April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and the ASPCA is urging supporters across the country to support their efforts to fight animal cruelty.
This post is dedicated to their efforts and to animal lovers everywhere who spend time-saving all animals from cruelty and danger.
Art Linkletter was right. Kids DO say the darnedest things. When my son was nine, he wanted to adopt a kitten. That’s when our world changed forever.
I don’t know if he wanted one because he loved animals or whether he yearned to have someone to play with. Whatever the reason, I thank him for his wisdom.
We never considered adopting anywhere other than our local shelter, where selfless volunteers provide loving care to any dog or cat, either in their meager two-room building or fostering them in their own homes until adoption.
Our first kitten, Max, was a 4-month-old orange tabby. He was joined four months later by Newton, a shy black and cream-colored tabby. Four years later, an abandoned gray and white cat appeared on our property (our home abuts several acres of woods.) Whitey became our third cat. Then came Smokey, a Russian blue who was rescued from the streets of Newark.
Pets give unconditional love to young and old alike. They soothe our souls and are endlessly entertaining. They become part of our family by capturing our hearts.
But the outside world can be a cruel place for animals. We hear stories of the abuse and neglect people inflict on them in shameful and horrific ways that are shocking and appalling.
My cousin, Gabrielle, is active in rescue efforts for her local German Shepherd rescue. Her love and patience show in helping with adoptions and adopting these beautiful animals herself. Look at her beautiful German Shepherd, Chance:
“He was believed to have endured terrible abuse and was found under the freeway with seven open wounds on his head that the vets think are likely from cattle prods. He had a symbol of sorts carved on his side and had several scars from cigar and cigarette burns on his hind legs. He was terrified and traumatized, and Heartworm Positive when he came home, and it took a LONG time to come out of his shell. With love, time, and patience, Chance's strength and courage that pulled him through the tough beginning showed up as a resilient, majestic dog. He never overcame his initial apprehension around new people or fear of unexpected noises.”
Then there's the story of Sammy, an incredibly neglected 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel whose owners claimed to have found him in a garbage bag on the side of the road.
Today, the couple faces multiple criminal charges of animal cruelty against Sammy. A court date is scheduled for May (check the “Sammy the Cocker Spaniel” Facebook page for updates.) Sammy has received an outpouring of love and medical attention from The Red Bank Veterinary Clinic in New Jersey.
New Jersey is one of 16 states that still considers animal abuse a misdemeanor, not a felony. To that end, over 27,000 people signed a petition calling for stricter sentencing. It will be presented to the prosecutor’s office before the trial of Sammy’s former owners. Please consider signing the petition.
Chance and Sammy are two examples of successful rescues. Not all animals are as fortunate. We must speak out and make it a federal crime in every state for acts of cruelty against animals. Let’s use our voices to speak up against animal abuse. Here are a few ways you can help put a stop to animal abuse:
Make a difference by helping our furry friends. Speak up now to change legislation. We owe them to do whatever it takes to stop animal abuse.
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All of my pets have come from local shelters. They've all been fantastic, if I do say so myself.
Cathy, thank you for bringing this to the forefront. I hope people will join in the fight against animal cruelty. Also, rescue animals are the greatest pets. I always say that our rescue dog thanks us every day.
Thank you for this wonderful post! I could not imagine life without all my wonderful animals. My husband has put his foot down about my son and I rescuing any more cats. 🙂 It just breaks my heart to see them fending for themselves, especially when they're babies. I rescued a shepherd mix pup about a year ago. He and the rest of his half-grown litter mates were abandoned in the desert, and only 3 were lucky enough to be caught. There is no doubt in my mind these dogs were abused before being abandoned. He remains extremely apprehensive about strangers, loud and/or unexpected noises startle him, and, in general, he doesn't care for men until he gets to know them very well. He is my constant companion, even going to work with me. He's also extraordinarily protective of me. Perhaps as a thanks for rescuing him. And despite the many challenges I've had with him, I couldn't imagine not having his happy face around.
awesome post. that's all i can say, too much abuse to even think about.
Your cats are so beautiful! And I love that photo of your son with the cats - precious. I agree that animal cruelty needs to be a federal offense. I think I've told you that I used to work for the ASPCA many years ago (and also volunteered there). This is a truly important post and I think you should definitely post it again next week in case anyone missed it today. 🙂
All of my animals are rescues. My first dog, Dickens, I rescued when she was just 9 months old from an elderly woman who was beating her with a broom. A year later, I rescued Lady from a shelter the day before she was to be put down. Sekhmet I rescued from a no kill shelter, after she had been returned twice.
Humanity could learn a lot from animals! Animal cruelty should be a felony every where. It makes me sick to think how animals are treated by those who are supposed to care for them. But it warms my heart to know there are other people like myself, you and Mel who care enough to do something about it. 😀
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