A natural consequence of considering animal rights is that you will begin realizing, if you haven’t already, how many animals are in urgent need of shelter right now. Immediately.
Societies abuse of animals includes massive breeding programs creating unsustainable overpopulation in many many areas. This is obvious in farming where animals are bred to be killed so people can eat them. It is less obvious in other areas like the Dairy Industry, Horse Racing Industry, Dog Racing Industry, and Pet Industry.
The Dairy Industry produces is dependent on the overbreeding of cows (which is one of the factors that makes it such a cruel industry). The male babies have no value and must be removed from the cow at birth or they drink the profits. The farmers have the male babies slaughtered within days of being born. It is very difficult to formulate any rescue plan for these male calves because the industry continually breeds them.
In the the dog and horse racing industries massive quantities of dogs and horses are bred and trained for the first year or two of their lives, until the owners realise they are not going to be winners. These guys then get discarded, and the vast majority are killed. There are very active rescue operations in most countries trying to save these guys and getting them to caring homes as pets. Google terms such as “race horse rescue” and “grey hound rescue” to find organisations close to where you live.
Many dogs, especially beagles, are used in laboratories for testing cigarettes, cosmetics, medicines, and cleaning products on (amongst other things). Various activist groups are continually working to close down these businesses, and when they are successful, the rescued animals need homes. Google terms such as “laboratory animal rescue” to find local organisations you can assist.
The pet industry, and pet shops in general, create a massive problem for animals because they provide a market for puppy farms to sell into. Puppy farms bred vast numbers of dogs that can be sold as “cute puppies” through pet shops. An extremely large number of these become unwanted as soon as they are a year or two old and go to dog pounds, or if they are lucky, dog rescues. Encourage everyone you meet that wants to a pet dog to get one from a dog rescue, not from a pet shop.
Many vegans say that vegans should not own pets.
Our view is, you don’t own animals that you take in.
You become their guardian. You take responsibility for caring for them and looking after them in a world where humans have the upper hand.
While there are unwanted pets in need of rescue, rescue them and provide them the best loving home you can.
