Pets
Animal Cruelty and Ethics
Issues on animal cruelty in the United States came to the forefront of American media when football superstar Michael Vick was indicted on charges of funding and operating an underground dog fighting ring in his spare time. He reportedly trained the dogs using harsh punishment techniques, even killing dogs that didn’t perform well enough. In the wake of such an emotionally supercharged topic, one must ask the question of how our animal cruelty laws are enforced, not to mention the ethical principles guiding legal valuations.
First, let us understand animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is characterized as applying unusually harsh forms of punishment imposed on animals for either no reason, or pure entertainment. The impetus for animal cruelty behavior among humans is highly debated. However, psychology has shown that high occurrences of animal cruelty during childhood are an indication of future psychopathic and sociopathic behavior.
Even more sensitive is the ethical valuations of different forms of animal cruelty. The debate is centered on whether or not animal have the same sense of being and also if their existence warrants a certain set of “unalienable” rights (if you will). Anthropomorphic sentiments are often attached to these debates, citing that one should protect these animals’ dignity and honor. Organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) go so far as to promote vegetarianism, expose bad meat-processing techniques, and prosecute other organizations that overstep what some consider to be inhumane killing processes.
The large issue of whether or not killing animals is okay will unfortunately never be resolved. Big money businesses have generated huge profits from killing animals in order to supply the ever-growing fresh meat market. And while killing these animals seems to be permissible, there is an undefined threshold at which the treatment of animals goes from being right to being wrong.
Because the line is not defined, translating this threshold into a legal structure becomes extremely difficult. Questions like ‘What exactly connotes cruelty?’ and ‘What is unnecessary?’ come to the forefront of the debate. Subjective valuations get thrown around until something is actually agreed upon by the majority, usually stemming from an emotional tolerance level which varies across any given population.
We may never know what actually is right or wrong in any given situation, partially because it isn’t a matter of fact; it’s a matter of feeling. And since these varying emotional sentiments that permeate into reality are far from static, our perception of reality is skewed with bias. Michael Vick was convicted on the grounds that his activities were illegal. Whether or not it was right or wrong, we may never decide.
By: Joseph Devine
About the Author:
For more on other animal-centric issues, visit http://www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com
Joseph Devine
Humane Treatment of Animals
Throughout the last several years, understanding animals has greatly evolved. Horrible, nightmarish acts were carried out on animals, all in the name of science. A lot of people thought that the animals they tortured actually did not have any emotions or feelings what-so-ever. The horrid tests they performed on these poor lab animals were beyond comprehension. The scientists working on the animals thought that the screams and desperate attempt to free themselves was all a part of an inherent reaction, void of pain or fear.
Thank goodness we now know this to be absolutely false. Animals can physically feel pain, just as humans. Studies have shown, beyond a doubt, that animals actually experience stress when placed in less than comfortable circumstances. When ‘feed’ animals are kept in the same room as the animals being butchered, their vital signs drastically accelerate, as well as portraying nervous tendencies. Sadly, they also distribute emotions for the animals being harmed or killed.
The cruelty we still inflict on caged animals can not be tolerated any longer. Even though we know they greatly suffer, the habitats and living conditions of these animals are abominable. A well known fast food chicken restaurant keeps their chickens piled on top of one another, cuts off their beaks, feeds them steroids and antibiotics, just to name of few of the inhumane acts. Not only do they not care that we know these things, they’re arrogant in their reply to go eat somewhere else if it upsets you. Although I will not name this restaurant, with a little effort, you’ll easily be able to find this information, along with video proof.
We need to be more proactive, and demand more humane treatment of the less fortunate animals who are born into, or adopted into such research labs or food houses. Just because an animal is going to be killed, doesn’t give the people who are housing the animals the right to abuse them during the time they are alive. It’s bad enough they’re there for the reason they are. We also need to demand that they are put down in the most compassionate way possible.
When you are searching for a new veterinarian, take the time to ask him/her what their stands on animal’s aches, pains and emotions are. You may be shocked to discover many veterinarians do not even distribute pain medication after surgery; especially routine surgeries, such as neutering, spade, cutting the horns off of bulls, etc… The more traditional veterinarians will actually laugh in the face of a ‘newer age’ veterinarian who takes the animal’s pain and comfort level into consideration. It is shocking to learn this, because you would think if anyone has compassion about an animal’s comfort level, it would definitely be a veterinarian. Many of the schools teach them to put up a wall to shield themselves from getting too emotionally attached. They do the same thing in medical and nursing school; they try to teach you to be detached from the patient, so the caring tendencies which usually helped you decide to go into this chosen profession, are quickly buried and covered with all the technical aspects of the business.
People need to start insisting that their health care providers for their pets and farm animals bring compassion back to the forefront of their chosen profession.
Humane treatment of living animals is not asking too much. Every little bit of kindness we can put back into the world will put a pin-point of light into the darkness.
By: Tracey Wilson
About the Author:
This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/, which is a site for Pets.
Cats
Owning a cat can be a very gratifying experience especially if you’ve done your homework and understand the tasks involved in having one as a pet.
The First Few Days
It is only natural that when you take your new kitten home, it may feel lost and disorientated. It will meow in search of her mother, hide in tiny places, refuse to eat and in general be sad. The way to alleviate this stress is to try and make her feel at home and comfortable all the time.
Cats, like many other pets, like good habits. It is important to keep a clean litter pan as they are very fussy. Feeding should be carried out at regular intervals especially in the first few days. It is wise to check the diet required for particular breeds, as various foods will be composed of different nutrients and vitamins which may apply to some breeds and less to others
Attitude and Training
Cats are an independent species and can be very hard to control especially if they have reached a certain age. It is advisable that training starts from the first few weeks. If this is done properly, the sacrifice and time spent to train your cat will serve a lifetime. Here is a short list of some cat attitudes and their meaning:
Biting – starting to having new teeth
Constant meowing – hungry, lonely or possibly dirty environment
Trying to get out the minute you open the door – need more outdoor time
Burying everywhere except the litter box – not pleased with litter box
Rubbing of head against you – marking you or your stuff as its territory
Scratching against windows – frustration of not getting hold of what’s out there
Hissing while petting – thank you, but I had enough of stroking and petting for today!
Care
Brushing and grooming is very important for your cat. As much as diet is the primary important factor in taking care of your cat, psychological attention forms an important part in the formation and character of your cat’s actions. Taking care of your cat, however, does not stop in giving it food and petting it. Reproduction is an aspect one needs to consider when owing a cat. Unless breeding is something you are into, taking precautions such as spaying and neutering your cat are some things to consider.
The experience of owning a cat should be a pleasant one both for you and the cat. Cats are very difficult pets to please and they are very choosy in what they like, but with some research, particularly on the breed one prefers and some good advise, the feeling of having a cat or even many of them, is without doubt an enjoyable and rewarding one.
By: Sandro Azzopardi
About the Author:
Sandro Azzopardi is a professional author who writes several articles on various subjects on his web site and local newspapers and magazines. You can visit information about this article and others on: [http://www.theinfopit.com/science/animals/cats.php]