Are We in Denial About Animal Cruelty?

Can we be aware of something yet shockingly unaware at the same time? That seems to be the case when it comes to animal welfare and cruelty. Everyone knows that humans have the responsibility to coexist peacefully with animals.

We’re all taught to treat animals humanely from a very young age. That’s why many of us adopt pets, purchase products that are “animal cruelty-free,” and help local animal protection charities. But, are these efforts enough?

The shockingly high number of animal cruelty cases that are reported every day across the world suggests otherwise. Millions of cases go unreported as well. Unlike human victims of violent crimes, animals can’t register complaints with local, state, or federal agencies.

That’s why understanding the true extent of the animal cruelty crisis is not easy. But, the more we try to learn about these details, the better. Let’s explore the importance of understanding, acknowledging, and addressing cases of animal exploitation, suffering, and cruelty.

Types of Animal Abuse: What Types of Cruelty Do Animals Face and Why? 

Cruelty and neglect against animals is a phenomenon that crosses all social, economic, and national boundaries. Animal abuse is shockingly common in both developed and under-developed countries. 

  • In the US, 10+ million animals die every year due to cruelty and negligence. 
  • In Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, 9+ million dogs are brutally slaughtered every year. 
  • Approximately 30 million dogs and cats are killed every year in Asian meat trade markets. 
All these instances of animal cruelty can be categorized into the following groups:
  • Cruelty by Omission: This refers to instances of neglect. Animal cruelty by omission takes place when people don’t adequately care for their pets. For instance, subjecting your pets to inhumane living conditions.
  • Cruelty by Commission: This type of cruelty refers to the active or premeditated abuse of animals. When people torture animals (e.g., hosting dog fighting tournaments) or use disproportionately violent punishments, they commit animal cruelty by commission.

In most cases of animal cruelty, the victims are livestock animals (cows, sheep, etc.), dogs, cats, and horses. There’s another way of categorizing animal cruelty based on who is committing the animal abuse.

Individual Abuse

This type of abuse involves individuals who are intentionally cruel to animals. Some examples of individual violence or abuse against animals include –

  • People hoard a bunch of animals and then don’t take care of them.
  • Pet owners who punish their pets violently (e.g., not giving them food for days).
  • Animal owners intentionally expose their pets to dangerous living conditions.

Dogs and cats are the likeliest to experience this form of abuse.

Organized Cruelty

Organizations that intentionally abuse animals cause the most amount of damage. Some examples of organized cruelty against animals include –

  • Illegal meat trade shops where animals (often dogs and cats) are butchered for their meat.
  • Animal transportation companies that don’t store or treat the animals properly (e.g., animals suffering from broken limbs on delivery trucks).
  • Groups that engage in cockfighting, dog fighting, and other forms of violent crimes against animals.

It’s the legal system’s duty to investigate and combat acts of organized violence against animals. But, individuals can report instances of organized violence against animals and get the at-fault organizations in trouble as well.

Why is it Important to Save Animals?

Animals are sentient beings. They have unique personalities, strong emotions, and advanced cognitive capabilities. All these qualities prove that they deserve our moral consideration. Acts of animal cruelty directly attack the basic rights and needs of animals. 

Social contact, playing, exploring, breeding, avoiding pain, staying away from confinement, etc. – are the types of rights animals deserve. Is it too much to ask humans to recognize these basic rights? Of course not. 

After all, justifying violence against animals is like walking on a slippery slope. If today, people freely deprive animals of food, water, and other basic rights, tomorrow they’ll do the same to humans. That’s why animals’ rights are important. 

Every human has the right to demand protection from risks like slavery, cruelty, or death. In an ideal world, all animals would receive the same rights. But, in this unideal world, the least we can do is prevent instances of humans needlessly exploiting helpless animals.  

What Are Some Examples of Animal Rights?

Several countries still don’t have basic animal welfare laws & regulations. Thankfully, many do. Although animal welfare laws are not properly enforced in many of these countries, they still have positive effects. 

The most important effect of such laws is that they legally differentiate animals from inanimate objects. Of course, this form of animal rights is highly diluted and not 100% effective. But, these laws at least acknowledge basic rights for animals such as –

  • Not to get tortured or brutalized by humans.
  • To live and not die without any rhyme or reason.
  • Free from dangerous confinement.

India, the second-most populated country in the world also happens to be one of the world’s most bio-diverse regions. That means human and animal clashes happen almost every day in this country. 

That’s why protecting animals is a fundamental duty of everyone who abides by the Indian Constitution. Legislation like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 or the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 also helps. 

Animal rights in Asian countries like India are still not as advanced as in countries like Switzerland. But, animal rights issues are far worse in other Asian countries China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

Methods to Help Animals – Can You Make a Difference?

The Internet and social media platforms are great allies to animal rights activists across the globe. These technologies allow people to –

Highlight Instances of Animal Cruelty

Do you remember the famous case of a man throwing a puppy from a terrace? Social media users made that clip viral which ultimately helped law enforcement officials identify and punish the culprits.

Create Petitions

Individuals or animal welfare organizations can use petition websites like Change.org to raise awareness over animal rights issues. These petitions are ‘shareable’ on social media platforms. They give ordinary people the chance to rally around pro-animal causes. For example, in 2014, 70,000+ people signed a petition from the Humane Society International India. This petition demanded a full-scale ban on the import of cosmetic products that were tested on animals into India. The Drug Controller General of India received this petition and illegalized the import of cosmetic products that aren’t cruelty-free.

Join Organizations

Many animal species are presently threatened by hunting, wildlife poaching and trafficking, habitat degradation, and pollution. Every day, billions of animals are subjected to horrendous abuse. There are organizations that address the fundamental causes of their pain in order to make the most difference in their lives. Other animals are abused and neglected, and to prevent them from any harm, these organizations are actively working for animal rights and promoting programs to gather volunteer support on the Internet.

If you ever notice instances of animal abuse or cruelty, get in touch with these organizations. You can even ask your local police department to investigate these animal cruelty cases.

Worldwide Organizations Working on Animal Cruelty

The WSPA (World Animal Protection) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). These are the two most famous worldwide organizations working on issues regarding animal cruelty. 

Both of these non-profit animal rights organizations have been in operation for several decades. PETA alone has 9+ million global volunteers. Many local organizations are working 24/7 to raise awareness about animal cruelty as well. These organizations support the idea that, regardless of whether or not they serve human needs, animals have rights and should have their best interests considered. They also feel pain and are determined to live their own lives, just like us, humans.

Bark India and Animal Warriors are great examples of such organizations. These organizations are working with the sole motive of saving the voiceless from the cruelty they face from the corners of the world. Their impact on UPDEED is continuing to inspire many users with their life-saving courage for the voiceless in pain. Let’s see how:

Bark India Charitable Trust

Bark India Charitable Trust aids injured street dogs to have a long, happy, and healthy life. The organization’s mission is to ensure that street dogs and animals are watched, cared for, and treated where required.

They are actively supporting homeless dogs and animals, ensuring that they receive the comfort and treatment they need. On UPDEED, the team actively showcases their rescue operations and to aware people about animal cruelty and what can be done for their safety.

Animal Warriors

Animal lives are not meant to be played with, treated poorly or worse, or as a commodity, and should have equal rights to live freely. In order to safeguard and preserve nature and wildlife, the Animal Warriors Conservation Society came into the role. 

Animal Warrior and its volunteers awake 24×7 to be the conservators for the unheard. On UPDEED, the organization continues to post about their rescue programs and aware people of how small actions are done for animal welfare can influence the world towards kindness and humanity

Getaway

Looking at the increasing animal cruelty, prevention has been included on the Concurrent List, which indicates that both the Union and State Governments have the authority to establish laws in this area.

Adopting a pet is an excellent way to start contributing to the elimination of animal cruelty. Many pets, according to studies, suffer from inadequate care, and abuse.

By bringing a loving animal into your family through adoption, you can both save and free up space at the shelter for some innocent animals that might be in dire need of care and love. Recognize the animal’s needs in your area and provide it to them before it’s too late.

You may also volunteer at your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) organizations to walk the pets, wash and groom the animals, or clean the shelters. Determine the requirements of your local SPCA and give accordingly. Toys, food, or blankets might all be donated. You may not be able to own a pet, but by giving, the animals can feel your love.

Don’t be in denial about animal cruelty. Find such animal rights organizations on UPDEED and learn more about them. Learn, participate, and contribute! To read such inspiring stories of organizations working for animal rights, download the app.

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