We live in a strange society. One that purchases fragrances and nail polish for our pooches and scoops up expensive individually portioned gourmet meals for our felines. Shhhhh...don't call it cat food, Muffin might not eat it! We spoil them rotten and brag that they are just like our children, only with four legs and fur.
Yet when it comes to providing them with forever homes we fall short and often. Animal shelters and rescue centers are filled with companion animals that were brought in because their caregiver decided the animal no longer fit their lifestyle, apartment or budget.
My volunteer work with a local rescue group opened my eyes to this problem and what I saw was not pretty. Some animals are turned in because they were too messy or because the apartment that their caregiver chose to move into does not accept pets or because there is a baby now and no time for their pet.
The reasons are many but one thing remains the same. The responsibility to the animal should be a forever commitment. No more ifs, ands or buts. No more excuses.
Friday, August 21, 2009
An open letter to the HSUS regarding Michael Vick
An open letter to Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States regarding Michael Vick.
Wayne Pacelle, you state the position of the HSUS is that you are not vouching for Michael Vick's character and you are only giving him a chance to make good on his promise to be part of the solution to end dog fighting.
With all due respect, Vick only admitted to his involvement and brutality after failing a lie detector test and then said his actions were poor judgment and a mistake.
The truth is Vick went far beyond the usual cruelty associated with dog fighting when he participated in hanging and slamming dogs to the ground until they died, among other horrific activities.
HSUS's own dog fighting expert, John Goodwin said "If you want to kill a dog, why exert the energy to slam him into the ground or drown him? Why not just shoot him, which is the most common method?" He goes on to say "That is insane. These guys, if they did that, have serious problems."
For the HSUS to have a wait and see attitude, believing Vick wants nothing more than to help change the culture of dog fighting is at best, naive.
At worst it is allowing the good name of the HSUS to be associated with someone whose goal is to change the public's perception of him so he can again make millions of dollars in his chosen profession.
Surely there are better ways and better role models that could break the chain of dog fighting than bringing this sick, narcissistic man right where he wants to be- which is in the public spotlight.
Whether or not you want to see it this way, the public does view Vick as a HSUS representative. This is detrimental to the organization and what it stands for no matter how much money Vick brings in for the cause.
With all due respect, Vick only admitted to his involvement and brutality after failing a lie detector test and then said his actions were poor judgment and a mistake.
The truth is Vick went far beyond the usual cruelty associated with dog fighting when he participated in hanging and slamming dogs to the ground until they died, among other horrific activities.
HSUS's own dog fighting expert, John Goodwin said "If you want to kill a dog, why exert the energy to slam him into the ground or drown him? Why not just shoot him, which is the most common method?" He goes on to say "That is insane. These guys, if they did that, have serious problems."
For the HSUS to have a wait and see attitude, believing Vick wants nothing more than to help change the culture of dog fighting is at best, naive.
At worst it is allowing the good name of the HSUS to be associated with someone whose goal is to change the public's perception of him so he can again make millions of dollars in his chosen profession.
Surely there are better ways and better role models that could break the chain of dog fighting than bringing this sick, narcissistic man right where he wants to be- which is in the public spotlight.
Whether or not you want to see it this way, the public does view Vick as a HSUS representative. This is detrimental to the organization and what it stands for no matter how much money Vick brings in for the cause.
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