Do you ever wonder why some people care so much about animal welfare, while others are indifferent - or worse, actively cruel? Some think that while people are suffering, animals are of secondary importance. But it's also important to care about animals and treat them well. Here are just some of the excellent reasons why you should care about animal welfare …
1. It's Compassionate
Caring about animal welfare is the compassionate thing to do. Obviously, the best way of supporting animal welfare is to adopt a vegan diet. But if you choose to eat meat and dairy products, buy from producers who treat their animals well. Choose to support those farmers who keep the animals in good conditions, and whose animals are killed humanely.
2. Living Creatures
Animals are living creatures; they don't exist just to provide us with benefits like food. As such, they deserve our consideration. If you see an animal being mistreated or suffering, report it or intervene. Don't call a kill shelter to rescue an animal; you'll only ensure that it's likely to end up being destroyed. Look for a rescue group with a no-kill policy.
3. Makes Us Better People
Caring about animals is part of what makes us better people. It may be easier not to think about how humans cause suffering to animals, but we should make an effort to support better practices. Look for beauty and makeup ranges that don't test on animals or use ingredients of animal origin. Supporting ethical producers shows that there is a demand for cruelty-free products.
4. Responsibility
The sad fact is that humans cause animal suffering. Sure, the natural world can be a brutal one, but animals are never deliberately cruel like people can be. As the supposedly higher species, we have a responsibility to care for other creatures. Do what you can to promote responsible and compassionate treatment of animals and other creatures.
5. Everything Matters
Some people think that it's a waste of time to worry about animals, and that people are more important. It's true that there are many other bad things going on in the world, and that people are suffering. But our compassion is not limited to one thing or the other; we can care about both animals and people, and try to help both. Supporting animal welfare need not be expensive - make careful choices as a consumer.
6. Wasteful
Have you ever read the statistics about how wasteful a meat-based diet is? The grains used to feed an animal could feed far more people than the meat from that animal could. Could the land be better used to grow foodstuffs that will feed people? We should all be aware of how our choices affect the world.
7. Cruelty
It's important to do what we can to eradicate cruelty towards animals. So many of our lifestyle choices cause suffering for animals. Why should animals suffer just so that we can have another shampoo on the market, or so that we can wear makeup? As for wearing fur, well unless you live in an incredibly cold region there's absolutely no justification for that.
Animal welfare is a truly important topic. We all need to do what we can to support humane treatment of animals. It's not something that we should brush aside; if we do, we are condoning the suffering that goes on. What do you do to support animal welfare?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is animal welfare important for women?
- Caring for animal welfare promotes empathy and kindness, values that nurture stronger communities and personal well-being.
- How does supporting animal welfare impact my lifestyle?
- It encourages mindful choices like adopting pets responsibly and choosing cruelty-free products.
- Can caring about animals reduce stress?
- Yes, interacting with animals and supporting their welfare can boost mood and reduce stress levels.
- What simple actions can I take to support animal welfare?
- You can adopt pets from shelters, avoid products tested on animals, and spread awareness.
- How does animal welfare relate to environmental health?
- Healthy animal populations contribute to balanced ecosystems, which supports a cleaner environment.
- Are animal-friendly products better for my skin?
- Often yes; cruelty-free products tend to use gentler, natural ingredients.
- Can teaching children about animal welfare benefit my family?
- Absolutely, it fosters compassion and responsibility in children from a young age.
- Is volunteering for animal welfare groups time-consuming?
- Volunteering can fit any schedule and offers rewarding experiences even with just a few hours a week.
- How does animal welfare influence food choices?
- It encourages choosing ethically sourced and sustainable foods, which can improve health and reduce harm.
- What if I live in a small apartment but love animals?
- You can still support welfare through fostering, donations, or advocacy without needing a large space.