For those of us involved in animal rescue, the issues are limitless. Do we lend our hand, heart, time, money to a no-kill shelter, since they have the right idea? Do we work with the animal control / kill shelters to reduce the numbers of euthanized animals? Do we go out on our own?
As for the animals themselves, who "deserves" the most compassion? Tiny babies - puppies, kittens, piglets- who never asked to be born and haven't had a chance at life yet? Old timers, senior animals that were given up because they weren't "fun" anymore, or got to be "too burdensome?" Dogs who lived their entire lives chained in the backyard, receiving food and water but never enough love? Feral cats, who were scratching out their own existence before being rounded up like vermin? Farm animals, livestock, who were only thought of in their ability to be productive? Victims of cruelty, who endured pain and suffering unimaginable?
These are all tough choices. Some people choose to have a very narrow focus. Some people feel drawn in all directions and become paralyzed by the overwhelming need. Some people just sit back for someone to call out and ask for their help. How do you choose where to lend your support? What other actions do you take, through where you shop or what services you use? How can we work together to spread more help and do more good?
As for the animals themselves, who "deserves" the most compassion? Tiny babies - puppies, kittens, piglets- who never asked to be born and haven't had a chance at life yet? Old timers, senior animals that were given up because they weren't "fun" anymore, or got to be "too burdensome?" Dogs who lived their entire lives chained in the backyard, receiving food and water but never enough love? Feral cats, who were scratching out their own existence before being rounded up like vermin? Farm animals, livestock, who were only thought of in their ability to be productive? Victims of cruelty, who endured pain and suffering unimaginable?
These are all tough choices. Some people choose to have a very narrow focus. Some people feel drawn in all directions and become paralyzed by the overwhelming need. Some people just sit back for someone to call out and ask for their help. How do you choose where to lend your support? What other actions do you take, through where you shop or what services you use? How can we work together to spread more help and do more good?