In our last article, we have studied the cultural and social problems surrounding animal abuse. Today, we will enter deeply into this conversation and why it should be one of our priorities as a society to stop this oppression. Animal cruelty is the consequence of our actions as a collective, so the least we can do now is to fight against this mistreat.
At every minute, one animal suffers from abuse. It shocking that after years of evolution, animals are still subject to pain and suffering. Nowadays, we not only turn a blind eye to the matter, but we also have laws and legislation that allow animals to be in dangerous situations. How can it be accepted the raising of chickens in horrendous conditions for the purpose of nothing but to feed us?
Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty takes many forms. From raising animals in deplorable circumstances to testing our skin-care products in their skin, we have been abusing their lives for centuries now. No matter the form the abuse takes, the impact is always an animal traumatized, in fear and desperation. It needs to stop immediately. So with this article, our goal is to spread awareness.
Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that it is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.
Louis J. Camuti
Identifying and condemning animal abuse is not simple. Like we have mentioned, a country’s legislation plays a vast role in this fight, with the majority working in pro of the industries, not the animals. Therefore, many operations to liberate and save these animals from abusive conditions are non-profit ONGs going undercover into farms and factories. Not only that, but animal abuse can happen everywhere, at your neighbor’s house, at a vet close to your school, or in a laboratory in your city.
Throughout our lives, we have encountered a terrible amount of dogs and cats abandoned in the streets. The abuse of animals does not belong to a single category. It is happening right now. In fact, according to PETA, before you finish this article, ten animals are likely to be abused.
Also Read: Animal exploitation is a cultural and social problem
One of the biggest concerns surrounding animal protection is that much of their abuse occurs in private places, not seen by the public eye. And, like we already, our society is specialized in ignoring an issue they didn’t witness. But sadly, for the animals, it exists, and it is constant. It is a systemic problem that comes from the centuries of exploitation of animal products, skin, and life.
And this broken system is passed down from mother to son and from child to other children. The protection of our animals will only start if we are ready to report the cases of abuse against them. We can’t ask for animal control and members of law enforcement to investigate, prosecute, and rescue the animals if they don’t have a report on the abuse.
Around the globe, our eating habits play a consistent part in the abuse animals suffer. And the debate over whether we should or should not eat meat is not new. Studies have shown, over and over again, how the consumption of meat can lead to cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, and all cause-mortality cases. The loving and capable animals are seen by many as nothing but a piece of meat.
Throughout their lives, these animals are kept in cages, dreadful conditions, with no way out. Over the years, the reason behind our red meat consumption shifted. Because we no longer need to hunt animals to survive. Now, red meat is systematic, industrialized process that has nothing to do with our survival and everything to do with profit.
Most people consuming red meat, either don’t know how these animals are living, or prefer not to pay attention to it. Over the years, the meat industry became a master of dissociating the animal from the food. How many companies do you know currently selling red meat and using the image of happy cows in their branding?
To name all of them, we would be here for a long time. How many people you know consider themselves animal lovers but still eat red meat?
Our current food system primarily works on the production of red meat, which is the number one contributor to animal cruelty. Farming factories are, in fact, according to a recent article, is the principal cause of abuse and animal suffering. Not just that, the United Nations recently published that the industrial livestock sent to death each year equivalents to eight times our human population.
Social media in the last years have embraced and promoted the movement Meat Free Monday. This “challenge” consists of not eating red meat at least once a week – the more, the merrier. According to the Oxford University, cutting by 10% of your red meat consumption could prevent diseases and save money. Not only that, but you would also be saving up and freeing from the death-roll many animals.
The conversation around animal cruelty is about whether we are willing or not to change our eating, social, and cultural habits. To make the decision to stop eating red can be the first step. That is why our team is committed to providing you with the necessary information to make this choice. The mass consumption of not only red meat but all sorts of animal products is saturating our food system, is supporting world hunger, and is destroying our environment.
NoReadMeat is a project with the goal of addressing pressuring issues around animal consumption, more precisely with the red meat industry. We believe in teamwork, and as a collective, is it our civic duty to ensure the well-being of all living things. From politics to our plate, we are in charge of this game, so we need to start setting up the rules. In our other articles, you will find more information about animal cruelty, the environment, veganism, and food awareness.
These are challenging times we are living. So let’s take our time to reevaluate our morals and beliefs. Let’s ask ourselves how we are impacting the world today, and what can we do to make it better for us, and of course, for all our animals.
