Animal Welfare Touches the UN
posted by: alicia graef 30 days ago
Animals undeniably touch the lives of people around the world. Billions of animals are used for sports, entertainment, therapy, protection, food, clothing and to some they mean a livelihood. To others they are merely possessions, and to the rest of us they are our fur babies and cherished members of the family. We love them and yet exploit them and there is currently no universal recognition of the rights and welfare standards they deserve.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals is working to urge the United Nations’ General Assembly to adopt international policies on animal welfare with their Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare (UDAW) campaign.
"Animal welfare is not some unaffordable luxury. It's an essential part of solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing us today,” said Mike Baker, WSPA’s director general.
The UDAW campaign intends to bring the significance of animals, animal welfare issues and the need for sustainable development at a global level to the attention of individuals and governments around the world.
A UDAW would mean that nations would agree that animals are sentient beings that can suffer, that they have basic welfare needs that need to be met, and that steps need to be taken to put a permanent end to animal cruelty.
At local and national levels a UDAW would also:
- Encourage governments to improve their national animal welfare legislation.
- Provide a basis for animal welfare legislation in countries where it does not currently exist.
- Encourage those industries which use animals to keep welfare at the forefront of their policies.
- Mobilize and unite the animal welfare movement behind a common goal.
- Provide a useful framework to link humanitarian development and animal welfare agendas.
- Inspire positive change in public attitudes towards animal welfare.
A UDAW would include both companion animals and livestock, in addition to making inclusions for animals in emergency relief plans. Improving animal welfare and management plans can also benefit the environment through responsible land use, improving conservation efforts and protecting biodiversity.
Some governments have already stepped up to support this effort, including New Zealand, Cambodia, Palau, the Seychelles, Fiji, Switzerland and 27 EU member states, but the UN’s support is critical to moving these efforts forward.
Read more: animal welfare, WSPA, animal rights, united nations
comments
please, please, get back in touch with our animals--like us they struggle to survive. Why can we not relate?
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do anyone realize how lil animals would have to worry about if it wasn't for humans?.so i think we should care more than we do and show it!!
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The more people learn about the beauty of animals, the better the world will be. Animals are the true angels in my opinion. We are so blessed to have them. Are we not warmed and humbled when an animal shows us kindness?
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Oui , il faut absolument Que les Nations Unies Prennent conscience de l'ampleur quant à la cruauté envers les animaux qui se passe dans le monde Et qu'une loi universelle soit adoptée au plus vite pour la protection des animaux. Si cette demande pouvait être entendue par les autorités. Je suis sûre que l'humanité changerait.
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KUDO's to you Athena B. and I applaud and add my own name to your wonderfully compassionte plea for ALL animals of this beautiful planet Earth; our home.
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Kudos to Chris B and Michael M. Oh, and Buddhists are indeed extremely compassionate towards animals (this one is). I just hope something can be done about wolf killing, dog fighting, tiger farms, lion poisoning, puppy/kitten mills and dozens of other travesties. Yes, indeed, animals have souls. All you have to do is look one in the eyes and it's so obvious. A thousand blessings on those who help all creatures.
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My animals are my tranquilizer.
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Juliet D Your first four words were more than adequate" Religion complicates and distorts" period! Discrimination is apparently an integral part of most religion which thrives on the Ours is not only better then yours syndrome but dismisses the others as of no consequence in their internalised "God" given self importance! However most religions also have their good points and also their extremist nutters and I also beleive the good points should not be thrown out with the bath water like the proverbial baby of old! The concern for animals shown by Mohammad when he cut the sleeve of his robe rather than disturb his cat who was sleeping on it when he was on his way to pray or the telling words of Jesus when he spoke of his Fathers concern for every sparrow that fell. Personally I take that to mean animals have the same souls as humans and any who disagree with that are exhibiting the same superior being arrogance that religion usully reserve for non beleivers of their particular sect, faith, or religious persuasion! It is not so long ago in the supposedly Christian country of the UK that woman were forced to chain themselves to railings etc to get the vote! In the US Black people where subjected to South African style aparthied and in SA the same. Some would return to those times but the same people who would take us backward are the very same people who choose to vent their frustration at not being able to treat women and black people as chattels, on animals. It must STOP!!
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Just as humans are important world wide so should all animals large or small no questions asked that is an absolute NO BRAINER!!!
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I tend to agree with Julie in that religion, if allowed free reign, does indeed distort that which is natural--that is/would be man co-existing with all other species without interference. And that also includes the animals diet needs. (Except for fish, frogs and 'tree dwellers'-sloths, bintirongs, monkies, the grazers-cattle, gazelles, zebras, horses, etc. all other species consume/kill for meat. It is their job-to eliminate the weak and old, thus the 'natural' need for meat.
If one steps back and looks, all species have a specific 'job' to do in and of the way of their feeding habits. The above mentioned tree dwellers eat the fruits and the seeds pass through their systems being dropped with their feces to take root elsewhere.
It WAS a good plan-a perfect balance in the 'chain of life,' that is, till man entered the picture. And little, if anything, in the animal kingdom has been safe or respected since. I personally hope I live long enough to see the day that the Asian culture will realize that drinking tigers blood or consuming a potion from ground tiger bones or rhino horns won't make those puny little penises any larger, stronger or longer.
Yes, a global effort to end cruelty and mistreatment of animals is L-O-N-G overdue. To see it become a reality and enforced--well, there again lies a whole new battleground. But a battle worth fighting--for those that have no voice of their own.
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