That's why they call it a "humane shelter," because animals deserve considerate and merciful treatment just like us humans. I cannot understand why someone would abandon their family pet, much less abuse them. It is unconscionable and there should be more laws affecting their well-being. They are innocent, loyal, and all they really want is to live. That's right, something we take for granted but in the case of most animals, something they have absolutely no control over.
But there seems to be hope, if the amount of space on the Internet devoted to animals is any indication of the public's awakening to the fact that they do have rights. The enactment of animal protection laws has been slow but it is showing promise in several states across the country. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has ranked U.S. states in their order of protection based on 20 different categories of protection.
It seems that a lot of southern states, which also have low ratings in the care of their human populations, also neglect their animals. These, along with other states like Alaska, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho make up what is called the "Bottom Tier" of protection. The "Top Tier" includes states like California, Washington, Illinois, Colorado and eleven more. The in-between "Middle Tier" has Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii plus others.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund: All Our Clients Are Innocent...
The number one state for animal protection is Maine; number fifty is New Mexico. Here's the scenario...
"The disparity in various jurisdictions’ animal protection laws demonstrates the unfortunate reality that, in many places, the law significantly underrepresents animals’ interests. However, the Rankings Report also presents an opportunity to improve laws everywhere. New animal protection laws continue to be implemented around the country by motivated lawmakers and their constituents — just like you."
Some notations from ALDF...
Maine maintains its top rank
New Mexico ranked last for third year in a row
Most improved: Maryland
Major trends: Animals included in protection orders and laws prohibiting sexual assault of animals
But, yes, I feel, at least from Internet activity, that the public is becoming more conscious of the rights of animals. And they are finding out just how much love and affection pets can contribute to your household. They become family and hope they have found their forever home. We cannot let them down!
No matter whether you have a pet, or are living where there are farm animals, I hope you don't condone animal cruelty. But like most of us, you love and take care of your furry friends like your own children. You believe they deserve the best and do your darndest to see that they get it. You are what is called an animal lover, and although there are others not quite as devoted, they do believe animals should live the best life they can in forever homes.
But there are those who think just the opposite, and these people are cruel to animals, the scourge of the earth. Their attitude is, it's just an animal. They would be wrong and that's what this post is all about. The Humane Society says...
"The shocking number of animal cruelty cases reported every day is just the tip of the iceberg—most cases are never reported. Unlike violent crimes against people, cases of animal abuse are not compiled by state or federal agencies, making it difficult to calculate just how common they are. However, we can use the information that is available to try to understand and prevent cases of abuse."
reasoning since there was an acceptable solution to the problem. This comes from rural northern North Carolina where things aren't so good, and families have a hard time caring for themselves, sometimes neglecting their animals. Here's the scenario...
"No person lives in this house...Let’s call it No-No Land. The house has been abandoned since January, when the owner, an elderly man, died of covid-19. We are here in late July...You hear the three dogs baying before you see them, and then you see them and recoil. Each is tethered to a metal cable, which is tethered to its own primitive wooden doghouse. Each animal has only a few dozen square feet within which to move."
The story goes on to say the three females have been here six months, unable to socialize together, with no neighbors bothering to come by. Today it is 85 in the shade. They're in a prison, says the Washington Post, with the daughter who inherited the property in another state, a relative supposed to care for the dogs but
doesn't. WP again in exasperation...
"For reasons that defy common sense and decency, the daughter has chosen this heartless system rather than adopt the dogs herself or surrender them to someone who will care for them."
This is the epitome of animal cruelty and I urge you to read this story because it will either reinforce your present work for animal rights or prompt you to donate some time and money to animal causes. In another situation a Valley, Alabama man faces 12 counts of Animal Cruelty after police discovered a dozen malnourished Pitbulls living in deplorable conditions. What little water they had was green and filled with insects.
I hate to tell you, folks, but this kind of treatment of innocent animals is going on throughout the country and as the Humane Society reports, these are only the reported cases with thousands of others unreported. And not to lessen the urgency of animal cruelty, here's more bad news from the Animal Legal Defense Fund...
"People who hurt animals don’t stop with animals. There is an established link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans — regularly referred to as 'The Link.'”
Watch this video of South Florida man sentenced to 10 years in prison for animal cruelty (Disturbing scenes)...
This is why law enforcement is strongly urged to thoroughly investigate those involved in animal cruelty cases, because of this "link," and because the aftermath, not necessarily in the present sense, but a violent outburst that could occur in the future. Facts from the ALDF...
"A landmark 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are in fact five times as likely to also harm other humans.
"Another study, published in 2013, found that 43% of those who commit school massacres also committed acts of cruelty to animals — generally against cats and dogs."
Finally, to end on a high note, there is a new organization, Flight To Freedom, that through donations saves animals from euthanasia by picking them up from one location and transporting them to another location where they can find a forever home. I hope you will check this out and support them.
Kerhsaw County, SC deputies were helping a stranded vehicle, when officers kept hearing noises. As they searched the area, they found a crying kitten who had somehow freed itself from a pillowcase, Still in the pillowcase were two puppies. All had been put in the pillowcase & dumped over the bridge! Animal Control headed out in the middle of the night to get these babies & bring them to the shelter. READ MORE...
This sort of thing happens on a daily basis throughout the U.S. where humans treat
their pets or found animals as if their life does not matter. Well, it does! If you aren't an animal lover like the rest of us, at least have the civility to contact animal care authorities.
Sylvester is looking for his forever home after being discovered crying from a drainage inlet in San Antonio. Animal Care Services are being lauded for their work in rescuing the frantic kitten. You have to wonder how this little guy ended up under the streets of San Antonio. It sounds likely that it was a feral mother cat who had her litter and, for some reason had to abandon them. There are so many of these situations that the rescues just can't keep up with them. Read more...
And then there's Ethan, A dog that was left starving outside the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville. KHS says...
"OUR BABY HAS TAKEN HIS FIRST STEPS! While he is wobbly & learning to use his legs again, this is huge progress! Less than a week ago, he was on death's door, & now he is finally able to walk a little again."
Ethan is still too wobbly for adoption but give him some more time and then contact KY Humane Society. "Kentucky Humane Society officials said although Ethan has a "long road ahead of him," they are optimistic that he will fully recover." Read more...
A note beside a dog chained to a park bench told the story of a young boy who had to give up his dog because "the parents were abusing him and treating him very badly." The pup was named Max and his animal angel, Mascotas Coyoacán, provided this scenario...
"The saviors removed the chain from Max and slowly but surely made sure that the puppy learned how to not be afraid of humans and that they can give love, not only pain. The full story of Max, now named Boston, is down below. If you want to help Mascotas Coyoacán save more dogs from living on the street, click here to donate—every penny helps! Also, Max is still searching for a new home, so if you’re searching for a lifelong companion, here is the perfect one."
There's much more in this article with pictures of Boston and Mascotas Coyoacán, a story that should warn the hearts of all of us. Support your own shelters, rescues and humane shelters.Read more...
Apollo was the most loved of all the Greek Gods, the epitome of youth and beauty. There is another Apollo who was not so lucky who "was severely abused and had a pretty hard life." After being abandoned on the side of the road, he was rescued by a woman named Brittany, who soon earned his trust and worked at getting him healthy again...
"Brittany already had six dogs and wasn’t planning on adopting any more, but Apollo was too sweet to pass up. Despite all the suffering that he had endured, Apollo was ready to trust humans and just wanted their affection.
Apollo was very fortunate Brittany came along but other animals often don't have the same experience and the outcome is regrettable for many. Thanks to Brittany for being an animal angel. Do your part and support animal rescues, shelters and humane societies.Read more...
Did you know the average "holding period" for animals at your typical Humane Society before they are euthanized is only 5 to 7 days? Some may hold them longer but that would be out of the goodness of their hearts. This does not include animal rescues, which are no-kill organizations; these are non-profits and welcome your donation. What I am leading up to is you might consider visiting your local Humane Society when you are ready to adopt a dog or cat.
Charlie Boy and Croissant are in the Jackson County, Michigan Animal Shelter, 3770 Spring Arbor Road, a shelter/rescue, but each is in a special needs situation that requires the right forever home. Charley Boy is a 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who is totally blind but still lives his life and doesn't cause him to be worried and afraid of new people. We had a blind cat and it was amazing how she managed to navigate our house, learning most of this on her own.
MLive.com says, "Croissant is a 6-year-old male cat who is big and beautiful just like a fancy French pastry. Croissant’s owner died and he was left abandoned in the house." Croissant likes people, and with a little cuddling and re-socializing, he will be a great pet for the right family. For those of you living in the Jackson, Michigan area, here are some specs. from Jackson County Animal Shelter...
"A meet-and-greet with a dog is mandatory. A cat room walk-through is available to test reaction. The dog adoption fee is $150 for medium and large dogs and $200 for puppies and small dogs, which includes vaccinations, microchip and sterilization."
"Cat adoption fees are $60 for one cat, $80 for two, which includes applicable tests, vaccines and spay/neutering."
