July 21, 2007

 Animals are living beings and they have the right to live happy, healthy, peaceful lives on Earth. Sadly, there are people who treat animals very harshly. Animals cannot speak for themselves but they do have feelings. They suffer quietly at the hands of such unkind people. Given below are some ways in which animals are subjected to cruelty and also some suggestions regarding what you can do to save these animals from suffering.

Circus animals

Using animals in circuses is inhumane and unnecessary. Human performers choose to work in circuses but animals are forced to perform in the show. The animal trainers use sticks, rods and other objects to prod, shock, and hit animals in order to teach them various tricks. They do this all for a few moments of human amusement. In addition to the physical mistreatment, these animals are deprived of the freedom to roam freely in their natural habitat. They are chained and forced into lives of captivity. All this cruelty cause tremendous amount of stress and makes them sick.

Animals such as monkeys, bears, goats and dogs are made captives by people we call madaari in Urdu. These people also beat the animals with sticks in an attempt to teach them some tricks. Later they take their animals on the streets to show their tricks to the onlookers.

As people watch the animals performing in circuses and on the streets, they clap and laugh at these animals without realising the amount of stress and pain these animals must have gone through before coming out to perform in front of them.

It is not acceptable to mistreat animals and put their lives in danger for the sake of amusement. If you want to save these animals then you should not see those circuses that have animal performers in them. Similarly you should not watch the animals performing on the streets. This is the only way you can discourage circus owners to use animals in their circus. This is the only way you can save these innocent animals from cruelty.

Furry animals

Some people catch and kill animals to make profit out of their fur and skin. The fur and skin of many animals such as bears, leopards, elephants, seals, deer, rabbits, cats, dogs, etc, are used to make coats, hats, shoes, bags, lampshades and many other things.

To discourage such unkind people, you should not buy things made of animal fur and skin. This can save the lives of many animals.

Pets

Many of you like to keep animals as pets in your homes. Some of you keep pets just because your friends also have them. You look after your pets and play with them for a few days and after some time you become careless towards your pets and almost forget them. Some children treat their pets very harshly. They hit them, drag them and pull their tails while trying to play with them.

You must understand that your pet is your responsibility and you have to look after it and care for it. You have to provide it with proper food and water. You have to take care of its cleanliness and hygiene. If your pet is a cat or a dog then you must provide it with a space where it can play and move about freely within the confinement of your house. Make sure that you take your dog out for a walk. If someone else looks after your pet then again it’s your responsibility to check if he/she is fulfilling his or her duty promptly or not.

Birds kept in cages cannot use their wings to fly freely. They frequently suffer from captivity-related stress, leading to behavioural and physical problems. Similarly fish kept in a glass jar or a small aquarium cannot swim freely the way they would have, had they been in open waters. Keeping birds in cages and restricting them from flying is not kind. Similarly keeping fish away from their natural environment and restricting their movement is also an act of unkindness.

Sometimes your family or you abandon your pets when they fall ill and can’t be looked after. This is very wrong. If you’ve taken a responsibility you must fulfil it. Instead of abandoning your sick pet take it to a vet and get it treated or give it to animal shelter or someone who is caring and is willing to take responsibility of your pet. If you don’t want to be unkind to animals then keep pets only if you think you can take proper care of them.
 

Animals in pet shops

Pet shops often crowd animals in cages, neglect to clean enclosures, feed the animals with stale food, and deny veterinary care to injured animals. If you care about animals then you should never purchase a pet from such pet shops. Always adopt a pet from animal shelter or take in an animal from a friend or an acquaintance who is unable to provide adequate care to the pet.

Animals and pollution

People going to the seaside often throw empty bottles, metal cans, plastic bags, etc in the water. These things not only pollute the seawater but also put the lives of sea animals in danger. Pollution is also destroying the natural habitat of animals living on land.

You must have heard the term ‘global warming’. It is being caused due to pollution. As a result of global warming, ice in the arctic region is melting. This is making the living conditions for the arctic animals, like polar bears, very difficult. You can be kind to these animals and save them from extinction by not polluting your environment.

Animals are mistreated in many other ways. Horses and donkeys are made to carry and pull heavy loads. These loads are often so heavy that poor animals are hardly able to walk. This can adversely affect the health of these animals. People harass and throw stones at stray animals such as cats and dogs.

They also try to catch the babies of these animals. Some people try to catch birds and butterflies and in doing so they even injure or kill them.

Be kind to animals and discourage all those who are cruel to them. Also tell others to do the same. Remember, even a small act of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of many innocent animals.