Animal Veterinarians

When life calls upon us to travel, whether it be a move away, a business trip, or a vacation, it is important to tie up all loose ends and to make sure that all of our loved ones are taken care of, especially the furry ones-our pets. If you plan on traveling with your pet, there are several steps that you must take to ensure a safe and comfortable trip. Here are five tips for pet shipping to help you accomplish this:

1. Your pet must be healthy.

A healthy pet will better withstand the stress of travel. Schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian and ask for a domestic health certificate that states your pet is fine to travel. If your pet is not healthy, certain travel conditions can affect your pet adversely.

2. Buy a Crate in the Appropriate Size for Pet Transport

Another very important tip to traveling with pets is making sure that you have the appropriately sized crate for pet transport. A top quality crate with enough room for your pet to move around in the crate is perfect. A sufficiently sized crate will ensure that your pet is not injured in the cargo compartment and that your pet is not turned away by the airline. If your pet is small enough to fit in a carrier that can be placed beneath your seat, this is your safest and most worry-free option.

3. Schedule your pet transportation in accordance with your schedule.

If you are moving and shipping your pet, please be sure that your pet transport arrangements fit perfectly within your schedule. Also, be sure to cover the crate using stickers, paint or permanent marker, with notes that say your dog’s name, your name, flight number, and contact information.

4. Be certain of your travel plans well in advance of the actual travel date.

When it comes to pet shipping and pet transport, a last minute rush can spell disaster for your pet. Plan to arrive at the airport at least a half hour earlier than usual. Check in, but don’t let them take your pet away until the last moment, usually thirty minutes before departure. Once you’ve checked in, take your pet outside for a walk to allow him or her to relieve themselves. Because you can never be cautious enough, be absolutely certain that the door of the kennel is extremely secure, but do not lock it. In the event of an emergency it may need to be opened. Just above the door, write, “Do not open this door without the permission of owner or a licensed veterinarian!” Also, never leave your pet before a baggage handler actually comes to collect him for pet transport.

5. Choose a reputable company to handle your pet shipping needs.

Whether you are planning a move or a trip that just includes your pet, a reliable pet transport company will see to it that you have the proper crate for pet shipping, provide a door-to-door service and handle boarding needs.

A family pet is usually as well loved as any human family members. Taking the time to plan your travel and pet shipping well in advance will make travel less stressful for both you and your beloved pet. Hiring a well-known pet transportation company to handle the travel arrangements for your pet will let you breathe easier, knowing that the arrangements from A-Z have been made by professionals who treat your pet with the same loving care as you do.



By: Rick Powell

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As any pet is cared for within the home, the care for horses is very much the same; ensuring the proper medical, physical, and nutritional care for a horse is part of the responsibility of its owners. There are many different facets of horse health and all must be attended to in order to ensure the horse’s vitality and longevity.

In order to be well-versed on horse health it is important to understand the signs of a healthy horse; conversely when those signs wane, you will immediately be alerted to a possible decline in the health of your horse. One quick indicator of horse health is the overall appearance of the animal. A healthy horse has a shiny, slick coat with a hard hoof. Any nutritional issues would immediately show up on the horse’s coat - resulting in dullness, slowed shedding, and even bald patches. Additionally, dry and cracked hoofs could be a sign of dehydration or poor circulation.

Of course, not much tells a greater story of horse health than the horse’s eating and drinking behaviors. The sudden and ongoing decrease in appetite or refusal to eat and drink altogether can be a common sign of a horse in dangerous health. Pay attention to the amount of grazing a horse does during the course of the day, its ability to hold food in its mouth and chew (problems with this could indicate teeth/mouth conditions) as well as the frequency with which it urinates and eliminates waste, and any weight fluctuations in the animal.

One of the most important indicators of horse health is behavior; like people, horses have their own personalities so what behavior may inspire concern when exhibited by one horse may be well within the boundaries of another horse’s personality. But there are a few common behaviors that generally signal distress across the board including the appearance of anxiety, lethargy or fatigue, decreased socialization, and stall weaving - a behavior signaling heightened anxiety wherein the horse paces around its stall. A healthy horse should also move unreservedly; any limping or bobbing of the head often indicates painful movement and a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

As a matter of fact, the most important step to preserving horse health is an established relationship with a reputable veterinarian. As a horse owner, you are the first line of defense in maintaining the health of your horse; you are in a better position than anyone to recognize signs and symptoms that may indicate trouble for your horse. A veterinarian, however, in addition to performing frequent check-ups, can help you identify and address any health concerns you have throughout the lifetime of the horse.

Owning a horse can be a wonderful experience; but also an enormous responsibility. Just as children depend on us to care for them in every capacity, a domesticated horse relies on its human companions in much the same way. In this role, it is incumbent upon us to understand the many facets of horse health and do all that we can to do to protect the lives and vitality of our animal friends.



By: Riley Hendersen

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Through the efforts of organizations and committed individuals, support is growing for the establishment of no kill animals shelters. An alternative to the traditional dog pound or animal shelter, no-kill animal shelters advocate adoption over euthanasia.

Every year, thousands of animals find themselves in the custody of local animal pounds. The primary function of these facilities has been to collect unwanted animals, hold them for a prescribed amount to time, and then euthanize the animal. Often, the method of euthanasia is less than humane.

In defense of some local shelters staff members work long and hard to find unwanted animals an adopted home. It is common for local shelters to work with the Human Society or other animal advocacy groups to reduce the numbers of unwanted animals. These efforts include low-cost or free-of-cost spay and neuter clinics. In many cases, local governments support these efforts with additional funding and staffing.

Sadly, even the most gallant efforts are not enough to stop the euthanasia of thousands of animals every year. The truth is that most local shelters lack sufficient funding to hold animals for a prolonged period of time. Shelter cost is minimal but the cost of food, supplies and veterinary care can quickly outstrip meager shelter budgets.

My own local county-run shelter has placed a tremendous effort on educating the public about the plight of unwanted dogs. Much of their effort has been toward finding suitable adopted homes for the dogs in their care, often holding dogs longer than the minimum time allowed by law. In contrast to past practices, the change in focus has born fruit with a sharp increase in the numbers of adoptions. Perspective owners must pay a fee that helps to defray some of the operational cost, including veterinary care.

Still, the shelter is forced to kill many more dogs than are adopted. The stark reality is that there are always more dogs than adopted homes. A casual drive through the county often results in many dogs on the loose, abandoned or otherwise without homes. Abandoned and lost dogs on the loose only compound the problem, assuming that most of these wandering souls have not been spayed or neutered.

The situation is worse for cats, since the only local, no-kill cat shelter closed due to lack of funding. Cats that otherwise might have been sheltered and cared for until adoption now roam the countryside doing what cats in the wild do best – make more cats.

The No-Kill Philosophy

One way to think of no-kill animal shelters is to think of sanctuary for lost and abandoned souls. Animals who might otherwise find themselves the victims of the elements, lack of food or highway traffic are given a place to stay. As the term implies, no-kill means exactly that. Animal guests are not put to death after a defined period of time. Those animals in need of medical attention received it. Many shelters will accept animals without question or judgment.

The idea behind most no-kill animal shelters is to keep and care for lost or abandoned animals until the owner arrives or the animal can be given a new adopted home. There are obvious challenges to this type of operation. Space and funding are the biggest hurdles and it takes a dedicated fundraising effort to support these unique shelters. As the numbers of animal guests grows, space can be a limitation, even if adequate funding can be generated.

Like many non-profit organizations, no-kill animal shelters rely on the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Community members, veterinarians and other animal lovers are a vital part of these animal shelters. Corporate sponsorship is often received in the form of food and medicines.

In virtually every state, there is a no-kill shelter available. While local shelters will care for animals until the day comes for euthanasia, no-kill animal shelters are a wonderful alternative.



By: Michael OBrien

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If you are a pet owner, it is time that you got to know a veterinarian. Why? Because, quite simply, a veterinarian is like a doctor for your pets. If you enjoy pets enough to own one or many, then you should take the time, energy and money to properly take care of those beloved pets.

Some pet owners believe that a visit to a veterinarian is only necessary when a pet is suffering or ill. And while you definitely want to visit a veterinarian when your pets become ill or start to show abnormal symptoms, you should also schedule routine appointments for your pets just like you schedule regular appointments for you and your family to visit a physician. There is no good reason not to give your pets the best care that you possibly can. Many simple problems and sicknesses can be prevented or solved easily by early detection, even in pets, so make it a priority to see your veterinarian regularly.

New pet owners should make appointments immediately to see a veterinarian and get a full health check for your new friend. Let your veterinarian teach you all about your new pet. Learn about the best ways to care for your pet, the best food to feed it, the best ways to bathe it, and the levels of activity that are necessary for keeping your pet healthy. You may be surprised how much there is to learn about each variety of different pets. Whether you have a dog, a cat, a bird or a horse, I guarentee you that a veterinarian will teach you helpful tips that you didn’t already know.

If you are currently a pet owner and have never taken the time to schedule and appointment for your pets, do so now. Talk to your other pet-owning friends to see what veterinarians are respected in your area. Flipping through your phonebook or doing a simple internet search can also help you explore options for finding the right veterinarian in your area. Some vets specialize in certain animals, so be sure that you schedule a visit with a veterinarian that has vast experience with your particular pets.

If you think that making appointments for your pets to see a veterinarian is silly, then I wonder whether or not you are suited to be a pet owner. You must consider your lifestyle and your ability to provide the right level of care for pets. Be honest with yourself and know that it is much better to give up a pet you already own than to keep that pet and not care for it properly.



By: Analeese Burnabaker

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The US population now exceeds 300 million. Over 150 million domestic cats and dogs share our homes. Not only do humans and their pets get the same diseases, they are now transmitting diseases to one another.

We are both on more medication then ever before- including multiple medications. Yet medications do not cure. Oddly, they treat the symptoms instead of the actual causes. Worse still, extended use of prescription medication advances GI disorders. That hardly seems scientific.

By the time you finish reading this article, you would be right to wonder why the majority of American doctors and veterinarians are still overlooking the importance of a healthy GI tract to restore health and prevent disease.

The good news is that most human and animal disease is reversible! The steps to make sure that you, and your pets, get healthy and stay healthy are a lot less costly than doctor visits and medications!

According to The Royal Society of Medicine of Great Britain, “Fully 90% of all disease is caused by an unhealthy digestive system”

The longer the bacterial balance in the GI tract is compromised, the greater the strain on the immune system, and therefore, the greater the risk of a simple GI disorder advancing to disease.

The intestinal wall is your lifeline. This is where blood picks up the nutrients and takes them to every organ in your or your pets body.

Nutritious foods break down easily, and move through the digestive tract in a timely manner. Junk foods, like commercial pet foods, do not. Lacking nutritional value, junk foods move too slowly through the GI tract; they become a breeding ground for viruses and pathogens.

Early warning signs of a compromised digestive system includes frequent loss of appetite, foul smelling gas, loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. These disorders are so common that people tend to ignore them- a choice that often has dire consequences. Why do people ignore these symptoms?

It is common knowledge that the treatment of choice for most doctors and veterinarians is antibiotics and steroids. This is a case where the so-called “remedy” needs a remedy!

Pathogens and viruses are immune to most antibiotics. Antibiotics are not selective; they kill all the bacteria. Yet, bacterial balance is the key to maintain (or restore) health. Probiotics are the opposite of antibiotics. Yogurt is probiotic that has long been marketed for its ability to restore “good bacteria” in the gut. If only.

Yogurt is cultured from commercial dairy cows. These cows are given antibiotics and growth hormones, along with highly questionable foods. Yet, people and pets that are “lacto-intolerant” do well on raw milk products.

Even if you (or your pet) are not lacto-intolerant, human stomach acids destroy most dairy-based probiotic strains. Dog and cat stomach acids are much stronger.

OK, so if not yogurt, what then?

Some 30 years ago, laboratory research scientists began investigating why animals eat dirt and grass. It was only when they examined “organic” soils and grasses that they got the answer. Unlike todays chemically treated soils and grasses, organic grass contains organic sulfur (MSM), while organic soil is teeming with soil-based organisms (SBOs).

Although SBOs are scientifically proven to resolve routine GI disorders in humans and pets, they are not, by themselves, a cure all. Chronic GI and Immune diseases have an intestinal inflammation component that must be addressed first. Natural anti-inflammatories resolve inflammation without side effects.

Here is a little known secret: No matter how much money you spend on better food and supplements, to improve you and your pets health, unless you also replenish your daily requirements for SBOs, your efforts will largely be in vain!



By: Stephen Becker

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Employment opportunities for veterinarians are expected to grow fast. Single adults have come to appreciate animal companionship. Pet owners may be willing to pay for more elective and intensive pet care than they have in the past.

In addition, new scientific methods of breeding and raising livestock, poultry, and fish as long as the continued support for public health and disease control programs will also contribute to the demand for veterinarians. Demand for specialists in many areas including toxicology, laboratory animal medicine, and pathology is expected to increase. Most of these jobs for specialists will be in metropolitan areas.

Veterinarians have an inquiring mind and good powers of observation. They generally have aptitude and interest in the biological sciences. Veterinarians also need an understanding of animals. Veterinarians should be able to meet, talk, and work well with a variety of people.

The primary reward for all veterinarians is the personal satisfaction in knowing that they are improving the quality of life for animals and people. Depending on the stage of a veterinarian’s career, the type of practice, and the veterinarian’s likes and dislikes, the pluses and minuses of a veterinary career may vary.

Veterinarians who are employed by government agencies, laboratories, colleges, and commercial firms often have responsibility for large health programs and may manage large numbers of people.

Veterinarians who work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and for state and municipal food inspection services protect the public from diseased livestock and unsafe meat and poultry. They ensure that food products are safe and wholesome. To prevent the introduction of foreign diseases, veterinarians employed by state and federal regulatory agencies quarantine and inspect animals brought into the United States from other countries.

Veterinarians in research seek better ways to prevent and solve animal and human health problems. Many problems, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, are studied through the use of laboratory animals, which are carefully bred, raised, and maintained under the supervision of veterinarians. Laboratory animal veterinarians help select the best animal models for particular research projects and ensure that the animals receive proper care.

In addition to developing ways to reduce or eliminate the threat of animal diseases, veterinarians involved in research have made many direct contributions to human health. Veterinarians were the first to isolate filterable viruses, slow viruses, the first tumor-causing virus and other pathogenic agents. They also helped conquer malaria and yellow fever, produced an anticoagulant used to treat some people with heart disease, and defined and developed surgical techniques for humans, such as hip-joint replacement and limb and organ transplants.

Veterinarians working in pharmaceutical and biomedical research firms develop, test, and supervise the production of drugs, chemicals, and biological products, such as antibiotics and vaccines for human and animal use. These veterinarians usually have specialized training in pharmacology, virology, bacteriology, pathology, parasitology, toxicology, nutrition, endocrinology, or laboratory animal medicine.

However, most veterinarians work in private clinical practice, which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Veterinarians in private clinical practice gain satisfaction from helping owners keep their animals well and from treating sick and injured animals. Private clinical practitioners who own their own practices determine the nature of their practice and set their working hours. Because they are self-employed, most private clinical practitioners choose to work beyond normal retirement age.

Veterinarians in private practice serve a variety of animals. This is especially true in companion animal practice because of the increased popularity of pet birds, small mammals (like hamsters and gerbils), and fish. Today, a veterinarian may be treating llamas, catfish, or ostriches as well as cats, dogs, horses, cows, hogs, sheep, and goats.

The chief risk for veterinarians is injury by animals; however, modern tranquilizers and technology have made it much easier for veterinarians to work on all types of animals.

Large animal practitioners tend to work more irregular hours than do those in small animal practice, industry, or government.

Students interested in a career in veterinary medicine need to take a strong science, math, and biology program in high school. To be considered for admission to a college of veterinary medicine, a student must complete undergraduate preveterinary medical coursework, which usually includes three to four years of college study, with specific course requirements. General requirements include basic language and communication skills, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, chemistry, and the biological and physical sciences.

Preveterinary coursework can be completed at many colleges and universities, including those at which the veterinary medical schools are located.Admission to veterinary school is highly competitive.

Applicants usually have grades of “B” or better, especially in the sciences. Applicants must take the Veterinary Aptitude Test, Medical College Admission Test, or the Graduate Record Examination. Most colleges give preference to candidates with animal or veterinary related experience.

In most veterinary colleges the professional program comprises two phases. In the first phase, preclinical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology are emphasized. Most of the students’ time is spent in classroom and laboratory study.

The second phase of professional study is principally clinical. Students learn the principles of medicine and surgery in the classroom and through hands-on clinical experience. Students learn to apply their knowledge in a clinical setting under the supervision of graduate veterinarians on the faculty. Students treat animals, perform surgery, and deal with owners who use the school’s clinical services.

In conclusion, students learn about many different animals and diseases, and become skilled in surgical techniques and many laboratory and diagnostic procedures.

After studies, veterinarians must acquire a license issued by the state they wont to work in. In research and teaching, a master’s or Ph.D. degree is usually required. Veterinarians who seek specialty board certification in one of the 20 specialty fields, such as ophthalmology, pathology, surgery, radiology, or laboratory animal medicine, must complete 2- to 5-year residency programs and must pass an examination.

Approximately half the states require veterinarians to attend continuing education courses to maintain their licenses. New scientific knowledge and techniques are constantly being developed, and veterinarians must keep up to date by reading scientific journals and attending professional meetings and seminars.



By: Josh Stone

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Usually, the word “revisionism” refers to attention-seeking right-wing politicians or historians who claim that the **** concentration camps consisted in leisure resorts for homeless people. I think it’s about time to give this concept a second birth by using it in another area, and that’s zoology.

Many scientists make a habit of breaking the neck of common-shared ideas about the animal world. One of their hobby-horses is to point at people who, in their opinion, clearly overreact to the unsupported threat caused by lovely animals such as sharks, snakes, tigers, bats, spiders, scorpions crocodiles and britons.

Based on the trustworthy opinion of these scientists, here is a short list of harmless animals you can definitely swim with or keep as a pet:

White sharks: they may look nasty, but they’re only attracted to areas with fish activity. Besides, they’re not agressive and just “inquisitive” (says Theo Ferreira, founder and director of the Great White Shark project). To be all right, just make sure you lack conversation and avoid areas where fishes live (which I think is called the sea, by the way)

Lions: “A lion can be dangerous because it induces fear in human beings. In the absence of human beings, lions are not dangerous” (Gordon Graham). So the matter is settled, then. Make sure you’re invisible or dress up as something else (a gazelle or a zebra, for instance) and they will leave you in peace.

Snakes: Always keep in mind that they are shy creatures and will not attack unless bothered. “Snakes don’t really want to do humans any harm. In most snakebite accidents, it was the human that provoked the snake into biting.” (www.scienceray.com) It’s true that in most cases, the guy who was bitten forgot to introduce himself properly or didn’t ring the doorbell.

Bats: “It’s true that they can transmit rabies. But simple rules of caution such as avoiding bats with a strange behaviour will minimize the risk.” (Dr Laetitia Barlerin, veterinarian) Fair enough, but can someone tell me what is a bat’s normal behaviour?

Britons: “People should remember that half of all violent crime is fuelled by alcohol.” says Shadow UK Home Secretary David Davis. But then he adds: “More than 8 million Britons are problem drinkers” So is it safe to keep a briton as a pet? Of yourse it is. I’ve got one in my closet. The only thing to remember is you must not keep a beer and a briton in the same cage.



By: anonymous

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This two-year Associate’s Degree program is ideally suited to anyone who is interested in helping animals and wants a steady, reliable job without the long years and heavy investment needed to become a veterinarian. If you love working with animals and are looking for a fast track to a career working with them, consider becoming a veterinary technologist.

The duties of a veterinary technologist are very similar to those of a nurse or physician’s assistant for a medical doctor. If you work as a veterinary technologist in a veterinarian’s office or animal clinic, you will spend part of your time doing crucial paperwork and part of your time working directly with pets of all shapes and sizes. A typical day might include filling out charts and documents, scheduling appointments and updating patient records. Or, you may help in collecting specimens, blood draws and skin scrapings for lab tests. You may even assist in preparing animals, lab equipment and instruments for surgery and other procedures. Other tasks include grooming animals and assisting with routine procedures such as vaccinations, taking x-rays and performing lab tests.

Because there are so many different responsibilities, a veterinary technologist needs to be able to juggle many different tasks and delegate responsibilities effectively. Decision making skills are very important, as is attention to detail. Medical charts must be accurate and readable to avoid the possibility of errors in treatment. A love of animals is, of course, essential to anyone pursuing a degree in veterinary technology. You will spend most of your time around animals and should have a soothing personality for pets in distress, as well as their owners.

There are many career options available for anyone with a veterinary technology Associate’s Degree. While the majority of graduates will work in a veterinarian’s office or animal clinic, there are also many opportunities in other areas. If you are interested in medical research or the sciences, there are many research facilities that rely on veterinary technologists to take care of animals in their biomedical research facilities. In this capacity, you would oversee all work with animals to make sure humane care is provided and track all research protocols for the supervising scientists.

You can combine a love for the outdoors or wildlife with your career by working at a zoo or wildlife park. Many veterinary technologists work behind the scenes at zoos doing everything from preparing special diets for animals to taking care of newborn animals. Larger cities with professionally staffed Humane Societies or SPCA’s often recruit vet techs with Associate’s Degrees to assist in caring for the many abused or abandoned animals that come to them. This is a particularly rewarding but taxing job that involves a great deal of healthcare work.

Many people don’t realize that pet food and pet supply companies also need veterinary technologists for their Research and Development divisions. These companies are always looking for ways to improve the quality and appeal of products like dog treats, cat food and pet toys. They need staff members who can work with their products and their “testing panel” of animals to determine what is most attractive and also healthiest for their target customers.

A career as a veterinary technologist requires a two year Associate’s Degree, which you should seek from a technical school that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The program will consist of basic courses in math and business as well as more intensive courses in areas such as zoology, anesthesiology, pharmacology, animal nursing, surgical principles, comparative anatomy, public health and more. You will also be required to serve an externship during which you’ll put what you’ve learned into practice under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

If veterinary technology sounds like an exciting career for you, check into various health and business schools in your area. Many of these will offer a vet tech program. Also contact animal hospitals, clinics and veterinarians who can suggest good vet tech programs in your area.



By: Andy West

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Animal cruelty is a very real crime.  Every year, there are several animals that are maltreated.  Whether they are household pets like cats and dogs, or wild animals like bears and elephants, these animals are not safe from animal cruelty.  However, only a few concerned citizens are aware of this crime.  If you want to show your support for preventing animal cruelty, here are some easy steps that you can follow.

Set an Example

Start the change within yourself.  If you own an animal, set an example for others by always providing your pet with the proper love and care that it deserves.  Always provide fresh water, food and shelter.  Be responsible and have your pets neutered or spayed.  When your pet is sick or is in need of medical treatment, send him to a veterinarian.  It is important that you do not neglect or abuse your pets.  Shower it with a dose of tender, loving care.

Encourage Others To Join You

Have others back you up.  Otherwise, no one will take you seriously.  There are several ways to gain supporters.  You can either host rallies or write a petition.  You can also campaign online and gather signatures for a petition through the Internet.  You can also do it personally, by asking people you meet at a park or rally or in school to sign your petition.  All you have to do is print out pages of numbered lines with a heading “Stop Animal Cruelty”, and have people sign it.

Be Against Animal Testing

Animal testing is a form of animal cruelty.  Do not buy products that are conducted and tested on animals.  Buy or make buttons that clearly state your opposition against animal testing and hand them out to others.

Support Organizations Against Animal Cruelty

There are very many organizations against animal cruelty.  These organizations are committed to stopping animal abuse and neglect.  Also, they rescue and treat animals that are formerly victims of animal cruelty.  You can show your support by being part of these organizations and giving donations that will help in treating thousands of abused animals.

Inform Others

There are many people who are unaware of animal abuse and neglect.  Every day, this crime happens and there are any people that are unaware that this is actually taking place.  It is very important for you to spread the word.  You can do this by handing out pamphlets informing people of what’s really happening and what they can do to stop it.

Report a Crime

Your involvement is very important.  If you see an animal being abused or neglected, do something about it.  Report to your local humane society, animal shelter, or animal control agency right away.  Know who to call when reporting animal cruelty.  Take note of important details, such as the type of animal cruelty, persons involved, the date it happened, and where it took place.  These will really be of big help to the investigating officer.



By: Rashel Dan

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Animal cruelty is common everywhere, even in places where it’s prohibited.  Although there may be laws on animal cruelty, its not highly implemented. Thus every year, there are several animals, including pets like cats and dogs, and wild animals, that are maltreated.

Animal cruelty can come in various forms.  You could have observed someone physically hurting an animal.  Animal cruelty can also be in the form of malnutrition when animal owners don’t feed their pets properly.  Generally, what causes injury and suffering to an animal can be considered animal cruelty.

One way of fighting animal abuse is to report it as soon as it is spotted.  Here are some things you can do to prevent animal cruelty.

Be Aware

Keep your eyes and ears open.  Your local humane society or animal shelter wouldn’t know several instances of animal abuse without those concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhood through phone calls.  So, do your part and be on the look out for animals in your own neighborhood.   This could be a possible indicator of neglect or abuse.

Learn to Distinguish Animal Cruelty

Signs and Symptoms - There are signs and symptoms observed in most abused animals.  Watch out for wounds on the body, patches of missing hair, extremely thin and starving animals, limping and tick or flea infestations.  An owner who is physically abusing an animal is abusive.  Dogs left chained in the yard and without access to food and water is a neglectful act.  Animals hit by a car and not taken to a veterinarian is also a neglectful act.  These are all forms of animal cruelty.

Report Animal Cruelty

Know who to call when reporting animal cruelty.  There are some states that have Humane Law Enforcement officers who can investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty.  In some towns, you may have to call the police department or local animal control.  Know who to call.  Also, when reporting an incident, make sure that you provide as much information possible.  The details will mean a lot to the investigating officer.  Try writing down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident, and where it happened.

Do Some Proactive Steps to Fight Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is a crime.  Write or call your local law enforcement departments and tell them that investigating animal cruelty should be a main concern.  Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state or local levels.  Have signature petitions. Write letters to legislators.  Stronger laws mean tougher penalties, and punishment for animal cruelty should be harsher! Support your local animal rescue organization or local shelter.  Volunteer at animal shelters and rescue groups in your area.

Lastly, set a good example for others.  You can prevent animal cruelty and it starts within you.  If you are a pet owner, make sure that you always show your pets the love and care that they ought to have.  Always provide food, fresh water, shelter and medical treatment if your pet is sick.  Have your animals spayed or neutered.  Be a responsible pet owner.  And to top it off, a lot of hugs and kisses won’t hurt!



By: Rashel Dan

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