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There
is much controversy regarding the overpopulation of
animals in this country (US). And many animal rights
supporters argue that all animals should be free,
and should not be subject to acts performed by humans,
which are considered cruel. However, there is much
confusion when it comes to the definition of "animal
rights" vs. "animal welfare" and of
course "animal abuse". Here are definitions
provided from combined animal sources:
~Animal
rights: means that we do not own any animal,
they are NOT considered property of ours to use for
food, clothing, entertainment, or experimentation.
~Animal
welfare: allows those uses mentioned above
as long as "humane" guidelines are followed.
Movements in this arena acknowledge the suffering
of animals and attempts to reduce that suffering.
~Animal
abuse: a widely used term to qualify any situation
(subject to the viewer or participant) which causes
an animal pain/suffering and/or neglect.
It
can be very controversial and confusing when you consider
the many interpretations of "cruelty" or
what could be considered "humane" or "abusive".
Some think that eating a hamburger or omelet is cruel.
The question becomes, is it cruel that many cows are
raised for the sole purpose of meat consumption, but
on their way to slaughter are jammed and trampled
in overcrowded trucks, cruelly half-electrocuted and
then cut open to bleed to death while still alive?
Should chickens be forced to lay more eggs, stressing
their bodies to the point of permanent molting, while
living in cages filled with their own feces, surviving
in the freezing cold without protection from the elements
so we as people can enjoy a Mexican burrito? Or is
this also on the edge of being consider abuse?
Did
you know that 15 million dogs and cats are put to
death each year because of the combination of pet
overpopulation, ignorance and neglect on behalf of
their human owners. If these animals are considered
"companions" (at least in the US), then
why are they cast aside when life isn't convenient
to their owner? Bottom line animal cruelty is now
being viewed as a bigger social problem. There is
research which now reveals connections between violent
people and animal abuse. And more shocking reports
fomr the RSPCA reveals that an attack to an animals
happens every 19 seconds. Studies are revealing that
retaliation, fun and peer pressure are all given reasons
from the youth of this world on why they would abuse
an animal. And more than half of all surveyed had
first hand knowledge of harming an animal. From events
as graphic as use with firearms, to strangling, the
list is too graphic to continue here. Shocking....completely.
It
is my hope that we can all become more conscious of
what is happening to the animals on this planet. We
need to take responsibility to live our lives knowing
the decisions we make are those, which are NOT selfish,
harming or cruel to animals and people alike. Education
and respect for life starts with the children who
follow our leads as adults. Whether it is a domestic
animals or those which are being raised for food products,
it is
my hope that we can ensure less cruel treatment of
animals in general. And
remember, as the quote from Mother Theresa states:
"even in the smallest acts, great things are
possible".
For
more information on articles of abuse please reference
the following site: Animal
Advocacy
Please
read the stories throughout the site with an open
mind, and open heart. You will see that the faces
of those displayed in my paintings are those of animals
who were given a chance.
If
you are interested in understanding what has happened
to the dog meat trade in Korea, barn yard cruelty,
or animal research, reference the following Web sites:
"In Defense of Animals" www.idausa.org,
www.peta-online.org,
www.hsus.org,www.animalconcerns.org,
www.aspca.org.
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