21st Century CARES: WHY WE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR FUTURE DECISION MAKERS

“In 1999, adults in this country, made decisions which ultimately resulted in the unnecessary killing of over 8 million adoptable pets!!! Our children can do better if only given the proper information. We just need to show them the 21st Century Cares!

This introductory page is intended to answer the question of “WHY” to Humane Education. One of the most noticeable results of these programs is the development of a more sophisticated and solid moral structure for today's youth – providing them with a clearer picture, or ‘direction' from which they will navigate through life.

They will come to enjoy education more, resulting in higher attendance, more participation in the field of science, lower drop-out rates, etc. Too many animals are suffering and loosing their lives needlessly due to humans.

We are proud Americans! We want to continue saluting this flag with all the pride it deserves. STOP THE NEEDLESS KILLING OF THESE ANIMALS!!

PROBLEMS WE HOPE TO SOLVE...

ABUSE:
Every community has its problems. But, everyone would just be horrified by the statistics and stories given by their local police and animal control officers. The animals are unable to protect themselves or to report these actions. Additionally, many, who are aware of these atrocities, refuse to report the acts or even to address the perpetrators. We all have the responsibility to report these criminal acts.

UNAWARENESS:
As we know, the general public not only has LITTLE perspective on what the issues are, but an appalling ignorance as well. If you are unaware of the problem or what the cause is, there is no possible means of solving it. Unawareness is ignorance.

APATHY:
“Oh I can’t do anything. I’m just one person.” NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. But, apathy IS our biggest single problem.

Correct, one individual voice has it's limitations in volume. But, a chorus of 5,000,000 individuals singing together is a much different and more powerful sound! Apathy is a form of ignorance. Apathy and unawareness will assure photos like this will always be with us. Don’t be afraid to speak up!! Let this innocent pup have a good life.

WHAT GOT US TO THIS POINT

IRRESPONSIBILITY:
“When the time comes, I might get involved”. What are you waiting for??????

The average John and Jane Q Public feel they have the sufficient knowledge to train their new pet. Yet, the single largest problem people list when relinquishing their pets to the pounds is the 'owner's' lack of training skills - admitting the obvious, all too late.

PETS NOT BEING TRAINED PROPERLY
“Not being housebroken”, ‘not able to stop the jumping’, not able to walk him on a leash’ are the three most often heard. THESE ARE NOT FAULTS OF THE PET, but of the human. Yet, millions will go to the pound to die! Every time you witness a human abusing an animal, it is the human who has just admitted they are too stupid to have the knowledge necessary to communicate properly. They will try to cover up by pointing fingers at the ‘stupid’ or ‘aggressive’ animal.

DENIAL:
Humans typically repress painful things that they're made aware of. This is due to their own shortcomings and personal failures. Most Americans tend to view the problems of animal abuse and pet overpopulation from the same vantage point. We hope none of you see yourselves in this photo.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM.
IF WE CONTINUE TO DENY OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SIMPLE, EASY SOLUTION, CONTINUE TO TURN OUR BACKS ON THESE PROBLEMS AND REFUSE TO SPEAK OUT WHEN WE SEE ABUSE AND NEGLECT, THEN WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE THESE THINGS REALLY BEGIN TO IMPROVE???

AMERICA’S GROSS MISCONCEPTIONS

POMPOSITY:
Those who think that having that ‘accidental’ or ‘recreational’ litter of puppies or kittens is ok for THEM but not for others. They ARE the problem. “We've already got homes for most of them." Then, there is the "But, it's my right to have a litter if I want to!" Showing, clearly, that it's those who don't know how to play as a team, that most assuredly help to loose the game. Goodness, where are their heads? Let's see, 5,000,000 pompous folks thinking like this X 5 pets per litter = 25,000,000 MORE pets into a society that already has 8,000,000 or more pets to death each year, simply due to a lack of homes.

GREED:
Most of us want the easy way out. We don’t take the appropriate action, so we ‘donate’ to these groups. The large animal organizations want to make a living the easy way, too. Example: Each year we give hundreds of $$MILLION$$ to the Humane Society of the Unites States.

Oh, I'm sure they have a highly paid Public Relations person who would provide ‘lip service’ to argue this thought

They send us photos of helpless, caged animals, while extending their hands asking for dollars to solve the problems. Has it worked? NO! . And, we would believe them because top executives would never lie to us, now would they?

Their high level executives make salaries of over $250,000 per year. This organization has bank accounts with up to $$100 MILLION$$ just sitting there. They could easily focus on one of the main problems in this country and solve it in a years’ time. But, they don’t. They are actually surviving on the failures of the problems that we pay them to solve. We must admit the problems are ours and ours to solve. Like our fanatical minority and religious leaders, our large animal welfare organizations need their victims. Absent crime and imaginary situations against their people and teachings, these organizations disappear -- this means jobs. As long as they can convince those who don’t know any better, they will survive.

PROPERTY STATUS:
We're only talking about ONE right concerning animals, the right NOT to be viewed or classified as property. Then, of course there are the issues surrounding insufficient animal protective legislation at all levels, as well as the nationwide refusal to enforce existing laws or to prosecute those who are offenders: most especially the verbiage used to describe them as “PROPERTY” and ‘things’ referring to them as ‘its’.The NRA has a huge role to play in this argument. They certainly aren’t the brightest in the bunch – just one of the largest. They support the hunters, who seem to say the animals ‘belong’ to us. Somehow, I don’t believe our forefathers would support our present views on guns, nor do I think our creator would be pleased with our treatment of other beings on this planet.

POOR 'PLACEMENT' OR RE HOMING EFFORTS
Then, there are those who place “Free to Good Home’ ads. This, once healthy and loved Doberman Pincher “Mitsi” ended up in a home that raises and fights dogs. She was hastily placed through a ‘Free To Good Home’ ad with no background check or agreement with the adopting party. Mitsi died 2 weeks after this picture was taken

DEFINITIONS:
OWNER: One who has legal title for, or right to, or possession of an ‘item’ ‘thing’ or ‘object’.

GUARDIAN:One who adopts a baby or an animal for reasons of providing necessary care, nurturing, guidance and love, food water and shelter, in order to ensure a safe and healthy and happy life

WHICH DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

WHAT DOES THIS DO TO OUR SOCIETY

It cuts through the very fabric of civilization. Hate groups are gaining members in record numbers. Hate crimes and animal abuse cases are both on the rise at alarming rates and can be directly linked to one another. Some of the social problems include, but are not limited to: criminal behavior towards animals and humans: weakened moral development: poor academic achievement; and disinterest in academics and having an extremely poor knowledge on such issues as basic care for companion animals.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO

WE NEED TO REBUILD OUR ENTIRE WAY OF THINKING,VIEWING AND TEACHING OF ISSUES REGARDING ANIMAL SAFETY AND WELL BEING!!
DO NOT ALLOW THE LARGE HUMANE SOCIETIES TO CONVINCE YOU THE SOLUTION IS OUT OF REACH!!!

Obviously, changes need to occur. We need to break the chain of ignorance that allows our youth to follow the behavior of their parents. Those students who received the Humane Education program had significantly higher knowledge scores related to humane treatment of animals as well as humans and suggested awareness, empathy, and adoption of non-violent conflict resolution techniques.

We realize Americans are busier now than ever before. We must remember that the animals still need our patience, understanding and love. It’s really quite simple – quite elementary! Without this, by means of selfish and uninformed adults, they will likely suffer, and possibly even die. But, it’s not going to happen ‘magically’ either.

WE MUST ALL BE RESPONSIBLE!!!
It takes all of us working together. Let’s make sure that each of us takes that extra step and promise to speak out - to share this information with those who are unlikely to visit this and other similar sites.

BEFORE YOU GET YOUR NEXT PUPPY, GO TO THE LOCAL AND AREA DOG POUNDS 2 – 3 TIMES TO LOOK. YOU JUST MAY FIND THE DOG OF YOUR DREAMS, DREAMING OF YOU!