Sad...
I watched a very eye-opening show tonight on PBS. It was about the 6 million pets that are euthanized in America each year. (That's a U.S. figure, but I can assume that it's at least HALF of that in Canada, if not the same.)
All of this is so saddening. I miss my cats. They were just two cats, but they meant the world to me, and I can't even possibly think about all the animals that are being forgotten everyday in this world. A LOT of people think, "Why the hell should I help animals, when there are people suffering in this world?". Well it's as simple as this: suffering is suffering, whether it be human, cat, dog, bird, reptile, and so on. I believe that animals need our help more, because of the rampant feeling that animals are second class citizens of this world, and therefore do not need/deserve our help, let alone concern. This way of thinking is VERY WRONG. I won't get into a huge rant about how humans are destroying the world right now, cuz that's a much bigger battle, but I will tell you that it takes a very small small step in the right direction, for each and every person with a conscious, to start to help.
I've been reading up on this a bit, and with help from a few GREAT communities on LJ, and the program that I watched tonight, I thought I could make a few suggestions to my friends. And hopefully you can spread that word onto your friends, and slowly, conciously, bit by bit, we can all help in our own ways.
1 - This suggestion is taken from vegan_baby @ animals_ontario
Help out your local pet shelter! Most of them could use an extra hand with supplies now and then:
dry and wet food
litter
pet beds
toys
treats
kitten formula (milk replacer)
cleaning supplies
food dishes
litter boxes
Volunteer and help out. Take the dogs for a walk, cuddle with the cats, feed the bunnies. They need your love!
2 - Make a donation to a local shelter this year for Christmas. Make the donation in someone's name as a gift, or make a donation for someone who has everything, and you don't know what to get them! (Of course be aware of if the person would appreciate such a gesture or not!)
3 - Look for a shelter sponsered event to support, or make one up yourself. This could be a learning experience for the whole family, as it shows compassion, and teaches life lessons to children, not to mention adults who have forgotten to be compassionate (like so many of us).
4 - Take a little time to think of actually adopting a pet for life. I can't stress more the ABSOLUTE NEED for adoption from your local SHELTERS. There are thousands of little faces, little eyes, little tails, and little hearts waiting for love from someone special. We as humans cannot forget about their needs. We MUST remember that WE are the reason that they are there.
Adopting just one pet from a shelter is a huge responsibility, but with that responsibility comes years and years of love, loyalty, and companionship that only a pet can give us. Think about it :)
Basically, I miss my cats. I want another one, but it would not be fair right now to the new cat to have it live only in my bedroom, as I live with my mom and sister. I will however, adopt a cat as soon as I get my own appartment. I can't wait for that day.
I miss my cats so much, and I remember how they lived, and I remember that they had loving homes, and even though I can't provide for another one right now, I can make an effort to help another cat or dog in this world - on behalf of my very much missed kitties.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know it sounds like preaching, and hippie-stuff, but I really strongly believe that all of us can help in a little way. If you are my friend, all I ask from you is to think about this post in honesty. And if you want to send me a Christmas Card this year, I love you so much! But better yet, send a small donation to a shelter in your area in my name. Or buy some treats for the shelter.. or better yet, SPREAD the word. Spreading the word can save many lives.
Let's change the world for these animals. Let's make a difference in their lives.
Be a messanger. Be a hero.
Thank you.
M
All of this is so saddening. I miss my cats. They were just two cats, but they meant the world to me, and I can't even possibly think about all the animals that are being forgotten everyday in this world. A LOT of people think, "Why the hell should I help animals, when there are people suffering in this world?". Well it's as simple as this: suffering is suffering, whether it be human, cat, dog, bird, reptile, and so on. I believe that animals need our help more, because of the rampant feeling that animals are second class citizens of this world, and therefore do not need/deserve our help, let alone concern. This way of thinking is VERY WRONG. I won't get into a huge rant about how humans are destroying the world right now, cuz that's a much bigger battle, but I will tell you that it takes a very small small step in the right direction, for each and every person with a conscious, to start to help.
I've been reading up on this a bit, and with help from a few GREAT communities on LJ, and the program that I watched tonight, I thought I could make a few suggestions to my friends. And hopefully you can spread that word onto your friends, and slowly, conciously, bit by bit, we can all help in our own ways.
1 - This suggestion is taken from vegan_baby @ animals_ontario
Help out your local pet shelter! Most of them could use an extra hand with supplies now and then:
dry and wet food
litter
pet beds
toys
treats
kitten formula (milk replacer)
cleaning supplies
food dishes
litter boxes
Volunteer and help out. Take the dogs for a walk, cuddle with the cats, feed the bunnies. They need your love!
2 - Make a donation to a local shelter this year for Christmas. Make the donation in someone's name as a gift, or make a donation for someone who has everything, and you don't know what to get them! (Of course be aware of if the person would appreciate such a gesture or not!)
3 - Look for a shelter sponsered event to support, or make one up yourself. This could be a learning experience for the whole family, as it shows compassion, and teaches life lessons to children, not to mention adults who have forgotten to be compassionate (like so many of us).
4 - Take a little time to think of actually adopting a pet for life. I can't stress more the ABSOLUTE NEED for adoption from your local SHELTERS. There are thousands of little faces, little eyes, little tails, and little hearts waiting for love from someone special. We as humans cannot forget about their needs. We MUST remember that WE are the reason that they are there.
Adopting just one pet from a shelter is a huge responsibility, but with that responsibility comes years and years of love, loyalty, and companionship that only a pet can give us. Think about it :)
Basically, I miss my cats. I want another one, but it would not be fair right now to the new cat to have it live only in my bedroom, as I live with my mom and sister. I will however, adopt a cat as soon as I get my own appartment. I can't wait for that day.
I miss my cats so much, and I remember how they lived, and I remember that they had loving homes, and even though I can't provide for another one right now, I can make an effort to help another cat or dog in this world - on behalf of my very much missed kitties.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know it sounds like preaching, and hippie-stuff, but I really strongly believe that all of us can help in a little way. If you are my friend, all I ask from you is to think about this post in honesty. And if you want to send me a Christmas Card this year, I love you so much! But better yet, send a small donation to a shelter in your area in my name. Or buy some treats for the shelter.. or better yet, SPREAD the word. Spreading the word can save many lives.
Let's change the world for these animals. Let's make a difference in their lives.
Be a messanger. Be a hero.
Thank you.
M