Indifference Kills

There are a lot of situations in life in which I abide by the rule that if you are not going to make it better, at least stay out of the way of those of us who are trying to make a difference. When it comes to animal rescue and welfare, I don't think staying out of the way is a good enough option.

Changing the reality for animals is going to take involvement from each and every one of us. Because when it comes to innocent beings, indifference kills. If you see a hungry dog or cat on the streets and give him nothing, you may have cost that animal his life. Food is so scarce, especially in the cold months, that one meal may actually provide a homeless soul the energy to go scavenging in a dumpster tomorrow and not die of hunger. If you see someone kick an animal, cuss at it, throw something at it and you say nothing, your inaction may be deadly. Perhaps this specific animal will walk away unharmed or minimally harmed. But the person will likely be violent toward a cat or a dog again and may injure, maim, or kill the next unlucky critter. And did you know it is a well established fact that those who are violent toward animals are also violent toward people? Yep, the person you ignored when he was kicking the puppy might choose to kick, rob, or murder your loved ones tomorrow.

Raising awareness for animal welfare is also the work of each and every one of us. You are reading this blog entry which you probably found on a rescue-related site. So it is a fairly safe assumption that you personally support rescue work and have some level of awareness regarding the dire need for more animal advocacy. But the fact is, the Western world makes it incredibly easy to remain blissfully unaware of this information. If you live in the US like I do, for example, as you walk out your door, there are no homeless animals on the streets. There are no public service announcements about the reality of animal homelessness. Occasionally you see an ad on TV by an SPCA of some sort and it's too sad so you mute it until your program is back on. So you can realistically, without putting forth any special effort, go through life not ever facing animal homelessness. Ever. Your reality has been conveniently sterilized of this 'unpleasantness'. So you don't educate your children about animal rescue. You don't donate to rescue groups. You don't foster animals in need. Not because you wish animals ill. But simply because you don't realize what the true numbers and need are.

Enter rescue advocates! I don't believe in using guilt, constant graphic images, or self-righteous speeches as the way to promote animal rescue. But I do think each one of us has multiple opportunities, every single day, to mention the topics of rescue, animal welfare, and responsible pet ownership. It is through these efforts, unobtrusive and mild, that minds are changed and people are educated. Because doing nothing is not good enough. Not doing anything equals not giving a life-saving meal, not providing needed shelter, not arresting animal abusers, not adopting innocent pups and kitties who are homeless through no fault of their own. And that is simply not an option!