Responsibility for Animals

How Can We Help Animals?

Most people believe we have a responsibility to our fellow creatures, but what that means is a subject of debate. We asked Beliefnet members what they're doing to help animals. They came up with a variety of ideas, from preserving their habitat to going vegan to adopting only the number of pets we can really care for. The bottom line: Be conscious that what we do has an impact on other species.

Sponsor a Species

I love to help animal charities by "adopting" an animal. So far I have adopted a dog called Sam from the Dogs Trust (you basically sponsor a dog that can't be "re-homed" but will be looked after by the Trust for the rest of their life--they never put a healthy dog, no matter what its problems, to sleep), a horse called Will Scarlett who is a retired police horse at a local horse sanctuary, and I also sponsor a trainee guide dog called Megan.

Today I got a leaflet from the WWF about the species that most need our help and you can adopt one of them for as little as 3 ($6) a month. I have just today adopted a panda called Zhu Xiong in China who was rescued from a farming village. I think it is a great way of helping animal charities, and at the same time you get to learn more about the animals and you get regular progress updates on your adopted animal.

I would recommend this form of giving to anybody. It is a really worthwhile thing to do and I get so much pleasure from it.

-Crystal_Rose

Take Pet Ownership Seriously

If we make the decision to have a pet, it is our responsibility to make sure they are well cared for, not just by providing shelter or food, but love and affection too. I also believe when one is considering a pet, the person should really think about it, it should never be a spur of the moment decision. Do some research and know what having a pet involves first. It is a lifetime commitment. I have heard stories about people who take on a pet and then after a month or so, decide it isn't for them, so they end up taking the animal to the shelter or just dropping it off somewhere. As a result, the poor animals become traumatized or homeless (very sad). We need to be more mindful of the things we do in life.

--Moonlightlady

Be of Service to Nature

We had Mama bear and her three cubs in the yard again yesterday...I just got a call from my friend down the road and that a bear the size of a rhino was at her screen door-6' from her. His muzzle was very grey--an old bear no doubt that is staying around the neighborhood because he can't manage much anymore. She talked with him and asked him to go away and he turned and slowly walked away.

I do fear there will be another rampage of bear destruction in this country--again because we refuse to see ourselves "in service to nature" and we insist that nature must serve us at nature's expense...make me sad, makes me angry.

When I say save the bears what I really mean is, send grace to the bears and to the animals that are out of space, misplaced and confused and now causing trouble.

--Raisie

Question Animal Testing

I personally am 100% against animal testing. I think there are so many better alternatives, and the animals are treated cruelly! I have spoken out against animal testing for over 25 years and just now are people starting to wake up to the cruel fact of testing. It has been said that if you see all the animals disappear, then the humans are next. We must see our future in the future of animals. If we destroy their land, we also destroy our land.

--karink

Help Dolphins Survive

I want these majestic, intelligent, creatures set free. Here in Florida, about two months ago we had a 30-year-old female dolphin die, and one injured at a show for 27 people, at Discovery Cove. The trainers got their signals crossed, and Sharky (that was the dolphin's name) died on impact. When pressed for information about Sharky, the trainers could not remember if she was captured for research and presentation, or if she was captivity bred. How unbelievably sad.

The only time an animal ever needs to be captured, is when humans have so damaged their ability to reproduce, so damaged their environment...Since we are their destroyers, it is up to us to help them survive.

--Divalicious

Don't Leave Out Disabled Pets

Pets with disabilities can often be the most special. I was co-owner for a few years of a blind American Eskimo Dog and a partially paralyzed weiner dog. Both had a lot of spirit and didn't let their disabilities slow them down. People always got a huge kick out of seeing the weiner dog zoom around in his "wheelchair."

-Mytmouse57

Try Eating Vegan

Responsibility is something very important to me. If there is an animal in need of help and I have the ability to offer my help, I always do.

The same concept applies to all of us. We must help if we are able to. The animals at the slaughterhouse need our help. The best way to help them is to not purchase meat or animal products such as eggs, cheese, milk. We are capable of helping animals by eating vegan...and so we MUST. We also MUST buy products that have not been tested on animals. It is our responsibility.

Imagine the world we could all live in if everyone capable of helping those in need of help did just that. What are you here for, if not to help others to the utmost of your abilities?

--SkyWalker53

Make Conscious Choices

I am trying to work the [dairy] problem out....Some people say in order for us to have milk, we have to take calves away from their mothers. [Other] people argue that we can manage the dairy so baby cows can still be raised by their mom cows' milk, and we still consume some dairy.

Let's say we rescue some cows and take care of them well. We feed them nutritiously and naturally and let them live in a comfortable environment. If they get pregnant and give birth to calves, they have milk in their bodies, right? If we don't do business, can we consume their milk [while] their babies are still thriving on it too? Can it be both ways?

--moraltruism

Related Posts by Category