The idea for this document, came about after moving to the shire. I discovered that many trucks packed with farm animals, pass by daily on their way to the abattoir. Glimpsing these innocent, defenceless and uncomprehending creatures side-by-side through the open spaces, knowing what they are about to face, sends a shiver down my spine. A part of me just dies.
My gut reaction is to run and free them all, but even if that were possible, they would soon be replaced by another batch. Many people might consider that is the inevitable conclusion to their life, they had a nice existence beforehand, without the hardships that wild animals endure, and if that was true, it would certainly make it easier.
I had a growing conviction to transform my sadness into something positive, which would make a difference to animal’s lives, and wrestled for months wondering what I could do. When browsing the internet for ideas, it became apparent that animals all over the world are caught up in a vicious cycle of abuse. They are neglected, starved, beaten and tortured every minute of every day.
Then I stumbled across factory farming and was absolutely appalled at the institutionalised cruelty involving billions of animals. Once you discover what goes on behind closed doors, it’s pretty hard to forget. Since then, I have been haunted daily by images and crippled by thoughts of them, being afflicted, abandoned and forgotten about. A staggering amount of it isn’t even realised. There’s a wealth of information on the internet, including hundreds of YouTube videos. I would recommend, doing your own research.
Somehow, somewhere along the way, it seems that we have lost our humanity. Surely a thoughtful caring society would never allow this. We all know the natural world is vicious and predatory, with animals ending up as meals for other animals, but what makes the existence of farm animals so cruel, is not only the way they die, but the way they live. Factory farming is a complete denial of an animal as a living being, with his or her own needs and nature. The size, scale and complexity is overwhelming.
Initially, all I could do was cry. It is extremely painful to research. I couldn’t bring myself to read some of the graphic details, and found it difficult to maintain perspective. Now I only look at what I think I’m strong enough to handle. These animals are suffering in silence and desperately need our help. I remind myself that this is God’s battle, but without the hope He brings, I would feel totally powerless. It’s an extremely depressing experience. I commend the efforts being made by welfare groups, which are inspiring and encouraging.
In the past, people believed animals didn’t have feelings or intelligence, that they weren’t important and existed simply for people to use for food, clothing, transport, labour and entertainment. But Society has advanced, and animal behaviour has been well documented during the past few decades. They are sentient beings who exhibit behaviours just like us, cooperation, competition, pair-bonding, territoriality, defence of their young, group loyalty and grief at the loss of loved ones. They can experience a wide range of sensations and emotions such as fear, pain, hunger, boredom, frustration, loneliness, depression, anxiety, sadness, jealousy, joy and pleasure.
In fact in August, 2012, an international group of prominent scientists signed the Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness. They found that animals very much aware of their surroundings and who make their own decisions, are all mammals and birds as well as cephalopods such as octopuses. That they are conscious beings, capable of forming abstract thoughts, understanding cause and effect, exhibiting long term memory and critically are capable of feeling anxiety, pain and fear just as humans do.
Research psychologist, Dr Theodore Barber wrote in his book, The Human Nature of Birds (1993) that “birds are intelligent beings, capable of flexible thought, judgement, and the ability to express opinions, desires, and choices just as humans do…that they can make and use tools; work with abstract concepts: exhibit grief, joy, compassion and altruism; create musical compositions and perform intricate mathematical calculations on navigation.”
Every creature contributes something to the maintenance of the planet and enriches our lives beyond measure. I appreciate their beauty, diversity, dignity and the bond of mortality we share with them. They have their own desires and interests, likes and, dislikes. Many pets are being kept alone, regardless of their social needs but we are now more aware of the importance of social structure. Sweden bans keeping single pets. Rabbits and gerbils for example, function much better with company, otherwise they can become depressed.
Christians Caring For Gods Creatures 