Dear Joe and ecofem, The relationship between domesticated pets (especially cats and dogs) and humans can be very, very beautiful. I have two cats myself, and they are real lovers (cats are the only species, by the way, that domesticated themselves). The problem to me is not in living with pets (we don't ever really own them, no matter what we think), but in the fact that so many animals suffer cruelly things they would not suffer without the human race. Yes, they would be eaten and eat each other, but only we can break their hearts. I've seen in in the animal shelters, as have we all, and in the unbearable betrayal they are so often dealt. My rule for myself about pets is this: if you "adopt" them, you care for them their whole life. Period. Blessings, Jane >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Nov 21 00:25:38 1998 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 02:24:59 EST To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Compassion to the animals! Dear folks, I speak here from experience--"shelters" can be changed. Most of the shelters around where I live in California have become "no kill" shelters, but for that to happen, it has taken dedicated people (i'm not really one of them, I'm singing their praises), who took over the boards of local SPCA's, became foster parents to all animals soon to be euthanized, no matter their "unadoptability," enlisted local vets to provide some pro bono or cheap help, started thrift stores to fund their foster programs, not to mention all the rest that goes with it, etc. etc. etc. I also should say, stopping the cruelty of animal testing is absolutely a paramount thing here. I mean even medical testing, not just cosmetic. My friend "stole" a cat from the UC Davis hospital who had, since birth, been part of some graduate student's diabetes experiement which tested whether inserting the insulin needle in the same spot over years created any tissue damage. How much of a no-brainer is that? This poor baby, who was 2 years old, had multiple (seemingly unhealable) lesions where the needles had gone in, but she healed them in about six months of some incredible care, including special salves from a person who makes holistic healing products. a loving animal who had spent his life in prison. Our whole system is cruel, not just to cats and dogs. We take away predator's territory then shoot them because they harm humans. WE don't need that ecosystem to survive, but they do. Where is the justice? Sorry, ranting. Jane >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Nov 21 00:25:59 1998 Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 15:31:37 +0800 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: bunny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Compassion for animals Hi Michael, The "biodiversity of domesticated animals" is a little bit of a smokescreen because people will think of "breeds" rather than "species". Humans have deliberately "designer bred" pets for financial gain and they go to extremes of cutting off tails and ears to "satisfy breed standards". Then we have the sadists in China who have shaved off the fur of small dogs and draws "spots" on them with toxic dyes that eventually kills the dogs in order to sell a "cute pet". Dogs existed in the wild in some forms - wolves, coyotes, dingos etc. Humans domesticated dogs and cats a long time ago and so it goes. And as for cattle? same thing again - designer breeding of different animals of the same species in many instances. We do exploit animals in the most bizzare ways don't we? As for plants, I don't have a problem with plants. Their are weeds and long grass in my garden. I don't spray and I don't feed artificial things to plants (perhaps some bunny manure occassionally) and I am not "speciest" when it comes to plants (I don't say "rip out all the Jacaranda trees because they are not native to my country".) After all, white settlers are foreign to my country (including myself). Marguerite >Michael wrote: >Marguerite, >The latest issue of Seed Savers Exchange's _Harvest Edition_ has >a brief article on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, >which aims to protect the diversity of domesticated animals. >(http://albc-usa.org/) How do you feel about that goal? >I'm also wondering if you feel that there are ethical problems with >the domestication of plants. >Thanks, >Michael >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >CSF's mechanic :} :}Pets are also a money business - for breeders, vets, pet food companies and :}others. The lucky "pets" end up in good homes, the unlucky ones (and I would :}say that the unlucky "pets" outweigh the lucky "pets"), end up mis-treated, :}under-fed, abandoned (eventually) or sent for euthanasia (murder in my view) .. :}"Pet" animals are really animals that are exploited by humans who wish to "o wn" :}an animal for whatever reason. The "pets" have to fit in with the owners or :}else they die. :} :}Marguerite :} =========================================================================== /`\ /`\ RABBIT INFORMATION SERVICE: _ _ (/\ \-/ /\) P.O.Box 30, Riverton, Western Australia 6148 (.\_/.) )6 6( http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm \6 6/ >{= Y =}< VEGETARIAN PAGE =\ /= /'-^-'\ http://www.geocities/RainForest/4620 /O\ / (_) (_) / \ ( | . | U U ) | |} Pity the human race its illusion of permanence (| |)/ \_/^\_/ w'-'w ===========================================================================
