I am not a pet parent or a guardian: I OWN my dogs. While this may
make many readers cringe, the terms ‘pet parent’ and ‘pet guardian’
really make me squirm. As a pet owner, I don’t feel that I’m entitled
to push my dogs around, treat them like slaves or tie them to the bumper
of my car. In fact, my dogs all live in my house, are allowed on any
piece of furniture except my red fabric couches (what was I thinking?),
they have their very own kitchen, their own bedroom with a real hand
carved daybed to sleep on, with lovely, clean sheets that get laundered
twice a week. They drink spring water, they have three freezers full of
fresh food taking up much of my garage (much to my husband’s chagrin), I
never think to go out for a ride without them (unless the weather is
too hot), and I refer to myself as ‘mommie’ when I talk to them (which I
do a lot). So why don’t I call myself a pet parent?
On the surface, it might appear to be a nice gesture to claim that I
don’t own my dogs, but the fallout from that seemingly innocuous gesture
could be very dangerous for our pets. That subtle slip in language
opens the door to Animal Rights activists.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Animal welfare is the ethical responsibility of ensuring animal well-being. Animal well-being is the condition in which animals experience good health, are able to effectively cope with their environment, and are able to express a diversity of species-typical behaviors. Protecting an animal’s welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs.” Animal Welfare supporters believe in our right to own, use and enjoy animals, but insist on humane standards and treatment for all animals, including proper housing, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment and humane handling.
Animal Rights advocates such as PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals), and HSUS (Humane Society Of The United States), want to end human “exploitation” of animals. Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and President of PETA, defines their vision: “[A]s the surplus of cats and dogs (artificially engineered by centuries of forced breeding) declined, eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship—enjoyment at ‘a distance.’” The goal of Animal Rights activists is to put an end to companion animals – and ironically, pet parents are helping them accomplish just that. Continue reading at link
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Animal welfare is the ethical responsibility of ensuring animal well-being. Animal well-being is the condition in which animals experience good health, are able to effectively cope with their environment, and are able to express a diversity of species-typical behaviors. Protecting an animal’s welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs.” Animal Welfare supporters believe in our right to own, use and enjoy animals, but insist on humane standards and treatment for all animals, including proper housing, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment and humane handling.
Animal Rights advocates such as PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals), and HSUS (Humane Society Of The United States), want to end human “exploitation” of animals. Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and President of PETA, defines their vision: “[A]s the surplus of cats and dogs (artificially engineered by centuries of forced breeding) declined, eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship—enjoyment at ‘a distance.’” The goal of Animal Rights activists is to put an end to companion animals – and ironically, pet parents are helping them accomplish just that. Continue reading at link
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