Before conducting an investigation of these comparisons and contrasts, it is first suitable to question why. Among the many political and public concerns faced by the urban sector, why should initiatives be taken to address animal welfare? In a more policy related approach to the question, an overpopulation of domesticated stray animals pose public health and safety concerns, thus questioning the safeguard of humans who may coexist with them. But from a cultural standpoint, one must cease to dismiss the history of animal domestication over the millennia. More specifically, felines and canines have been bred and domesticated over anthropological history to be our workers, our companions, and even our teachers. From the symbolic standpoint,
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But it is very well known that in the United States animals have been domesticated to be our workers as in the case of agricultural practices, and also the use of horse drawn carriages in our major cities. Additionally many of our canine companions were bred to be hunters and watch dogs. While some of these practices may rightfully challenge ethical issues concerning animals, it is important not to dismiss domestication as a process. In other words animals may have had to start out as our workers, protectors, and hunting partners to later become recognized as our companions. This would all evolve as technology progressed during the industrial revolution whereby functions performed by animals could be replaced by a more modern …show more content…
While animal shelters today correctly market themselves as safe havens for homeless animals until they are re-homed, the roots of animal control organizations were established to challenge the threats of zoonotic diseases and public safety concerns. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) argues that there are approximately 270 zoonotic diseases worldwide and this number is ever-growing. Such diseases are those that are capable of being spread from animal to human or vice versa. In addition it is important to note that the CDC estimates approximately six out of every ten infectious diseases in humans are from animals (Morand, S., McIntyre, K. M., & Baylis, M. 2014). These may include a variety of infections such as worms, fungi, bacteria and viruses. However, one of the most perilous zoonotic diseases and the underlying basis of why animal control exists anywhere is it that of the rabies virus. While some countries today do claim to be rabies free, it is fair to say that the rabies virus is a worldwide epidemic. And while more common in underdeveloped countries, first world nations also have their share of rabies as depicted in the map below (Bramham, L.
But it is very well known that in the United States animals have been domesticated to be our workers as in the case of agricultural practices, and also the use of horse drawn carriages in our major cities. Additionally many of our canine companions were bred to be hunters and watch dogs. While some of these practices may rightfully challenge ethical issues concerning animals, it is important not to dismiss domestication as a process. In other words animals may have had to start out as our workers, protectors, and hunting partners to later become recognized as our companions. This would all evolve as technology progressed during the industrial revolution whereby functions performed by animals could be replaced by a more modern …show more content…
While animal shelters today correctly market themselves as safe havens for homeless animals until they are re-homed, the roots of animal control organizations were established to challenge the threats of zoonotic diseases and public safety concerns. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) argues that there are approximately 270 zoonotic diseases worldwide and this number is ever-growing. Such diseases are those that are capable of being spread from animal to human or vice versa. In addition it is important to note that the CDC estimates approximately six out of every ten infectious diseases in humans are from animals (Morand, S., McIntyre, K. M., & Baylis, M. 2014). These may include a variety of infections such as worms, fungi, bacteria and viruses. However, one of the most perilous zoonotic diseases and the underlying basis of why animal control exists anywhere is it that of the rabies virus. While some countries today do claim to be rabies free, it is fair to say that the rabies virus is a worldwide epidemic. And while more common in underdeveloped countries, first world nations also have their share of rabies as depicted in the map below (Bramham, L.