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The abuse and mistreatment of animals takes many forms on both individual and institutional levels. From the serial killer-in-training torturing pets to the dog-pimp puppy-mill operator to the factory farmer following "standard industry procedures" to ear-docking and tail-cropping for appearance, the relationship between man and the animals is in dire need of change. Given the scope and prevalence of the problems and society’s tacit, sometimes even explicit, acceptance of much of this violence and indifference to the wants and needs of these helpless living creatures, it is little wonder that the level of human-human violence is what it is. . What can you and I do? Some suggestions are below: the main point is to do SOMETHING.. 1) Choose an issue: abuse/neglect/abandonment, animals and the legal system, animal rights, animal fighting, puppy mills, factory farming, the fur and leather trade, circuses and "entertainment" exploitation, the use of animals in medical experimentation and product testing, rescue and adoption, spay/neuter, managing feral cat colonies, wildlife/habitat preservation, etc. - .there is much to be done. 2) Gather information: some resource links for each of these areas are provided below. Many sites cover more than one aspect of the problem; most contain petitions and other ways to become a part of the solution. To stay abreast of media coverage and get tips about effective media contact, visit DawnWatch, an animal-advocacy media watch site. 3) Get involved: write letters and emails, make phone calls, volunteer, petition, organize - make your voice heard: politicians, the media, business & industry can all be made to bend to the will of a determined public, but it has to be expressed. Some talking point suggestions and sample contact letters are provided below; these are intended as templates, to be modified to fit each situation. Remember that anger and ridicule, however well deserved, produce less than a positive approach of facts and tact. Always provide your full name, address, and phone number when contacting public officials, businesses, and/or the media. To review, sign, or start a petition, visit The Petition Site. 4) Walk the walk: treat the animals in your own life as beings worthy of care and respect, and remember that your choices and actions also affect animals indirectly. Everything IS connected.
ABUSE / NEGLECT / ABANDONMENT Thankfully the legislatures in most states have enacted laws making animal cruelty a felony. While the definitions of what constitutes "cruelty" vary and some could certainly stand updating, the important thing now is to see that prosecutors and judges take cases of animal mistreatment seriously, not just because the link between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence has become clear, but also because the acts of neglect, abandonment, or abuse to the animals are, in and of themselves, serious crimes. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet-abuse.com Animal Abuse database, Courtwatch case information Big Cat Rescue.org Action alerts, laws and legislation Animal Abuse Prevention Agency Inhumane.org The National Animal Abuse Registry
Sample letter to Juvenile/Family Court Council President Always provide your full name, address, email, and phone number when contacting public officials, businesses, and/or media.
ANIMALS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM Breed-specific legislation, usually directed at "Pit Bulls" (which often means any dog who looks anything at all like an American Pit Bull Terrier) and other supposedly "dangerous" dogs, are not only vague, misguided, discriminatory, and ineffective, they have also be declared unconstitutional whenever challenged. The problem lies at the other end of the leash, with irresponsible and dangerous people. Catlaws.com Big cat legislative action center Animallaw.com International Institute for Animal Law Pit Bull Rescue Central Where education meets rescue: the truth about Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) Society & Animals Forum, Resources and educational materials Aesop-project.org/Oversight.htm Who’s who of federal oversight of animal issues
ANIMAL RIGHTS As research reveals more about the emotional capacities of the living beings with which man shares the planet, it becomes harder to reconcile their categorization as property, like cars or furniture. While granting citizenship seems a bit over-the-top, recognition of animal as beings with basic needs would go a long way toward changing a mind-set that sees them as disposable and often condones abuse as ‘efficient use of material resources’. Animal Concerns Information about animal rights and welfare Animal People News Serious activism requires solid information World Animal Net Directory Database of animal protection societies World Society for the Protection of Animals Asian Animal Protection Network Animalsvoice.com The Animal’s Voice magazine People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (except, apparently, Pit Bulls) A word of warning: with the recent passage of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, otherwise lawful activities such as whistle-blowing or product boycotts may be construed as terrorist activities. Greenisthenewred.com Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act information
ANIMAL FIGHTING What do rapists, child abusers, wife beaters, and the like do for amusement? The Humane Society of the United States Pit Bulls on the Web The truth about pit bulls
PUPPY-MILLS / BACKYARD BREEDING How much is that doggie in the window - who’s really paying, and what happens if nobody's buying? Virtually all pet stores puppies are produced in puppy-mills. Thinking about buying a puppy? Reputable breeders deal direct - and will let you visit their facilities. Better still, go to a shelter and adopt a friend for life.
No Puppy Mills Forums and articles Prisoners of Greed Free DVD exposing puppymill atrocities
FACTORY FARMING You are what you eat - stress and emotions like fear cause adrenalin and other chemicals to be produced - food for thought. Factoryfarming.com Institutionalized cruelty, environmentally destructive - what's really on your plate Save the Sheep What could be worse than a modern factory farm? Farm Sanctuary Rescue, Education, Advocacy Farmedanimal.net "Objective, trustworthy source of academic and industry information"
The best way to end factory farming practices is to stop using their "products", but that doesn’t have to mean just chewing on celery. Goveg.com No animals were harmed in the production of this meal Happycow.com Guide to vegetarian restaurants & health food stores
Can’t give up meat? There are alternatives to the factory farm lot or warehouse. The Humane Farming Association
FUR / LEATHER TRADE Two kinds of people find fashion in fur and leather: those unaware of the suffering of the animals and those who just don’t care. Furisdead.com Learn what happens on fur farms and in the wild Cowsarecool.com Cows are cool - leather isn’t Worldanimal.net Join the global anti-fur campaign
CIRCUSES AND "ENTERTAINMENT" EXPLOITATION Animals being made to perform unnatural acts, often with painful consequences. Training methods that include beating and intimidation. A life spent chained, caged, and confined; displayed and then discarded. That’s Entertainment? Circuses.com "Animals are NOT ours for entertainment" Bucktherodeo.com Breaking animals - literally No More Monkey Business Leave the Great Apes out of show business Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe Wildlifepimps.com Traveling and roadside zoos are some of the worst abusers of wildlife Save Wild Elephants Elephant free zoos? Help Thai Elephants Thailand elephant "training" cruelty Zooinsiders.com Whistle blowers - Champions to Animals
MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION / PRODUCT TESTING There is no such species as "lab animal". Learning Without Killing Humane, effective alternatives exist Humanelearning.com Humane education resources Caringconsumer.com A guide to kind living Covancecruelty.com "Experiments" and abuse go together Stopvivisection.org.nz New Zealand National Anti-Vivisection Campaign Columbiacruelty.com Columbia University primate cruelty
RESCUE AND ADOPTION If every good boy deserves favor, or even if not: all animals deserve a home Petfinder.com Locate shelters, rescues, and adoptable animals 1-800-save-a-pet.com Adopt a friend, save a life North Shore Animal League Largest pet adoption agency in the world Save the Chimps Save the Chimps: speaking out for them Best Friends Animal Society Rescue and sanctuary
SPAY/NEUTER Millions of animals are "euthanized" - read KILLED, every year because there aren’t enough good homes to keep up with their birth rate.. Control by killing doesn’t work: assuming 2 litters per year and a survival rate of 2.8 kittens per litter, one female cat, her mate and her offspring become 11,606,077 in just nine years; one dog and her mate can become 67,000 in six. Cats with No Name Shelters, rescues, spay/neuter by state Friends of Animals Spay/neuter certificates available online Spayusa.org Programs and clinics across the US Nokill.us Drive the message home . . . Wear the message out
FERAL CAT COLONIES / TNR (TRAP - NEUTER - RELEASE) Controlling rodent populations near you! Urban Cat League Video: Socializing Feral Kittens The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
WILDLIFE / HABITAT PRESERVATION Environmental activism is not about hugging trees; it is about finding a balance between the needs of the planet and its inhabitants - human and non-human. National Resources Defense Council Action Network An online environmental activism community Greenpeace Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things www.Habitat for Wildlife Simple ways to save wildlife Oceana.org Protecting the world’s oceans |
