April is prevention of cruelty to animals
Many national and local organizations mark April as a month to raise awareness against animal cruelty. The images that we sometimes see of animal cruelty cases can be profoundly disturbing - they strike a deep chord within us. The topic of animal welfare is not limited to domestic family pets. Animal welfare is a significant national concern with a lengthy history in American law extending back to the early colonial times. At the federal level, Congress has repeatedly made it clear that ensuring the humane treatment of animals - whether by a zoo, commercial breeder, horse show, laboratory, or even a slaughterhouse - is a national policy.
This is the time to raise our voices and speak for the prevention of cruelty to animals. There are many types of animal cruelty, and it is important to recognize the various warning signs. While most people associate animal cruelty with abuse and neglect, the problem frequently extends far beyond cases of outright maltreatment.
Mission Viejo Animal Control Officers conduct a variety of investigations ranging from nuisance complaints, potentially dangerous and vicious dog incidents and criminal investigations for crimes against animals. Animal Control Officers also enforce a variety of Fish and Wildlife codes such as possession of restricted species, unlawful trapping and feeding of wildlife.
The most effective strategy to counteract animal cruelty is to educate ourselves on what animal cruelty looks like and how to spot warning signs. Knowing what to look for and arming ourselves with knowledge could mean the difference between life and death for innocent animals.
Animal Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect are among the most common forms of animal cruelty in the United States. While abuse and neglect frequently go hand in hand, they are actually two sorts of cruelty: active and passive.
Active abuse is typically violent and includes the animal being beaten, hit, kicked, cut, burned, or maimed. This is very violent and traumatic and often results in death.
Passive abuse takes the form of neglect and includes malnutrition, dehydration, inadequate housing, being kept in cages/carriers, unsanitary living circumstances, or a lack of critical veterinary attention. While this is a less violent act of abuse, it is nonetheless considered animal cruelty and may result in the animal's death.
Some signs of abuse and neglect to look out for:
- Obvious or severe injuries
- Lack of grooming
- Skittish or scared behavior
- Overly aggressive behavior
- Low body weight or visible bones
- Mangey or severely matted fur
- Presence of excessive fleas and/or ticks
If you live in an area with neighbors, pay attention to any animals that are routinely kept outside. Leaving animals outside in excessive heat or cold without sufficient shelter or protection is considered mistreatment. Contact your local animal control immediately if you feel an animal has been abused or neglected.
Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding is a type of animal maltreatment that has become quite common in the United States. Millions of people suffer from a hoarding disorder, which is a mental ailment that drives them to gather goods, objects, and rubbish excessively. Regrettably, there are animal hoarders as well. Every year in the United States, it is estimated that 250,000 animals are victims of animal hoarding.
Animal hoarding might begin innocently enough, with people really wanting to help homeless or abandoned animals. Some people begin as rescues or fosters and quickly spiral into an unmanageable situation.
The disorder begins to spiral out of control when the number of animals becomes too much for the individual to care for. People will hoard hundreds or even thousands of animals in the most extreme circumstances. When the quantity of animals becomes uncontrollable, their surroundings, hygiene, and care will quickly deteriorate. Many animals die as a result of extreme hoarding.
Some signs and symptoms of animal hoarding include:
- Lack of grooming
- Foul smells on the animal
- Foul smells in or around the home
- Eye diseases
- Oral diseases
- Mangey or matted fur
- Presence of excessive fleas and/or ticks
Because of vigilant animal advocates, many animals are saved from potentially deadly hoarding situations. When these animals are brought to the vet, they are oftentimes riddled with disease, poor hygiene, and are under extreme psychological distress. Many animals require specialized care to recover from the trauma caused by hoarding. If you suspect someone of being an animal hoarder, please contact your local animal control right away.
Ways to support the prevention of cruelty to animals
Adopt don't shop. Avoid breeders that sell dogs, cats, and other purebred animals to discourage the spread of unethical puppy mills and backyard breeders. Adoption also saves lives by freeing up space in shelters and offering forever homes for other furry pals.
Speak up. Raise cruelty awareness by discussing the value of adoption with friends, neighbors, and family members. Spread the word about local animal welfare regulations or any other animal-related topics that are near to your heart.
Volunteer. Volunteers are essential to animal rescues and shelters. Photographing pets up for adoption, walking dogs, offering office help, socializing kittens, and meeting potential new pet parents are some ideas. Find out more about our volunteer program here.
Donate. If time is an issue, consider making a monetary donation. Animal shelters, for example, rely on the financial support of concerned citizens (and your gift is tax-deductible).
Report cruelty. If you see an animal being abused or neglected (e.g., tied or chained without water, abandoned by owners, underweight, etc.), report it to your local animal shelter.
Raise compassionate children. Raising the next generation of compassionate animal lovers is one of the simplest methods to prevent animal abuse. Enlist the assistance of your own children or form a group of local parents who are also interested in preventing animal cruelty.