Pet lovers, be kind to people too
If you are passionate about caring for animals, remember also to be kind to humans,
ONE of the most beautiful things about the companion animals with whom we share our lives is their ability to bring out the best in us. Their unadulterated joy brightens our days, their zest for life renews our spirits, their unconditional love soothes our souls and their vulnerability inspires our kindness.
It’s no wonder that twothirds of us share our homes with pets. All things considered, it’s hard to imagine what our world would be like without them. And everybody deserves the opportunity to add that kind of joy and companionship to their lives.
Which makes me wonder why so many animal lovers continue to say the one thing that flies in the face of that.
There is one comment that we hear often and regularly see posted on our social media pages that makes me visibly cringe: “If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have one.”
Somewhere along the way, it seems part of the kindness that drives us to help pets has been lost in some people — to the point of not extending that same kindness to humans. And it’s time to make a course correction. Not doing so is hurting people and, quite frankly, harming the pets we love — and that many people are working so hard to protect.
The Covid-19 pandemic has magnified flaws in the complex systemic issues we face every day.
It has exposed vulnerabilities in the areas of employment, food security, healthcare, education and transportation.
So many of the things many of us have always taken for granted are bending and cracking under the weight of something beyond our personal control.
For those who were already struggling and
THERE IS ONE COMMENT THAT WE HEAR OFTEN THAT MAKES ME CRINGE: “IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD A PET, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE ONE”
already pressed by challenges and inequity, it’s even worse.
There is no doubt that there are tough times ahead.
Expectations around the magnitude of the looming housing crisis are grim, as many people face increasing mortgage payment stress and rental housing shortages.
And these pressures impact on pets as well as people.
Caring about animals means caring about people, and vice versa.
If we’re going to survive this global pandemic and eventually return to whatever the new normal looks like, we have to do it together.
Greater collaboration between human services and animal services should be paramount.
This will enable everyone to pool their compassion, ingenuity and grit to help protect and support people and pets. We need everyone on board for that.
We need fewer unhelpful comments on Facebook and more thoughtful voices with solutions.
We need less judgment and more of the kindness and generosity that animal lovers are known for.
As popular as apocalyptic dramas like The Walking Dead are, no-one wants to see this become a reality show.
We’re all in this together.