They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I've found that to be true, not only in my life, but all around me. So why do we keep doing the same things? Are we that afraid of change? It's much easier to coast in one's comfort zone, presuming one can ever really find it. So is it that we just get lazy? It is quite possible to get fatigued and tired, but after a time of rest one can generally recapture the drive and energy to get moving again. Is it that learning new things, new approaches can be hard to do? We have been learning new things since the day we were born, we were meant to learn. New things may take some effort to learn initially, but after some repetition, they become easier.
So what's stopping us from making real progress in improving the treatment of animals in our society? Fear? Laziness? Too hard? How about inconvenient? Time consuming? Can't be bothered? These are all excuses used by people to justify inaction and apathy. Another excuse, "it's always been done that way" is the very definition of insanity I started this post with.
We are on the verge of change for animals as well as society in general. More people are taking up the cause of helping homeless animals, preventing homelessness to begin with, encouraging compassionate treatment and humane standards for these animals. I am referring to animal rescue groups and individuals working with shelters to promote adoption rather than purchase, to promote spay and neuter rather than breeding, to promote education as a way to change society.
So why are so many shelters still clinging to "the way things have always been done"? Why are so many municipalities clinging to outmoded methods of operation even though the majority of citizens want change? Why is the adoption of humane standards of care for shelter animals such a low priority? These standards are not necessarily costly, or even excessively time consuming. Many, in fact will in the long run save money and time, not to mention improving the lives of the animals involved. True, it does require a learning commitment, perhaps some repetition, being open to new ideas and possibilities.
Perhaps those in charge of these shelters fear change, can't be bothered or just don't care. Many have no reason to change, as long as they are not impacted negatively, as long as they don't have to take the phone calls, as long as volunteers continue to take the surplus animals, thereby reducing euthanasia numbers. All the while those in charge aren't bothered by the public, don't encourage education or spay and neuter programs, don't advocate TNR, continue to release unaltered adopted animals, don't bother with prompt and proper veterinary care for injured or sick animals. All these attitudes trickle down and soon moral is low, laziness sets in and no one wants to be bothered.
Don't get me wrong, I know working in such an environment is incredibly hard, but the standards I mentioned are not only for the good of the animals, but for the good of those charged with caring for them. No one seeks change until forced to, this applies to external situations as well as our personal lives. It's not until things become uncomfortable that we move away, try to ignore or seek to change things.
So my message to all those working for change, don't give up, don't ignore or enable. Rest if you need to, but get right back in, keep pushing, make those in charge uncomfortable enough to seek change. I realize we may not be able to change the world, but we can sure change our part of it.
So what's stopping us from making real progress in improving the treatment of animals in our society? Fear? Laziness? Too hard? How about inconvenient? Time consuming? Can't be bothered? These are all excuses used by people to justify inaction and apathy. Another excuse, "it's always been done that way" is the very definition of insanity I started this post with.
We are on the verge of change for animals as well as society in general. More people are taking up the cause of helping homeless animals, preventing homelessness to begin with, encouraging compassionate treatment and humane standards for these animals. I am referring to animal rescue groups and individuals working with shelters to promote adoption rather than purchase, to promote spay and neuter rather than breeding, to promote education as a way to change society.
So why are so many shelters still clinging to "the way things have always been done"? Why are so many municipalities clinging to outmoded methods of operation even though the majority of citizens want change? Why is the adoption of humane standards of care for shelter animals such a low priority? These standards are not necessarily costly, or even excessively time consuming. Many, in fact will in the long run save money and time, not to mention improving the lives of the animals involved. True, it does require a learning commitment, perhaps some repetition, being open to new ideas and possibilities.
Perhaps those in charge of these shelters fear change, can't be bothered or just don't care. Many have no reason to change, as long as they are not impacted negatively, as long as they don't have to take the phone calls, as long as volunteers continue to take the surplus animals, thereby reducing euthanasia numbers. All the while those in charge aren't bothered by the public, don't encourage education or spay and neuter programs, don't advocate TNR, continue to release unaltered adopted animals, don't bother with prompt and proper veterinary care for injured or sick animals. All these attitudes trickle down and soon moral is low, laziness sets in and no one wants to be bothered.
Don't get me wrong, I know working in such an environment is incredibly hard, but the standards I mentioned are not only for the good of the animals, but for the good of those charged with caring for them. No one seeks change until forced to, this applies to external situations as well as our personal lives. It's not until things become uncomfortable that we move away, try to ignore or seek to change things.
So my message to all those working for change, don't give up, don't ignore or enable. Rest if you need to, but get right back in, keep pushing, make those in charge uncomfortable enough to seek change. I realize we may not be able to change the world, but we can sure change our part of it.
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