Letter: Be the game changer

“Anonymous Pet Owner, Impala Park, writes:

Game changer, the very thought brings to mind if our current ways of caring for our animals are in itself effective. Alternatively, is it time for additional new changes or do we improve on current ways? If the latter is necessary, then whose responsibility will this be?

The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the need for everyone to remain united, to maintain self-discipline and to ensure that everyone follows safe and hygienic practices at all times. The situation allows for people to step back and reflect on their lives, as well as compelling individuals to address his or her needs versus requirements.

Humans have basic needs to fulfil and families to take care of. In addition, our animals have also been affected to an extent, and in some cases, worse than others. These animals depend on us for their basic needs and their survival.

As a responsible pet owner, I reflect on the past and current ways regarding human care of animals. Was the care of animals’ worse before the pandemic, or have neglected, abused and abandonment of animals increased?

As a concerned citizen and pet lover, I am aware that there is only so much one can place blame upon the pandemic. My responsibility towards the care of my pets has never been waived, irrespective of the situation.

But that is me. It is my responsibility to ensure that I continue to care for them always. I’m also aware of many people who continue to love and take care of their animals too.

However, there are still many animals that are not cared for by their owners appropriately. Why?

Addressing everyone’s needs and requirements means it also applies to our four-legged furry babies.

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Animals become part of the family once taken in. It is depressing to note that this heart-wrenching matter continues to persist with a few pressing common issues that knock on our doors daily.

The number of dogs that are reported ‘lost’ via social media is something to be reckoned with. A responsible pet owner should always be aware of where their pets are.

Besides ensuring fresh food and water daily, the pet owner should ensure that the yard is properly enclosed that there are no loopholes in the fence for the animal to escape through or to jump over.

Also opening and closing of driveway gates remains the pet-owners responsibility to ensure that their pet is safe in the yard. Cats, no matter how much care and attention they receive tend to stray from their homes at some point before returning home. Cats will be cats. It’s in their nature.

A second pressing issue is that of some dogs barking relentlessly at night. This is seen as being disruptive and it angers many of the residents.

The dog barks for various reasons – perhaps the dog sees a cat, maybe it senses an unknown individual in the yard or the street, or it is trying to get its owner’s attention for a reason.

Whatever the reason may be, I believe that dogs are not to be silenced, dogs need to bark.

However, having said that, it remains the pet owner’s responsibility to check and see what the matter is that may be causing the dog to bark continuously.

In this case, the owner should be responsible enough to wake up and check. Shifting blame on dogs is easy as it diverts negligence or failure on our part as humans reflecting on our inability to attend to the matter.

This brings to mind how many pet owners talk to their pets? How many neighbours seek or offer assistance or advice to each other? This in turn raises another concern, “are we approachable and if yes, to what extent?”

Trust and respect are also huge factors impacting neighbourly relationships.

As humans, we focus on survival and therefore look at different ways to obtain an income. A lucrative business that seems to have no end is the breeding of animals in one’s backyard, and where the pups are sold for a fee.

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The animal mother, in some instances, is of poor health as a result of continuous breeding and lack of care. Let’s not forget our felines who are allowed to continuously breed, because it is considered “cute”.

Have you heard the following, “My cat just had kittens again. I am looking for a home for some of them. They are for free.”

A human’s intelligence is supposedly considered to be higher than all other creatures, yet humans fail in their inability to see the bigger picture of where this leads to and what it encompasses.

Animal shelters are full to the brim of abandoned animals. Some animals remain there for the rest of their lives. Many animals are also euthanised if homes cannot be found. As humans, we tend to become angry at such situations and blame is shifted from one to the other.

We become angry with each other, we beat ourselves up at the thought that perhaps the situation could have been prevented.

Amid the anger, we hurl accusations and stop ourselves from continuing to supporting animal welfare organisations.

Again, as humans, we are quick to blame, but this raises a familiar concern. As a responsible pet lover and concerned citizen, what would you have done differently and how would you have gone about addressing this particular situation.

To spay or neuter the animal or not to spay or neuter, continues to remain a debate amongst humans. I put forward to you, my fellow human being, to please take into consideration the number of animals without homes. Facts are facts, we cannot deny that thousands of animals are euthanised annually.

To criticise euthanasia is understandable, however, what efforts have you made to help reduce the numbers. Do you allow your pet to continue breeding because this allows you to have more pocket money?

Remaining silent encourages continuous breeding and increases an animal’s suffering.

Focusing on one’s anger only causes separation from a great cause, a separation that only worsens the situation, deviating from the initial subject on hand. Online petitions requesting support to fight against various animal abuse matters, highlights the countless number of animal abuse cases and stresses the desperate need for change.

Also, financial strain continues to tug at everyone’s elbows, adding to the woes of man.

Further to that, just as we are quick to post a photo of a dog or cat in need of a home, have we given thought and asked: “why?”

Why are there so many animals homeless? Wearing love and compassion on our sleeves is great.

As humans, we have more than enough of it to share, so much so that it’s become “tradition” in a manner of speaking, that when we are faced with looking for homes for animals in need, we automatically forward a photo of that animal with ease.

Finding homes for the animals is great, but it does not solve the many pending issues on hand.

Irritability and frustration at having unknown cats pooping in your yard or the dog next door that barks continuously. As social creatures, we tend to project our feelings of annoyance as the thought of the matter tends to disgust some of us.

The very air that we breathe, the fire that keeps us warm, the water that sustains us, the wind that blows through our hair, and the space that we occupy, is there for everyone, humans and animals since we all play a role in life, and as blessed by Mother Nature.

Who are we to argue with Mother Nature.

In a time in which we are currently faced with diseases, drought, floods, fires, earthquakes and high living expenses, including not knowing what tomorrow may hold, it makes us wonder if all the irritability and frustration is worth it.

The world is influenced by good and bad. It remains our responsibility as pet lovers and concerned citizens to increase the good deeds and to continue to ensure that the welfare of animal lives improves. There is no time like the present to remind us that life is too short for blame games and finger-pointing. Rather, let us support one another and be on the lookout for each other regarding all animals. Solutions are key.

To make the necessary improvements, the focus must be on the “bigger picture”. There is no excuse to stop from continuing to provide support and to help improve the welfare and care of all animals no matter how bleak the situation may appear to be.

Many animals are suffering at the hands of humans. Unfortunately, the matter cannot be sorted within a day. But it can be sorted out over time. And to reach that period, the matter on hand needs attention one day at a time.

To ensure that the lives of all animals continue to be improved and to be sustained in a positive light, it starts with you.

Are you prepared to be that game-changer?