Animal Awareness / Neglect

Neglect

This section starts out with words of wisdom for a reason: neglect is not easily defined because it can take different forms from blatant cruelty to subtle unintentional indifference. Or can even be ignoring someone else's cruel acts. Once we are aware of abuse to any living being, it is our moral duty to speak up, even if it's done anonymously.

The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity.
-- George Bernard Shaw

"My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt."
-- Anna Sewell

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-- Gandhi

"The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one who never deserts him, the one who never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is the dog."
-- Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia

"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages."
-- Thomas Edison

Physical Neglect: Not Always Easy to Spot

Unfortunately, even the most obvious neglect can be hard to see at times. It happens in back yards and in basements. Too often anger is taken out on defenseless animals. Fur hides their bruises, but behavioral signs such as cowering are a sign that something may be wrong. Other forms of neglect are when an animal is not given regular food and water or when he is chained outside often, especially in extreme weather.

Neighbors may notice something seems wrong but they are afraid to get involved. If there is any doubt, speak up. An anonymous polite letter left in the mailbox may be a good first step. Just let them know that concerned neighbors are watching and that you hope that they correct the situation so that you don't have to go to the authorities. That is a good way of letting them know that you are willing to take more action if needed, yet still give them the opportunity to correct the matter on their own. You can always make an anonymous call to your local animal control, humane society, or animal advocacy group such as HSUS or PETA. You may be the only hope for a suffering animal. If you don't speak up, who will?

Neighbors who keep quite sometimes justify their actions by the fact that they are not familiar with the breed of animal. They feel that maybe that particular breed can take the conditions and that the animal's guardian must know what they are doing. While it is true that some breeds can be better adapted in some elements, no animal should be chained for long periods of time, be outdoors in extreme weather, or go without regular food and water.

Emotional Neglect: Silent Suffering

There are many subtle forms of neglect beyond physical cruelty. In addition to providing food and shelter, we should bring animal companions into our lives for the mutual benefits of companionship and bonding. Therefore, if the only time that you acknowledge your animal companion is to give him food, then you may be acting in a subtle neglectful way.

Just as with our human companions, animals enjoy interacting with us. While it's true that they cannot speak our language and tell us specifically that they enjoy it, their actions speak louder than words. Especially if they do not get as much interaction as they would like. If you have an animal companion that is distant or standoffish, consider why that might be. Are you gone all day and then busy with your human family when you get home? Do you say HI or pet your animal companion a lot when you walk by him? Do you spend much more time with other companion animals in the house? Animals experience many emotions such as jealousy, loneliness, boredom, and resentment.

The feelings of animals should be taken just as seriously as they should be with humans.

If someone notices that they have been neglectful, it doesn't mean that they're a bad person. But once aware of it, if steps aren't taken to correct the situation, the distance and coldness may suggest emotional problems for which the person needs to seek counseling.

The causes of neglect can be deep within us causing us to not notice that we are committing neglectful acts until something happens to make us pause and evaluate ourselves and our actions. If our parents treated their animals in the same manner, then we may never question it. As with all aspects of life, we must put thought into the consequences of our actions. As Socrates reminds us, "An unexamined life isn't worth living."

Companion animals are a lifelong commitment just as children are. Animals should not be thought of as a disposable ornament or household accessory. Just as we wouldn't give away our children on a whim, neither should we give away our animals unless faced with a serious life crisis that would affect the animal's quality of life.