Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King Jr.
*The above quote by Martin Luther King Jr. could be applied to so many aspects of our world - including animal care and animal rescue. Want some examples? Bet you have lots of your own - even some personal ones that could be examined and corrected?
"Oh I don't think __________happens here." "We aren't that kind of community where there would be _________________(abuse? puppy mill? dog fighting? hoarding?)!"
"They are just dumb animals, they don't feel or understand anything..."
"My property, I can do with it what I wish - you can't stop me"
"Of course a puppy needs to be shown who is boss, that cowering shows they respect you."
"That shelter finds homes for all of their animals, they don't actually euthanize any."
"That's a religious community, they wouldn't run puppy mills."
"That's an important person in the community (sports, media, entertainment) they couldn't abuse animals."
"There is a lot of people helping with those animals, they don't need me."
"What can I do?" and for too many this last question, instead of moving them forward to action, stalls them out. They watch infomercials, they read the news but still do not see that they may have a place in doing some real helping.
Talk to a rescuer, talk to a shelter volunteer, talk to someone who has adopted and they will tell you that any of the above, and more horrifying ones, have not only been heard but too often and in too many places.
They've seen the sad eyes, the flinches, the cowering and the fear. They've seen the aggression from animals who are lashing out due to fear or the need to survive. They've put in countless hours caring for sores, talking softy in frozen or maimed ears, spent days and days encouraging a dog to touch grass for the first time in its life.
When someone wants to pretend that animal and human abuse doesn't happen they are having a holiday floating on DeNial, the cruise may be quite lengthy but always ends in reality, even for a short 'port of call'.
What can we do? What can you do? Simply: what you can!
Steinbach & Area Animal Rescue has no shelter building - we foster our animals so they have a home. We have a network of other rescues we work with across Canada and the US to ensure that there is always someplace for animals to go. We give of our time, we give of our homes and our love. Some cannot foster - they do fundraising, they offer transport, they advocate to the media, they work with people to increase their understanding of better pet care.
The thing about doing 'just one thing' is that if we all did 'just one thing' so many amazing things would get done because everyone would be doing something - rather than wondering what or considering who or even deciding not to.
Have you wondered how the guys of Rescue Ink, Sally at Hull's Haven and so many others started down their path? Was it one thing or a culmination of many? What was it for you? Next time you visit a shelter or a rescue ask them. Ask why they are there - you'll meet some amazing people and hear some amazing stories. Some will hearten you and others will break your heart.
Join a group or ten on Facebook! Volunteer to drive a leg of a relay or transport! Offer your time and support in whatever way you can...you'll be surprised how good it feels. And you'll be helping in many ways - including reducing the danger of "sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity"!
Sometimes it can be as easy as cross posting a lost dog notice or a need for a foster...anyone can give a click! Start with a click and then follow a link and see where it takes you...and I'll see you along the way!
*Photo borrowed with thanks from Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue Facebook Album.
