In Chapter 1, of Genesis, creation is described and ends with;
31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
In verse 28 He gave man dominion over all living things that move on the earth. Over time we have gotten away from taking good care of what He has provided us.
We have overfished, illegally killed (for skins or ivory), killing just for the sport it, in factory farming/mills, experimented on or abandoned them. All living things (wild and domesticated) were created with a purpose and should be cared for with respect to the Creator, God.
The following was copied from Animal Humane Society Website, The Five Freedoms for animals | Animal Humane Society. These freedoms can be applied to all living things that are in our care.
The Five Freedoms are internationally accepted standards of care that affirm every living being’s right to humane treatment. These standards were developed by Britain’s Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1965 and adapted by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians for companion animals in shelters.
The Five Freedoms ensure that we meet the mental and physical needs of animals in our care:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor. This must be specific to the animal. For example, puppies, adult dogs, pregnant cats, and senior cats all need different types of food provided on different schedules.
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. This means you should provide soft bedding and an area with appropriate temperature, noise levels, and access to natural light. If an animal is outside, it must have shelter from the elements as well as appropriate food and water bowls that will not freeze or tip over.
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. This includes vaccinating animals, monitoring animals, physical health, treating any injuries and providing appropriate medications.
- Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind. Animals need to be able to interact with — or avoid — others of their own kind as desired. They must be able to stretch every part of their body (from nose to tail), and run, jump, and play. This can be particularly challenging when animals are housed in individual kennels.
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. The mental health of an animal is just as important as its physical health — as psychological stress can quickly transition into physical illness. These conditions can be achieved by preventing overcrowding and providing sufficient enrichment and safe hiding spaces.
Embracing the Five Freedoms supports the health and welfare of the animals in our care and provides adopters with the best possible insight into their personalities. That ultimately leads to more animals successfully placed in loving homes.
Do you agree?