Animal Welfare And Rights
Just like humans don't have the right to do everything they want, like killing other people senselessly, neither should animals. Affording rights to animals is not about letting them do whatever they want or allowing them every single right a person has, but it is about allowing them to have the possession of their own life and the avoidance of suffering that may be imposed upon them by humans.
Animal rights advocates do not seek to legally stop a lion's free will of killing a zebra, they would not advocate for animals like sharks having the rights to murder a person, but they are for the right of an animal to choose its own destiny much like a person can. Meaning, if someone chained you up and told you to plow the fields or else you'd get beaten, that wouldn't be right, now would it? Thankfully, you have the right to control your own destiny within certain limits. You don't have to plow that field. You don't have to get beaten. You have the legal right to go play a video game instead. Well, why should we do that to a horse or an ox? Shouldn't they have the freedom of choice, again within some legal limits of course, to choose their own destiny?
With respect to this and current law, an animal is not a legal person. An animal is actually a legal thing. Although this is changing a tiny bit, to this day, your dog is technically a piece of property and not its own legal entity as a human would be. In other words, your pet dog is closer to having the legal status of the chair you sit on than it does a person.
Animal rights is about ensuring humans cannot use animals in many of the same ways they once did (and still do) use slaves. It's about giving animals the right to their own destiny, a destiny that's not chosen, by and large, by someone or something else.
5 Great Ways to Promote Animal Welfare
Animals are wonderful friends and companions to us. Our furry friends are there for us through good times and bad, providing unconditional love and loyalty. They also help us by guarding our homes and cattle; aiding the disabled; supporting law enforcement; assisting us in search and rescue operations; and sometimes just by being there for us. Sadly, there are many sweet pets in shelters or rescues that desperately need forever homes, or need our help in other ways. In this article, an Easley, SC vet offers some ways you can help them.
Donate
Animal charity and rescue organizations can always use donations. If you can’t afford to donate funds, consider giving supplies, such as pet food, carriers, or dishes.
Foster
If you have the room, the funds, and the time, consider fostering an animal in need. Fostering isn’t for everyone, however. Many people find it very difficult to say goodbye to their furry charges when the time comes. That said, fostering can be a very rewarding experience, and is a wonderful way to help animals in need. If you think you might make a good foster parent for a pet that needs help, contact a nearby animal shelter or rescue for more information.
Educate
If you have children, take time to teach them about our wonderful animal friends, and how important it is to always treat them with kindness and respect. Take your little ones to a zoo, or just enjoy some heartwarming and adorable animal movies on family night. You can also help by sharing stories about animals that need help on social media.
Spay/Neuter
Spaying or neutering your pet won’t just help keep your furbaby calm and healthy: it also helps other animals, by combatting pet overpopulation. If your furry pal hasn’t been fixed yet, we recommend seeing to this as soon as possible.
Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to help animals. You may find that you really enjoy the rewarding feeling you get after working to help our four-legged friends. Check with local charities and shelters for more details. If you’re a creative person, you can also volunteer another way: make something special, then auction it off and donate the proceeds to a rescue group.
The Five Freedoms For Animals
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
By ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor. - Freedom from Discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. - Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. - Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind. - Freedom from Fear and Distress
By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering
We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.
