ANIMALS ARE NOT MERCHANDISE
~~ Buying Animals ~~
When animals become objects of commerce,
in other words, are bred to be sold and bought,
they begin and end up in environments
that are significantly different
from what their natural environments would be,
as well as significantly confining
and/or solitary.
We would not
breed, sell, and buy humans.
Likewise, just because an animal
is a species other than human,
it is no less serious a social injustice
to breed, buy and sell them.
The species of animals
most commonly relegated
to small areas of containment,
most commonly abducted from their own homes,
and most commenly ignored and neglected
once the initial purchase interest wears off, are
birds, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas,
guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters,
degus, hedgehogs, mice, rats,
many species of fishes,
frogs, lizards, turtles,
snakes, tarantulas, scorpions,
exotic or otherwise wild animals.
The same can also happen to
dogs, cats, horses
and the list goes on.
The flight of birds
is one of their most beautiful attributes.
And most birds travel in groups.
Yet, purchased birds too often live their lives
alone and confined to small cages.
Land and marine animals
can cover much distance
when they are free to live their own lives.
But when purchased as property,
they can spend years in small enclosures
with little to do besides eat and sleep,
with little room to move around in,
and with little or no companionship.
Even turtles travel long distances
when not confined to an aquarium.
It goes without saying
that exotic animals such as
leopards and other large cats,
chimpanzies and other primates,
snakes, lizards, spiders, scorpions, etc.
should never be purchased as "pets".
Too many are abandoned or suffer
neglect and other injustices
as merchandise, as property.
Please assist pet stores, breeders,
exotic animal brokers, etc.
not to sell animals
by not purchasing animals from them.
The sale of animals
encourages the practice
of bringing animals into the world,
or abducting them from their own world,
for the sole purpose of making money.
Much thanks to those who
rescue and adopt animals,
and provide wonderful, caring,
interactive and spacious
environments for them.
|
