Sunday, July 20, 2008

A is for Animal Rights

I love animals. I have a 4 year old cat who we treat as our firstborn child. She was declawed and spayed at about 6 months old. I can't barely watch those animal rescue shows without tearing up over some of those mistreated animals. I also eat meat, well actually love meat. Am I a hypocrite...?
I think not. I don't believe that animals should be cruelly treated, but God also put humans in control and power over the animals he created on Earth (Genesis). Animals have been used as food since the beginning of mankind. I just think we need stricter laws and humane ways of raising and processing livestock for food. I don't believe in the negative ad campaigns that PETA and other animal rights group put on billboards, magazines and commercials. They are terrorizing kids into being scared to even drink a glass of milk and not caring who sees there disgusting mutilated animal billboards even if it's a two year old.
I also believe that PETA takes animal rights to the EXTREME!!! They not only not believe in animals for any sort of food, clothing, or research but they also oppose:
-zoo's
How are we to study and learn from animal behavior if we are to leave them alone in their natural habitats? And if it wasn't for zoo's some animal species would already be extinct.
-fishing
They believe catching and releasing is extremely painful to fish. That when released back into the water they could die from the shock of being caught... (sorry I can't even comment on this)
-declawing cats
Is extremely painful to cats when they wake up from surgery and the anesthesia wears off... Ok, isn't that also true for when humans have surgery. That is why we have pain medicine. PETA insists that if you have to have a pet you keep it indoors... Well we got my cat declawed for two reason, protecting our furniture and our kids from getting clawed.
-pet carriers
They believe it is selfish of humans to put animals into a pet carrier for any reason. They say it is not right for the animal to be forced to be locked up and not be able to stretch out or roam the house at will. I mean I would understand this if maybe you attempted to put a lab into a pet carrier just big enough for a Chihuahua, but the carriers I have seen have room for the animals to lay down, stretch out, and even walk around in some cases.
-having outdoor animals
Animals are forced to stay outside in the heat, bad weather, and in fences... Ok well this is kind of a contradiction on Peta's part. They don't believe we should have pets to begin with but if we do to not keep them as outdoor animals. Well if no one had pets then where do you think those wild animals would be??? Outside!!!!
-pets of any kind really
No pets of any kind... lol, ok. They say it is cruel for pets to only be allowed to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom when their owners allow them to. And they are traumatized when yelled at to get off the furniture they just jumped on. Don't humans go through their entire lives with someone else telling them when they can and can't do something... Moms, spouses, bosses, etc.
I think more awareness should be raised for better issues...
Poverty
Child abuse
Global Warming
Cancer research
I mean can a member of PETA truly say they have never killed a spider or roach in their house, swatted a fly with a flyswatter, or smacked a mosquito biting their arm? Maybe we should just ban flyswatters and bug traps...
Oh yeah and PETA also wants congress to pass a 10 cent tax for every pound of meat purchased... Like we don't have enough money and economy problems lets tax the people some more.

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