A day for putting pets first
National Pet Day enthused animal lovers in our community, with many quick to share photographs of their lovable pets.
We’re grateful for your fantastic response. It’s a fun thing to do and brings a smile to the face, but the day itself has bigger aims.
Founded in 2006 by animal campaigner Colleen Paige, she has outlined her National Pet Day hopes in a 10 point plan. The cynics, however, will raise an eyebrow at her opening quotes on the subject of animals.
She said: “Many people believe that humans are superior to animals, but is that really true?”
Well, in truth, humans are superior to animals by most measures. Colleen disagrees.
She continues: “We’re not able to come close to possessing the pure and perfect unconditional love that animals offer.”
It’s a point with which animal lovers will empathise. For many people, their pets are not just four legged companions, but are considered members of the family. But for a nation of animal lovers, we have an unenviable record when it comes to cruelty. The North East regularly tops the RSPCA’s animal cruelty league and our shelters are groaning at the seams with unwanted pets.
And that is the key concern of National Pet Day.
As Colleen points out in her pay off line. She says that if we shared the same unconditional love that animals possess then “we’d have no need for this day... because all the shelters would be empty”.
Colleen’s love for animals is all-consuming, and for some, over the top, but she makes a valid point.
If anyone is thinking of getting a pet for their family, they should consider a visit to a shelter first. They really would appreciate the support.