Treatment of animals - why don't we care?

Question

This is a response to a previous post apologizing to the Animal Kingdom for being human. Someone responded saying why don't we care about people first, as they are more important than animals. Why can they not be equal? I do know the arguments, but really, I guess I personally just don't understand. We are to take care of the animals, not use them at our descretion for any fool thing we want. If we need them for food, then okay. But when we don't need them as food, or use them in sport etc thats where it gets rediculous.

Secondly, speaking for myself (and maybe others), I will always choose to support animal charities over most human charities and causes. I do care a great deal for animals and have always gotten along better with them. BUT also because humans have their own voices, and most people DO support human causes. So I feel that it is only right to support those who have very little support and cannot speak for themselves.

Answer 1

I understand what you are saying almost perfectly. Animals cannot speak for themselves or protect themselves properly from humans. I think that kindness should just be something everyone practices, whether it be to their neighbor or to the stray cat in the neighborhood. I support human charities as well as animal charities but only in situations where I believe the people being given help cannot or are not able to speak for themselves. Animals are not supposed to be our playthings. They are alive and need protection as much as the people. I'm with you on this one.

Answer 2

I support both human and animal charities, though I do support animal charities a little more. But I am a student, so I can't give everyone lots of money.

I would like to point out that some sport involving animals is fine - I do dog agility, and my dog loves it. I would only do it if she did. She always gets really excited when she sees where she's going.

I care about animals and humans equally, or at least animals and those humans who can't speak for themselves (children and disadvantaged people). I can't say I have much sympathy for those humans who harm animals or other humans.

A note to Valarie - don't you think that if we are superior, we should look after those weaker than ourselves? We kill Grey Squirrels as they are taking over the Red's territories, yet all they are doing is trying to survive. I can't see humans going to a new country, and saying "Sorry, I'm not going to have any children as there are too many people in this country already". Yet, humans have the brain power to think this.

I think we need to take a long hard look at ourselves as a race. We need to look after this planet, or we'll lose it. We have the ability to think about the consequences of our actions - maybe we should. And by the way, no one's mentioned Vegetarianism in this post (actually Jessie said that she thought eating animals is fine), so the end of your post makes no real sense. And as you mention - we are using up our resources, so maybe we should keep giving money to animal charities, some of which concentrate on looking after the environment.

Answer 3

I think it is great that you support animal charities, just be smart and research what your money is buying - or who it benefits. As a person involved in "rescue" (meaning I actually "save a life") I am appalled at the likes of the American SPCA and the Humane Society of the United States (and many others). Their literature would have you believe they save animals - they don't. They have no shelters and they fund no shelters. They both have well over $50,000,000 in assets (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate) but no shelters. Always look for a non-profit's IRS 990 filing. The link - if it is on their web site - is buried somewhere. If there is no link then they are either hiding something or lazy. Go to the ASPCA web site and find the link - it is there, somewhere - but alas it doesn't work....

Be informed! Make a difference and support animals directly. Check the financials of your local Humane Society. If they have a few million dollars they really don't need your money - they need to spend some of theirs!!!

The animals thank you!!!

Answer 4

I believe that we are to be stewards of the animals. God gave us a job, and it was to take care of the earth. Animals and all of the earth should be a top priority for all humans. But, we should all find what God calls us to care for. I was telling my mother about an animal that was abused. She immediately began telling me about a group she saw that was trying to help children who were being used for prostitution. You have to find that thing that sets a fire in you. That is why we are all different. There are so many causes; we can't possibly help them all. If animals in need is where your heart is, that is a worthy and compassionate choice. However, others may find a human charity their passion. Go with your heart.

Answer 5

I agree with this post.

Also, it is important to care about the treatment of animals because it reflects the way we treat our fellow humans. If you cannot care for an innocent animal and treat it with the respect or dignity it deserves, what can that say about your regard for humans?

I want Valerie, below, to define "superior." Or tell us what a proper measurement for superiority is. Because nothing in our history, or the history of many other species, points to us being "superior."

I think superior, in relation to species, means successful living measured best over time. We have existed for only a small percent the time of some species. Yes, we have become parasites but that is not what we are biologically. Unless you can go into a den of wolves, sans weapons, and not come out as the meal, remember, you're just meat too.

Answer 6

As a superior race, the weak are killed to make room for our advancement. Animals are not intended to be our playmates, they are meant to be our food. We as a race are parasites. We use up all of our resources until there are no renewable ones left, then we die. The strong will survive. They cannot speak for themselves for a reason. They are meant to be our food! We need to leave animal rights alone and fix our dwindling resources and our over-populated cities. They only thing research and charities do is complicate the problem. We need to simplify this earth or all will be lost. Quit hugging trees and go eat some meat.

Answer 7

We care because they(the animals) don't have there own voice just like babies. Both are important when they have no voice. And they are treated equally when you think about it. Many people are animal lovers and only donate to their cause and tother people only people causes and then some who do it all. like Me.