livetowin

Chief_Waterchangers right no matter how much people try to stop something somebody else will keep doing it. It will always be a never ending problem in every society

MissMTS

I definetly understand what you mean. Sometimes I actually feel guilty because I know that there is more that can be done to stop animal cruelty and that I could be helping a lot more. The only thing that I contribute is taking great care of all of my animals, and I have called the SPCA twice: once for a lady who was starving and neglecting her horses, and another time for a lady who was keeping at least 100 dogs in tiny cages in her backyard. I think that if I knew how to help more I would, but honestly, the problem sometimes seems so big for me to tackle on my own. My husband and I have a dream. One day we want our dance studio to hold benefits. We will have a show, and all proceeds will go to the charity of our choice (knowing us, probably something to help animals). Sometimes I think the public needs to know of different ways to get involved and ways that they can actually make a difference.

Chief_waterchanger

Maybe start a group in your area. Whether you go to the library and post it on a bulletin board, or a social/networking site with a group specific for your area (craigslist, myspace,facebook,etc) or whatever the advertising media may be (many free advertising choices out there.) I think that starting a group, or researching with something as simple as a google search for, "animal rights groups: <enter your town/area>", would be a great beginning step towards curbing animal mistreatment in your area. (I love your idea with holding benefits at your studio.)

Once you get a group started, which admittedly, would probably be slow. You could become a liason to other people wanting to do the same in their area. With the proper use of your resources you could invest less time of your own than you might think and get the ball moving big time. Maybe advertise at the senior center (bunch of old folks all fired up about politics and wanting to prove that old folks can make a difference, as well as a large percentage looking for something to do to enrich their lives), dog park, elementary, middle, and highschools (kids go home and tell mom and dad and you could get some people join your cause that way.) If your pet shops would let you post a flyer that would be a great source.

But you can see those great ways to advertise if you would want to start a group. (Using retired folks that have management experience as campaign managers while you deal with your obligations at work and help when you can would be, in my opinion, a great move.)

livetowin

yea there can be a lot of things organized within your local community however many people want cruelty to stop on a global scale but its a start right

MissMTS

Thanks for the advice Chief. It all sounds a little overwhelming, but at the same time, very do-able. Maybe in a couple years when I have more time to dedicate, I can look into something like that

Honestly, I see your point, but I believe that something cannot be stopped on a global level, unless locals with in a community unite together. It can build from there and be taken to a national level eventually with enough with enough hard work and dedication. Any large monumental movement that has happened in history has started with a small group of people banding together in an effort to stand up for what they believe in. I think that to surrender because the problem seems to big for you is not always the right decision. Just a small example: People don't recycle because they think that their individual contribution won't make a difference, but if everyone contributed and nobody had that mindset a difference will be made. If everyone has the "let somebody else who is more powerful handle it attitude" we will never be able to change the society that we live in.

livetowin

Yea Your right thats how most companies and groups start is with a couple of people who won't give up. They win support from their neighbors and community members and the local govt. etc until most people on earth learn about it. Something can possibly be done but it will take a lot of heard work and determination.

sirdarksol

Chief: Don't belittle your taking strays in or turning them over to the pounds. Yes, it's horrible that they likely were euthanized, but the number of young that were not born to be further mistreated cannot be ignored.
As far as your question, I'm not going to brag about anything, so I'll just leave it at "I'm comfortable with the level of work I am doing to help with this problem."

But you're right about the caring being the problem. However, I don't think this is something that will always be a problem. Human society is growing. The human attitude is changing. Consider that, in the past, most people wouldn't care that a guy shot a dog who simply wasn't pulling its weight, or declaw/defang a bear in order to have it fight a pack of dogs.
This is why discussion is important, not just with those who agree with you (in fact, these discussions have little impact, other than to provide solidarity), but with those who disagree and those who aren't sure what they believe. This is how culture grows and changes.

livetowin

Good Point Sol at least you are trying to do something

Devon

I am an animal rights activist on the local level... I just wish I could reach as far as the keychain fish in China.

Amanda

As a former humane society worker (7 yrs. of experience) & current volunteer at a vets office & wild rehabber trainee - I know how overwhelming it can be to "speak for the silent" (my motto). But as overwhelming as it maybe for one person, and it may be hard at times - those are still lives that are being saved. Spay/neuter programs are being put into effect in many areas & humane societies are instilling rules that all animals adopted MUST be spayed/neutered. If everyone does their part in spay/neutering - the numbers of strays will be drasticly cut. But everyone has to do their part.

fishbum

Very Well Put!

livetowin

Every little bit helps in these situations