Laws, Limitations & Letting Those In Our Care Down
Animal welfare includes the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of an animal, taking into account their quality of life.
This is not just the absence of pain and suffering, but also companionship and contentment.
Animal welfare is a broad and complex topic and means different things to different people, depending on their beliefs, abilities and limitations.
There are many laws in place to protect animals and owners and keepers have a legal responsibility to provide for any animal under their care, ensuring all of their needs are met.
Despite this, these laws, together with the animals that fall under them, are routinely abused, neglected and destroyed.
The Stark Contrast Between Words & Deeds
There is a huge disparity between what animal welfare organisations say they do and what they actually do, which cannot be ignored, and must be understood.
It is critical that people are aware of the true nature of these services in order to make informed decisions that are in line with their values and beliefs, for the sake of the animal and what's truly best for them.
Worse still, these organisations inflict the very things they say they oppose, under the misguided belief that they are doing what's best, and the question is, what's best for who?
Animal welfare must not be confused with rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing as these are two different endeavours with vastly differing values, beliefs, skillsets and objectives.
We must look to their actions as it's not so much what people say, but what they do and how they do it that counts, and by their fruits, you shall know them. (Matthew 7:16)
Out of The Frying Pan & Into The Fat
Take for example the NSPCA, they say they prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals, but how they do this isn't necessarily what you would expect.
The NSPCA have the power granted to them by the government to remove animals from abusive and neglectful situations, which is great, but what happens next?
They are taken away in a cage, only to be transferred to another cage, where they will remain, frightened and alone, until they are either re-homed if they are deemed saleable or home-able, but sadly, in most cases, they are euthanised.
Being caged is extremely frightening and in many cases, understandably and legitimately results in kennel stress and fear aggression, which increases their likelihood of being euthanised.
Whilst it's great that they have been removed from an abusive and neglectful situation, the cruelty continues and is furthermore amplified, as animals are taken out of the frying pan and into the fat.
The Alleviation of Suffering Through Death
The kindness and alleviation of suffering they talk about is through euthanasia, which absolutely does not consider the needs or wants of the animals, who in almost all cases, want to live.
The only time this could possibly be considered kind, is in the event of the purpose it was intended for, which is untenable suffering that cannot be alleviated, where the animal themselves want to die.
Other than in that exception, all animals want to live, will fight to live and have a right to a life that is free of suffering, with dignity and comfort, that is protected by law under the Animal Protection Act.
It is a lie of the enemy to believe that we are doing the animals a kindness by taking their life, nothing could be further from the truth and is simply what people tell themselves to justify legalised murder.
True kindness and the alleviation of suffering is fulfilling the animal's needs for safety, comfort and happiness through restorative care and relative freedom in a temporary loving home with others, whilst a responsible Trusted Guardian and permanent home is found.
Limiting Beliefs, Ability & Vision
As a faith-based person and organisation, with my focus firmly rooted in life, love and everything that is good, these actions are totally incompatible with the stated objectives.
Having dealt with these organisations personally, they are extremely difficult, unrelenting and unwilling to think outside their very limiting policies and simply don't have the capacity or ability to think higher.
In my experience, the majority of these services don't truly have the hearts of the animals as their cornerstone as if they did, they would be focussed on life, love and liberty and a better and higher way.
For others, personal limitations, beliefs and experiences have jaded them into a belief that there are very few good homes and good people left and this justification leads them down the same path.
The networking landscape is constantly changing and organisations are struggling to keep up, but this is a significant part of rescue and new ways must be sought in order to fulfil the need.
Trusted Guardians & Precious Lives
Unlike most organisations, animal welfares deal with living souls as opposed to lifeless things, but unfortunately, the classification of animals as property has had an extremely detrimental affect and results in abuse of the very laws that were designed to protect them.
Where precious lives are concerned, organisations and people must raise the bar, and the focus must shift to life over death, creation over destruction, truth over lies and faith over fear.
The belief that there are very few good homes for example is a lie, it is neither fact nor truth, and the challenge lies in how to find these homes, not whether or not they exist.
In addition, there seems to be a huge piece of the puzzle missing in that the re-homing element is seriously lacking, together with a belief and vision in what's possible.
Animal welfare is a mixed bag of population control, limited vision, scarcity mindset, wrong thinking, convenience and fear-based solutions that don't truly have the best interests of the animals in mind, the vast majority of whom want and deserve to live.
Raising The Bar
The very words these organisations use create the outcomes they pursue, for example the focus on cruelty and suffering creates cruelty and suffering, it's more than just semantics.
We get what we focus on, and therefore, it would be much more powerful to raise the vision to that which we want to create, unless of course, this is their true aim.
My experience that any animal can find the perfect home and that in the meantime, can be free, happy, safe and with others as opposed to scared and alone in tiny cages, creates a whole different outcome.
Of course, there are always animals who need specialist care, but in a world where everything is possible, this is merely a challenge to be resolved.
The difference that makes the difference comes down to values, vision, beliefs, passion and skill, and with a strong foundation, there is room for excellence, excitement and endless possibilities.
Letting God Lead
As a person of deep faith, I give everything to God and give Him all the praise, honour, glory and thanksgiving.
I myself do not have the authority to take a life, as a Trusted Guardian, my role is to serve, to protect and to do no harm.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
As stewards and caretakers of God's creation, and whereby the righteous care for their animals, it is critical that we allow Jesus, King of kings, Lord of lords and Owner of all, to lead, in all matters.
In our own power and might, the challenge is great and that is why we must give everything over, stand for life and be willing to go against worldly ways in order to create on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Excellence, Excitement & Endless Possibilities
As we think higher and better, as we shift our focus towards what's possible, we are able to create empowering, inspirational and truly uplifting outcomes.
We are more beautiful than we realise and more powerful than we could ever imagine, and when we reach deep into our hearts, when we demand more, of both ourselves, each other and the world, the heights we can reach both individually and together are exponential.
There is nothing more rewarding than a life well-lived, where we can see the difference we have made, the impact we have had and the lives we have touched, all made better because of us.
The greater the challenge the greater the reward, and there's nothing more heart-warming than seeing the living soul that everyone told you was impossible to save, not only live, but thrive.
Foster networks, animal lovers, wide open spaces, love, freedom, life, joy, togetherness, expansive thinking, wide and far-reaching vision, commitment to learning new ways, passion, power and purpose, these are the values we must seek to embrace, embody and excel in, if we are to be the change we want to see in the world.
Ask, Seek & Knock
Contrary to popular belief, the odds are not against us, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:7-12)
Renewing Our Mind
Let us look to the Creator for the answer to all things, for with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
We are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Then we will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
We must let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
On Earth As It Is Heaven
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Mathew 6:9-13).
May we strive towards a harmonious co-existence as we raise our thinking and actions to be in line with Your will and Your way, Amen.