Freedom for Animals: Companion Animals (or "pets", if you're foolish enough to think you own THEM!)

Millions of homeless animals die every year. If you want a companion animal, visit a shelter or rescue organization. Love doesn't require a certain breed, color, size, or that the animal's ears or tail look a certain way. If it does, you're not someone who should have a pet. And you should be ashamed of yourself.

There are 60 million homeless cats in the US. There are millions of homeless dogs, too. Be part of the solution and get your next pet from the pound, shelter, or rescue organization. And when you can, donate to no-kill shelters and rescuers.

About to BUY a pet? THINK AGAIN.

If you really love animals, you'll never help breeders or worse, puppy mills and pet stores, at the expense of the MILLIONS of homeless animals in the US and around the world.

The first test for people who say "I love animals!" is to look, honestly, at the way they treat their own cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, fish, or other pet.

Ask yourself: Where did you get the animal?
At a shelter or rescue organization?

Or did you BUY the animal, perpetuating an inhumane system that routinely abuses animals?

Love and compassion for animals begins at home.

You can't say "I love animals!" and also buy pets from
pet stores, breeders, or other profiteers who see animals as a commodity.

If you do -- you're part of the problem.

If you didn't buy your pet, but know others who did, TALK TO THEM. Educate.

Share what you know and believe.

Speak up for the animals!

Q. Breeders? They're bad, too?

A. Yes. Even allegedly caring breeders can be guilty of over- and in-breeding their animals, resulting in too many puppies or kittens and offspring with health problems and/or bad dispositions (which result in the animals being beaten, put to sleep, or abandoned). The very concept of breeding animals for certain attributes, to sell the animals for profit, is wrong. It's tantamount to slavery, frankly, and breeders who love animals should get out of the business and devote their time to finding homes for the millions of homeless pets, many of whom are homeless because of the unnatural affinity people have for "purebred" animals -- as though a persian cat is somehow better than an "alley cat" or a particular breed of dog is better than a "mutt". The truth? Pure bred animals have lower intelligence and more health problems than mixed breeds.

If you have a purebred dog, did you butcher its tail and ears to make it meet some standard for the breed? Imagine if someone told you you had to have your nose fixed just because you aren't beautiful or handsome enough -- and then fixed your nose against your will.

A. The correct answer, of course, is yes -- and that means knowing the answers to the following questions -- the right, compassionate answers are obvious:

A. Can't afford it or don't know why it's important? Click here to visit Friends of Animals, one of many organizations devoted to spreading the word about the importance of reducing the number of homeless and abused cats and dogs.

Even people who truly "love" their pets can be guilty of these things and more. If you're not doing the best for your pet, it's not too late to start being a good companion for your companion animal. Put yourself in your pet's paws and think how YOU'D want to be treated.

Don't buy pets at pet stores. Pet stores buy from puppy mills (they're just what you'd imagine -- filthy, cruel places where dogs are kept perpetually pregnant, cranking out hundreds of puppies (per dog) per year. Once the female can't produce anymore, she's killed. The same goes for cats, and even "pocket pets" (hamsters, gerbils, lizards, etc...) -- the people who supply pet stores are NOT kind and caring to animals. They're in it for profit, and that never translates to compassion.ALSO -- if your pet supply store also sells animals, find another store. An exception? Any pet supplier who has pets for adoption (but not for sale) -- these rare places are actually helping find homes for homeless cats and dogs. Oh! And while you're out shopping for pet food, avoid Iams and Eukanuba products. Why? Because they test on animals, injuring and killing animals in the process of developing their products for your pet.

If you can't afford to take your pet to the vet, consider NOT having one until you can. If you already have a pet and are living on disability, welfare, or some other provable low income level, check out IMOM.org -- they may be able to help you pay for the cost of emergency and serious medical treatment.

Don't sit back and say nothing if you see pets being abused. If your neighbor beats his dog or leaves the dog outside all day in all kinds of weather, report him to local authorities. If you hear about an animal abuser on the news, write to the prosecutor in the case and demand the stiffest penalty allowable -- "it was only an animal" is a stupid comment heard in way too many cases of animal abuse and death. Demand a strong legal response to all cases of animal cruelty and let your legislators, prosecutors, and elected judges know you're watching their action in these cases.

Practice TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) for any stray cats in your neighborhood. Check the internet for local rescue groups who can help you trap the cats, find vets who'll spay/neuter them for free (or at a very low cost) and then release them. If the cats are at all socialized (friendly with people), you can help find them homes or take them in yourself. Want to know more about trapping and the entire process of TNR? Click here.

NEVER, EVER, buy or accept as a gift any animal that's part of an endangered species. "Exotic" animals are also a no-go. This includes monkeys, lions, tigers, alligators, prairie dogs, and many birds. If you're not sure, "just say no". Animals don't exist to entertain or serve us. There are plenty of dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals that are better suited to being pets -- there's no need to support the scum that poach and breed wild animals for use as pets.