Chances are, you’ve flipped through that Sarah McLachlan commercial that tugs at heartstrings with images of abused animals living in shelters or on the streets. While it’s difficult to see such things, it’s worth taking a few moments to talk about the issues facing abandoned and abused animals. April is the official Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, so what better time is there to consider what you may be able to do to help?
Animal Cruelty Facts
Nearly every type of animal that can be abused for human gain is abused, according to a huge database of statistics gathered by hundreds of reputable organizations around the world. Some of the most striking are related to man’s best friend, dogs. Dogfighting still occurs in many communities throughout the United States, where dogs are bred and trained to fight, and then pitted against each other for the amusement of their owners. Puppy mills churn out dogs for commercial sales; the stress on female breeding dogs often results in puppies that are diseased and disabled. In fact, dogs that are bred specifically for racing, like greyhounds, are often killed as puppies or young dogs, because they do not meet certain criteria for a good racer.
The animals that we rely on for food are mistreated in other ways. The average American eats more than 50 pounds of poultry each year, according to the Department of Agriculture. Chickens, which make up a large portion of this number, are bred in such a way that they cannot walk or move about easily. They often have their beaks “trimmed” in order to prevent aggressive behaviors. The fur trade is yet another way that animals are abused, as well as environments like the circus and rodeos. In fact, every single major circus that uses animals in their shows has violated the United States Animal Welfare standards at least once. More than one million animals, including dogs and cats, are killed each year in laboratory experiments.
Reporting Animal Cruelty
Clearly, animal welfare has a long way to go before we can truly say that we’ve made progress. While the arguments for animals that are largely for food and medicinal testing can get heated and controversial, no one can deny that the way our companion animals (such as dogs and cats) are often treated is wrong. One of the best ways you can help is by reporting animal cruelty when you see it.
Animal abuse is illegal in every single state. If anyone reports possible animal cruelty, authorities must investigate. Animal abuse doesn’t always appear as blatantly as a starved or beaten animal. There are an estimated 2,000 new cases of animal hoarding every year in the United States alone, which amounts to nearly 250,000 animals living in horrible conditions.
If you need to report an instance of animal abuse, it’s important to document as many details as you can. Watch for chained animals that don’t have access to water or shelter from extreme weather; animals that are obviously uncared for, with visible ribs or wounds; or properties with far too many animals.
Other Ways to Help
There are many other ways that you can help. Volunteer at your local shelter, or consider being a foster family to help relieve crowding in shelters. Support legislature that stops animal abusers, and above all, teach your children to be kind to animals. There are many studies that promote the idea that animal abuse is a learned behavior from a young age. Model compassion for your children, and you’ll be helping animals have brighter futures.
