I found myself wondering today (after watching the latest puppy mill video from the Humane Society on a raid on a Border Collie mill rescue operation), when it became socially acceptable to stop caring, stop being responsible for other lives, and when it became ok to be cruel to another soul. Another sentient soul includes not only humans, but all life forms. All animals feel pain, love, happiness, and compassion.
Most of society prefers to turn a blind eye to the uglier side of our working relationships with animals.
On the mill issues; several people I know would rather have the status symbol of a "purebred" pet, they wouldn't stoop so low as to rescue an animal in need, or a purebred pet that has been abused, or abandoned. It's sad actually. Animals have become another commodity and get mass produced without a thought for their care. They are kept in squalid conditions, in filth, bred constantly, no interaction with people or sunlight most times, no toys, never hear a gentle or loving voice, and the list goes on again.
On raising animals for medical products; female hormone replacement therapy drugs are made mostly from pregnant mare's urine. Premarin, prempro, etc. The mares are bred constantly to keep them pregnant to harvest their urine for the production of these drugs. The colts are sold from birth most times for slaughter for leather products etc. They don't even stand a chance of life. The mares who can no longer produce, or put out the amount of urine expected, are slaughtered. If you want to learn more about it, go to: United Animal Nations and check the page on the Premarin mares and their work to raise awareness on this issue and how to adopt a rescued horse from the program.
We read about animal hoarders, it is a mental condition in these people, but once again, most of society doesn't want to be involved or help stop this.
We read about dog fighting and the sensationalism with Michael Vick and the way he abused or killed the dogs that lost or weren't worthy to fight anymore. We read about a teenager who went around capturing people's cats in Florida and torturing them and dissecting them alive. Or about the teenagers who baked a puppy alive. Or how about groups taking shelter animals slated for euthanasia and using them alive on a hook for shark bait! I kid you not, it happens and when I found out about it I had nightmares and woke up crying for weeks over that one.
The list will always go on until the majority of us really stand up and say enough! We need to step forward, educate people of the myths of gender and spaying and neutering, educate them about proper care, support the non-profit organizations in legislation against animal abuse and their capability to help those who might not have the means to supply care for their animals. We need to take the steps necessary to put breeding mills out of business, visit the ASPCA's site for 10 Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills. Take a stand and promise to adopt your next pet, whether from the shelter or a breed specific rescue organization. Teach your children to truly respect all life and it's role in the world and your lives. Teach them that it is wrong to purposely hurt, injure, or kill another being. Be willing to learn and share what you learn about animal care and responsibility. Be a responsible pet owner/caretaker. Stop pretending it doesn't happen!
2 comments:
Just an FYI, the production of Premarian stopped 3 years ago. It was due to market demands. Premarian fell out of favor as the prefered hormone treatment for women and it was replaced with other drugs. As a result 1000's of horses hit the market place as the producers in Canada (yep that is where the stuff was produced) sought to make money on the mares and their foals.
I hope it perhaps is true. I hadn't read that. To my knowledge Premarin is still available as is Prempro, one of my Drs recently wanted to put me on it under the foolish notion that because I had completed menopause I needed it.
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