Animal lovers should consider the suffering of their own kind too
IF a child and a puppy fell into a raging river and you could only save one, the choice would be insultingly simple.
Human life is infinitely more precious than that of an animal, even a beloved pet. And yet, every day we make choices that defy and negate this reality.
Currently there is a campaign under way to raise money to enlarge the dog kennels at the East London SPCA. This is an important and worthy cause, and I appreciate the passion it has ignited among East London animal lovers, who are going to great and very public lengths to raise money and elevate awareness.
Similarly, when the “ship of shame” cattle carrier makes its next scheduled stop in East London, outraged protesters will no doubt be taking to the streets with banners remonstrating against their transport. Again, I understand the passion animals’ plight, or perceived plight, manages to stir in people.
It is noble and admirable to love animals. But surely our first priority should always be our people.
Tonight, in East London and Port Elizabeth and every other town in-between, children are sleeping on the streets, cold and miserable. Elderly women are begging and defeated men are scrounging through trash cans to find something to eat.
In our suburbs and shanties babies are dying because in one of the richest countries in Africa we are somehow incapable, or unwilling, to take care of the neediest and the most vulnerable.
I am a passionate supporter of the SPCA myself. I donate into its collection boxes and I am a firm advocate of rescue animals over pet shop purchases.
But I am ashamed when I see how many people are being ignored and marginalised while so many of us so freely and extravagantly spend money on animals.
Whatever your belief system, whatever the values you espouse, nowhere can it ever be justified to care more about the welfare of animals than the wel- fare of people.
By all means speak your conscience when the animal carrier arrives – though it must be said that much of this protest is ill-informed and reactionary. And please continue to donate to help enlarge the kennels and to assist the SPCA in general.
Pamper and dote on your pets. But imagine the difference you could make if you adopted a personal rand-for-rand, people-foranimal donation policy.
How about donating the same amount you spend on dog and cat food every month to Meals on Wheels or any of the many won- derful organisations struggling to help people in your community? Or better yet, could you donate the same amount of time you devote to animals and pets to the many people in desperate need of assistance?
While the love and kindness we showered on animals will reflect kindly on us one day, our disregard for the dignity and humanity of people will be unjustifiable.