Animal Suffrage and Why it Should be Stopped

FBI to Begin Tracking Animal Abuse Data in 2016

 

Is it fair that animals around the world are suffering? Every day an animal is being beaten or neglected. This may involve beating, stabbing, shooting animals and even setting them on fire. I think this is wrong and should be stopped immediately. Also these animals are neglected like, not giving them necessary food, water, shelter and vet care. Most of these animals are dying everyday. Some examples of animal abuse would be dog fighting, puppy mills, animal hoarding, farm animal welfare, horse slaughter, and any other animal issues.

Dog fighting is when dogs are forced to defend themselves against other dogs for profit or entertainment of other people. This is wrong and a terrible thing to do to any animal. These animals are held in isolation and spend their time on heavy chains. They are pushed in many ways under bad conditions. For example, “They are regularly conditioned for fighting through the use of drugs, including anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and encourage aggressiveness,”(The Criminal, Underground World of Dog Fighting). Even though dogfighting is illegal in every state, people are still doing it for money.

Animal hoarding is when a person has too many animals in one house at a time and can’t take care of all of them, which leads to neglect between the animals. They should not have this many pets which is unfair to the animals. They each need personal attention throughout the day. This person may deny that they have so many animals which can be a sign of animal hoarding. Another sign would be, “They have numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care. Their home is deteriorated (i.e., dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in the wall and floor, extreme clutter), and also there is a strong smell of ammonia, and floors may be covered with dried feces, urine, vomit, etc,”(A Complex Issue). All of the animal abuse should be stopped immediately before another animal dies of suffrage.
In conclusion I believe animal abuse is the worst thing you can do to an animal. It is not fair that they are being beaten and stabbed. These animal are dying everyday which should not be happening. They are pets and living things not something to make money off of. They should be taken care of by an owner who actually cares about them. The things these animals are going through should be stopped immediately. I hope you too understand why we should take action by helping animal shelters that rescue these animals.

~Malika

Preserving Sea Turtles – The Gems of the Sea

The number of sea turtle in the wild are declining at such a rapid rate that some populations of sea turtles might never come back! There are 7 types of sea turtles in the world. They are green sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, leatherback sea turtles, flatback sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles and kemp’s ridley sea turtles. A typical meal for these turtles range from jellyfish, to sea sponges, to seaweed and small fish. Some of the larger turtles even eat lobsters and crabs. Of these 7 species of sea turtles,  6 of them are endangered. These sea turtles get tangled in fishing nets and they get run over by boats. Also, their eggs are taken from beaches and in certain areas they are hunted for food. Along with all of these challenges that these turtles have to face, habitat loss and food shortage is a another problem for them. These sea turtles can live anywhere from shallow bays, coral reefs and open oceans to estuaries and lagoons. Pollution is damaging many of these places and making it hard for sea turtles to live in a safe environment.  Overfishing is also a threatening problem to sea turtles because the more fish that people take from the ocean, the less fish the sea turtles will have to eat. With all of these problems the sea turtle population has decreased by almost 35% since 1995. Only humans can help to set things right again so that sea turtles can start to thrive in the world’s oceans again.

 

SEE Turtles

 

An organization called the Sea Turtles Conservation Center started a program called the Billion Baby Turtles project. Billion Baby Turtles supports sea turtle conservation organizations that work to protect sea turtle hatchlings.  The funds go towards paying local residents to patrol important turtle nesting beaches, protecting turtles that come up to nest, and ensuring that the eggs are protected. Overall this organization has protected over 500,000 baby sea turtles since this project first got started, In 2015, 150,000 endangered green sea turtle hatchlings were successfully released in Mexico, nearly 40,000 green turtle hatchlings in Cuba, and more than 20,000 critically endangered hawksbill hatchlings in Nicaragua and El Salvador. In 2015, Overall, 234,000 baby sea turtles were protected and released into the ocean in just the year of 2015! On average it costs 1 dollar to save 1 hatchling. People can donate by buying plush toys, jewelry, books, sweatshirts, water bottles and much more.  People can also (symbolically) adopt a sea turtle or sponsor the organization. With help from around the world this organization is helping to preserve one of the oldest and greatest reptiles in the ocean.

I believe that this organization is going to help boost the sea turtle population in the wild. I am so happy that an organization like this is working towards stopping the illegal stealing of sea turtle eggs and habitat destruction. I think that the practice of taking sea turtles eggs for food is wrong. With each egg taken, there is one less baby sea turtle in the wild who can help the population to start to thrive again. With each dollar that somebody donates to Billion Baby Turtles, 1 baby sea turtle is saved. I hope that people keep donating to this worthwhile cause. Without sea turtles, whole eco systems will be imbalanced in the ocean. In just 20 years the leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles are expected to go extinct! I think that Billion Baby Turtles and other organizations like it are the key to preventing sea turtles from vanishing from the ocean. With the help of the world, then maybe the population of sea turtles in the wild will increase, but I know for a fact that it can’t be done alone.

~Minoli

Do you Know the Truth about Animal Testing?

I bet you didn’t know that there is over an estimated 26 million animals in the United States that get tested every year.  They are used to determine whether a medication, that is used for a humans, are is toxic or not.  Whenever animals are used for testing they are food and water deprived or they are forced fed, and sometimes will get burns and cuts on purpose just so they can test out the medication.  Rats, mice, fish, and birds, which is 95% of the animals used in testing, are not protected by the Animal Welfare Act.  The Animal Welfare Act is the protection for animals from testing.  Just because the medications pass the animal testing doesn’t mean it is good for humans to use.  94% of the medicine that is approved for animals is eventually failed in the human testing clinic.  

I feel we need to put a stop to animal testing.  If we don’t do it to humans then why is it fair to do it to the animals?  Just because we don’t want humans to get hurt doesn’t mean we need to hurt animals.  Scientist need to come up with a better way to test medicines so that no one is being harmed.  How would you feel if someone was testing you with stuff that does not benefit you at all?  This is a cruel act to do to an innocent animal that has not done anything to harm you.  Guess how many animals die a year from testing.  Approximately 100 million animals die a year, just in the United States,  from animal testing including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds.  Is this how we treat animals?

~Ari

Cats- Man’s Best Friend

Ah, yes. The age old question- Which common household pet is superior? Typically, people hold a strong stance on either side, although some are indifferent and others prefer birds or something. However, obviously cats are the best. Hold on, sit down, dog lovers. I can hear you practically scrambling out of your chair, preemptively writing a comeback argument. And that’s fine! But just read and look over my reasons why before you type “Dogs are totally 100 PLUS 20 percent better! Dogs deserve an A++!!” In my opinion, cats are better for three main reasons; They are self sustainable, quiet, and small.

Cats, compared to dogs, are self sustainable once they reach a certain age. You don’t have to let them in or out (Unless it’s an outdoor cat), and you don’t have to feed them every day. if you get a cat feeder and fill it with dry food, they can eat whenever they’re hungry.

Cats are also considerably quieter. Whenever you have guests over, you don’t see your cat jumping all over them. With dogs, that desk is probably going to get tackled, or at least get jumped on. They’ll also bark a lot, and generally make a lot of noise. Cats will stay quiet, and observe from afar, only approaching after some of the general commotion has died down.

Additionally, cats are better for people in apartments, due to their small size and general quietness. Even in a small apartment room, cats can find various ways to entertain themselves and not make too much noise- Assuming you’ve provided toys and the like for them, so that the cat doesn’t find entertainment out of tearing down your curtains. There are lots of toys that are sure to keep your little tiger entertained, many of which are at a reasonable price! My cats, Finnegan and Chase, are both rather active and playful. They really like the feather fishing-rod things, although they quickly eat the feather.

So there you have it- Now, dog lovers, you can release you reasons on why dogs are infinitely better than cats. Although I’m very sure they won’t convince me that dogs are better.

~Haleigh

Rising Temperatures in the Arctic

We’ve all probably heard of global warming at one time or another, maybe on the news or in a magazine. But did we really think about its meaning? Did we contemplate its effect on the world? To start, we should know the definition of global warming. It sounds confusing, but it’s really not when explained correctly in simple terms.  In the Merriam Webster Dictionary, global warming is defined as, “the recent increase in the world’s temperature that is believed to be caused by the increase of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere.” What does this mean? Many greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are being released into the air. This is the effect of burning fossil fuels. This traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, instead of releasing it. So, why does this matter? Global warming is raising the Earth’s temperature, especially in the Arctic. This may not seem like a big deal…until we find out the negative effects.

Sun over the Chuchki Sea.

Up in the Arctic, polar bears are losing their habitat to the rising temperatures. Polar bears spend their days primarily in the sea and on ice. They need a platform of ice to hunt for their prey, seals. However, the ice is melting away. It’s getting more difficult for polar bears to get food for survival. During the summer, seasonal ice melts. When this happens, polar bears have the option of swimming to other patches of ice to hunt or simply starving until the fall, when the ice refreezes. Every year, the time period in which it takes for the ice to freeze again is growing. Polar bears cannot go without food forever. The other choice, swimming to other patches of ice for the summer, is becoming just as difficult. Less of the ice refreezes each year. The edges of the patches are steadily receding. Polar bears have to swim farther and farther to find frozen icecaps. Imagine swimming 400 miles without rest. Some do not make the long tiring journey. As a result, the polar bear population is rapidly decreasing.

Polar bears on an ice floe in Spitsbergen

As an animal lover, this is an important matter to me. Many different species are dying out due to various reasons. The population of many Arctic animals is lowering significantly due to the rising temperatures. Habitats are melting away, food supplies are diminishing. To fully understand the situation, think about it this way. Imagine that every day, a very small portion of your house is taken away. Not only that, a little bit of your food disappears each week also. At first, your living conditions would be cramped and uncomfortable. Eventually, your whole house and all of your food would be gone, leaving you homeless and starving. This is what is happening to polar bears in the Arctic. What can be done to help?

We must remember that the negative outreaches of global warming are not just limited to polar bears. This growing problem is spreading.  Organizations fighting to keep the issue under control include Sierra Club and 350.org. Many people are dedicated and passionate about helping preserve the earth and its inhabitants and natural resources. If you want to get involved, don’t hesitate to check out these websites. Help make a difference!

~Ruth

 

Pets: Cute and Healthy?

I think most of us can agree that pets are just about as cute as it gets. But did you know that they can actually give their human companions health benefits? Not only do they lift our moods, but animals can go as far as to protect their families from serious health threats.

Did you ever have a bad day? Felt a little down? Just been in a downright grumpy mood? Well according to studies, pets can do a lot to improve your state  in those instances. Just the fact that they always seem to be carefree and happy is enough to make most people’s spirits improve almost instantly. Besides that, no matter what you did that day, your pets will still treat you in the same open and loving way. Just this alone can do so much to help keep you positive and happy when you feel the whole world is against you. How does this all tie into benefits for pet owners? Attitude is aptitude they say! The more positive you feel, the more of a positive impact you will have in your relationships, work, and community. Pets can also help us to establish relationships, especially dogs. Many people love dogs, and would like to stop and pet them, which gives you something to talk about with their owner. It is also proven that people with pets are generally more open and trusting. As for sickness prevention, pets help to calm us down, which can do wonders for our health. Stress is a proven cause of some serious illnesses such as heart diseases and obesity. Petting an animal feels good, and can help to lower your blood pressure, as well us bring your stress down to reasonable level. Have a baby in the house? Animals can help with that too! Having a pet can actually help young children develop stronger immune systems, and are less likely to develop illnesses such as allergies or asthma. Go figure!

Personally, I think animals have a very positive impact on their families. Pets usually have a very calm and relaxed philosophy, and it is a wonderful thing that they can share that with their human families. I believe that they can truly help people in all the ways mentioned in this blog. I have always loved the effects my pets have on me, and now I know that there are many more amazing things animals can do for us, which I never imagined. I can personally relate to the idea of pets cheering up their human owners when they are feeling down. No matter what, your pets will treat you like nothing changed, or ever happened, and that can do so much to improve how you go through the rest of your day. I think that people should take advantage of these great qualities animals posses. There are so many animals that need homes, and nowadays it is fairly easy to adopt them. Remember, it will help you out in the long run. Next time you’re feeling down, think about a little furry friend!

~Lara

The Tabby Tiger who Prides Over your Home

It’s always the nicest thing ever to curl up in your bed and begin reading your favorite book. You turn the page and – MEOW! That furry, fluffy face pops over your book. The next thing you know, Puss has climbed over the book and settled onto your lap – against your will. But before you push the kitty off of you, the soft warm weight feels good, and soon your cute kitten is reading the book with you.

Cats are not as needy as dogs, and they aren’t as loud either. But the feline animal is as much a man’s best friend as a dog is. They’re just more respectful creatures. The cat lets its owner know who the boss is. In case you were wondering, the boss is the cat. If the cat needs attention, it does not go running joyfully into the owner’s arms. Instead, it simply walks up to you, making sure that you know that it is there with a meow, and leaps lightly into your lap. If it is pleased with the condition of your lap, the way it is being petted, or simply because it is happy to be with you, the cat will purr. As soon as it’s had its fair share of attention, the cat will jump down and attend to cat business, such as cleaning itself for the umpteenth time.

My cat Frisky is rather small, but she is made of plenty of spitfire. She will come to the people she trusts with love, and regards those unfamiliar to her with fear. Always neat and proper, Frisky stalks the house like an heiress. She and Mom are competing with each other for the position of queen of the household, and even though Mom is currently in the lead, Frisky comes pretty darn close. Frisky has so much spirit in the summer. She will go to the door every morning and plead to go out to play in the woods. Sometimes she comes in late at night after staying outside for most of the day. I love her unconditionally for her incredible power and care she gives to this house. She and I are pretty much best friends!

~Savannah Nowicki

For many years, the rate of abuse to animals and pets has been getting higher and higher. You may wonder why people who decide to own a pet treat them so badly? What possesses them to hit them, not feed them, and leave them out in the cold? It kills me inside to know that people can neglect them so much, when they don’t do anything to deserve it. It sounds really bad, but unfortunately there are many ways people abuse their pets. One example, is the disturbing and bloody sport of dog fighting. Animals such as Pitbulls, Boxers, Beagles, and even Chickens, are bought, put in a small arena, and are trained to fight one another to the death. You may recognize the 2007 case of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Forensic evidence which found carcasses and skeletal remains of numerous Pitbulls, helped convict the football star of operating a competitive dog fighting ring.

Websites such as the ASPCA or even your local humane society can give you information on how you can get involved in helping save these animals’ lives. They even give some good tips on how to care for your new dog or cat. Donate money, volunteer at shelters, or even adopt a pet. At Dodd, students can join the club Speaking for the Speechless which holds events to donate money to animals in need. Because animals are my passion and after losing my dog, Alice, that wasn’t even two years old yet, I hope that one day people in the world won’t treat their pets like prisoners, but like actual members of the family.

~Gabriella Amodei

Take Charge in Keeping Our Earth Clean

Over the past ten years mother earth has been getting fuller and fuller of unwanted garbage and not very much of our society has really tried to make significant differences. Recently we have had a BP oil spill that occurred in 2010! We all know it was fixed but if we don’t keep it under control it can happen again. People don’t realize it but all the trash we dispose and gas we use every day affects our beautiful creatures living at sea and on land. Humans are very self-centered and never consider the other creatures that deserve happy lives too. They are also very caught up in their jobs and never stop to think about donating their time to help out the environment. Sometimes people think they have so much to do that they become too lazy to find a trash can for their garbage! By taking one minute of your time to throw a wrapper in a trash can instead of the ocean can save a sea creatures’ life!

 

If everybody assumes others will take care of the world, it will turn out to be a pig sty! Why do people dirty a world they have to live in? It’s very sad how people are not making an effort to keep the environment clean because when the next generation gets older and runs the world they would have not been taught how to keep our earth from becoming polluted. If we cannot work together to make the change, we will suffer. I want the human race to understand that there are not specific people who go around cleaning the world, it’s you who has to clean it for yourself!

~Lauren Votto

How Much do You Love Your Pets???

Being a proud volunteer at the Meriden Humane Society, I’ve seen multiple cases of animal abuse. These animals are promised a loving home, and are deceived, and left hopeless at a door step. What type of person would do this? Unfortunately they are all over the world. Think about your pet, whether it be a dog, cat, or anything else.  Do you really love it? Seriously, this topic is no joking matter, for an animals well being is at stake. How would you feel if your parents, beat you, set you on fire, took your eye out, or just dumped you on the street? Not very good, and that I can say that without a response. Our pets have feelings too. We are their lives, they love us, and we need to show them just how compassionate we can be.

Simple things like feeding, watering, and petting your dog or cat, can make a difference in their self esteem. Don’t complain about their behavior, when yours isn’t much different. Let me tell you, I met this dog named Henry, who had a loving home, but his owners were wild, energetic, and athletic, so he was too. Taking after his owners, he went wild and scared their new born child. Unfortunately Henry was beat, lost vision in both his eyes, had gashes in both his sides, and was dumped at the nearest shelters door, with little chance of survival. What kind of monster does this? HUMANS!!!!!!! Sadly this isn’t the worst case of animal abuse. We are their closest friends and their mortal enemy at the same time.

Don’t worry, if you believe these thoughts ring true, you can help. Go on the Meriden Humane Society’s website and click on Volunteer. You will find an application, to volunteer there and be a companion to the animals. If you can’t do this for what ever reason, then just love any animal you do come across. They are our companions, and we’re theirs. If you really love these animals, try to take action.

~Patricia LaRusso