever way you are able. It’s a start to making this a more compassionate world for vulnerable, innocent animal lives.

There are many more organizations, just a Google search away – these will help get you started.

What Can I Do?

Most importantly – start somewhere. If you’re not ready to go vegetarian or vegan, you can still donate to any of these organizations to make your mark on turning the world into a more loving place for animals. If you can’t afford large donations, then give your pennies. Every dollar counts, so don’t feel embarrassed if your gift seems insignificant.  It’s anything but.  If you can’t give money, maybe you can volunteer, as an advocate, a rescuer, a foster, a networker, an activist, a teacher, a blogger like me, etc. Use your imagination. But Start.

The animal world is suffering unimaginable horrors, and needs all the help it can get. So look around, find your niche, and jump in with both feet. Precious animal lives are counting on you. If everyone saves even only one animal, that’s a huge blessing. God will see your efforts and your heart. Remember – when God gave the human race dominion over all the animals, He didn’t mean for us to harm them … He meant for us to watch over them.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.