Thesis and Title: Animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect are a huge problem.
In the US pet ownership has traditionally been a choice and a right of every citizen. The abuse of this privilege has to lead to activism on the part of people who care that these animals are helplessly mistreated and abused, even killed on a daily basis. The ASPCA says, "Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly. ... Neglect is not giving an animal necessary food, water, shelter or vet care (ASPCA, 2017)." Some people feel that policing this issue is an invasion of their right to pet ownership. Usually, the …show more content…
Impulse buying is an issue with not only pets but over-spending. The impulse to buy a cute adorable puppy or kitten is not controlled. The pet owner enjoys them while they are small and charming, but soon the responsibilities of pet ownership start to feel more like work. The reality of healthcare, vet visits, housebreaking or litter training, and medicines becomes overwhelming for some. Additionally, there are the everyday costs of food, toys, and time taking care and socializing a pet. Sharing shelters like your home or apartment and the chores involved in cleaning up after a pet begin to discourage pet owners and lead them to wish they had never gotten that cute little pet. All too often the pet ends up abandoned, neglected, or the target of …show more content…
Some people don't grasp the scale of the problem. There are studies linking anti-social behaviors such as murder, rape, and violent acts as having a link to previous instances of animal cruelty (Ascione & Arkow, 1999). Animals are helpless to defend themselves against their abusers, and if we allow it or turn a blind eye to it, we condone that behavior and suffering. As a society, we become desensitized to it, and this leads to more and more heinous acts. Where do we draw the line? We need to treat animal abuse as a crime with helpless victims, precisely the way we treat and look at child abusers. Animals were not put on this earth to allow us to have victims but to be loved and used for the love they give to us. This capacity can be heart-wrenching when you see an abused animal literally dying for a kind word or a soothing
In the US pet ownership has traditionally been a choice and a right of every citizen. The abuse of this privilege has to lead to activism on the part of people who care that these animals are helplessly mistreated and abused, even killed on a daily basis. The ASPCA says, "Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly. ... Neglect is not giving an animal necessary food, water, shelter or vet care (ASPCA, 2017)." Some people feel that policing this issue is an invasion of their right to pet ownership. Usually, the …show more content…
Impulse buying is an issue with not only pets but over-spending. The impulse to buy a cute adorable puppy or kitten is not controlled. The pet owner enjoys them while they are small and charming, but soon the responsibilities of pet ownership start to feel more like work. The reality of healthcare, vet visits, housebreaking or litter training, and medicines becomes overwhelming for some. Additionally, there are the everyday costs of food, toys, and time taking care and socializing a pet. Sharing shelters like your home or apartment and the chores involved in cleaning up after a pet begin to discourage pet owners and lead them to wish they had never gotten that cute little pet. All too often the pet ends up abandoned, neglected, or the target of …show more content…
Some people don't grasp the scale of the problem. There are studies linking anti-social behaviors such as murder, rape, and violent acts as having a link to previous instances of animal cruelty (Ascione & Arkow, 1999). Animals are helpless to defend themselves against their abusers, and if we allow it or turn a blind eye to it, we condone that behavior and suffering. As a society, we become desensitized to it, and this leads to more and more heinous acts. Where do we draw the line? We need to treat animal abuse as a crime with helpless victims, precisely the way we treat and look at child abusers. Animals were not put on this earth to allow us to have victims but to be loved and used for the love they give to us. This capacity can be heart-wrenching when you see an abused animal literally dying for a kind word or a soothing