Do you give to animal charities?

[tiggerai]

I find guilt is a very effective emmotion.

As for they 'why should I do it if no-one else does' argument. Well, actually, I don't have a lot to say about that one. If you can't see why it's pure folly, then I'm not going to even try to make you.

And as for the animal wandering the streets, council tax goes up bit, again that's a pretty weak concept. If it came to the point that we were all knee deep in strays, there would be much stricter regulation on animal ownership, and a brief period where lots of homeless animals get put down. Then it wouldn't be so much of a problem anymore.

So you'd probably be upset if I said that I'd happily wipe out whole species of monkeys if it meant finding a cure for cancer?

I would be upset, but I wouldn't say no. Is that fair? It would be unfair on those who have cancer or the world losing another species to man's intervention.

My stance on these things is what I said in my above post. Lots of things, people, animals need our help, life isn't fair. Opinions are opinions. As stated above, i donate to a wide range of charities in different ways.. So i'm not making a choice over one or the other.

If I had £10 to donate to a war charity or an animal charity (I should start up my own, i can barely afford to eat at the moment) then I would go to a shop, split the tenner into 2 x £5 and give an amount to each. That is why, as you state, guilt is a powerful emotion. I'd feel guilty for the child that could be getting a months worth of meals but I'd also feel guilty for not prosecuting a person committing violent crime against an animal (which in a lot of cases, i've read, will lead to someone being violent to people - an animal cruelty conviction will flag this up to the authorities)

IBM, I don't usually participate in these discussions as my view on life is that S*** Happens, Life isn't fair and people are entitled to make their own opinions and not be chastised for it. Those pictures shock me about the children in sudan, ethiopa etc, but I have had a RSPCA picture (a kitten, "asleep" with a mortuary tag around its paw, after being thrown against a wall) reduce me to tears.
We can't help everyone, so those who at least choose to donate to SOMETHING should not be made to feel guilty for those decisions that they make. At least they ARE trying to make a difference. There are a lot of people out there who don't do anything.

I will now bow out of this discussion as I have aired my views. Those that know me well will know that pretty much nothing you say, the pictures you post will NOT change my mind on this one. So it's pointless arguing.

[Splash]

You want to compare the two? Suffering of animals vs. the suffering of people? So I take your dog, and I cut it's legs off. The I take your father/mother/brother/sister/son or daughter and I put their legs off. Which one is suffering more, and which one would you save? And would you even think twice?

I've been trying to hint at it but... what makes you think I can't save both? It's not an either/or decision, and I don't understand why you are trying to make it that way.

[IBM]

Again, it's a hypothetical situation. If you don't quite get the subject, further reading is in order.

And as for Friday rants....they make my heard hurt....

[kickstart 1]

ibm .. i will take it to a PM to answer you .

[Mossy]

ibm .. i will take it to a PM to answer you .

Aww thats not fair as IBM says I like we like these Friday discussions.

[kickstart 1]

Sorry not being a spoilsport , but what i have to say is very personal to me .

[Splash]

Again, it's a hypothetical situation. If you don't quite get the subject, further reading is in order.

And as for Friday rants....they make my heard hurt....

It's a hypothetical AND UNREALISTIC situation. Have another.

Someone breaks into your house and is going to cut off the legs of your mother or your father. Which one do you choose?

It's a ridiculous question to ask, yet to me is no more ridiculous than choosing between your dog and your dad. My cats are pretty much family to me.


To put another spin on it consider that most human issues are caused by human action. Can you honestly say that you believe that most domestic animal issues are caused by domestic animals?

[tiggerai]

To put another spin on it consider that most human issues are caused by human action. Can you honestly say that you believe that most domestic animal issues are caused by domestic animals?

What, like who gets the titbits first? Or who's gonna sleep on mum's lap

it's always an issue in our household. (of 5 cats and a GSD, all rehomed from the RSPCA!)

EDIT: sorry, just trying to lighten the mood a bit...

[Dareos]

Either make a meaningful contribution, or not at all.

well, i think the whole premise of your argument is narrow minded and flawed. Why should you only include people that give to animal charities, and not include people that spend money on things for themselves rather than helping anyone else.

I know its all very easy to ignore things happening in other countries, and its hard to throw moiney at something when you can't actually see the difference its making, but to come and post here, rather aggressively i may add, about people giiving money to charitiies close to their hearts, i feel is an error in judgement on your part.

[Splash]

What, like who gets the titbits first? Or who's gonna sleep on mum's lap

it's always an issue in our household. (of 5 cats and a GSD, all rehomed from the RSPCA!)

EDIT: sorry, just trying to lighten the mood a bit...

My kitties have established their own pecking order and who sleeps where. Most of the time.

My question stands though - is it a dog's fault that their owner abuses them, and locks them in a shed, chained up all the time? We're top of the food chain, and I believe that with great power comes great responsibility.

I think Kickstart is on her way round to IBMs place to explain her point though...

[Bazzlad]

I'd give to animal charities, and always do.

As a race, there's far too many of us, and we've already wiped out species we shouldn't have.

So the cat wins.

[99Flake]

I don't give to charity at all, I used to but I can't afford it. If I had the money I would give to both but I would give more to 'human' (as you call them) charities, although I think the right word would be 'humanitarian' surely? I would like to do my bit for both, I care for animals too and as such both of my cats are rescue cats. You pay the rescue centre for them knowing it will help other animals.

(Having said that my next pet will be a GSD puppy and I don't think I will be able to rescue one of those )

[kickstart 1]

YES 99 Flake you can rescue a GSD puppy ! I have 2 rescued GSD's and although they weren't puppies ( i didnt want puppies , wanted to give older dogs a chance) Puppies do get dumped, ring round your local dogs homes nearer the time or a GSD rescue place .

[99Flake]

Won't be for a while yet, but that sounds good. I must say though I do get fussy with them i.e hip score, plus I only want a long haired one. Sounds a bit horrible but my parents have always had them and I love them to bits so that is how I am about them. I would love a champagne one

Plus I want a puppy so I can train it etc.

[mcmiller]

You want to compare the two? Suffering of animals vs. the suffering of people? So I take your dog, and I cut it's legs off. The I take your father/mother/brother/sister/son or daughter and I put their legs off. Which one is suffering more, and which one would you save? And would you even think twice?

i hope you joking by then utterly stupid and to be quite frank ignorant comment ! just because a human is able to communicate that he is in pain does not mean that the animal does not feel any pain!

Its good that you feel strongly about human welfare but to put that above everything and to tell everyone else not to give there money to animal charities is just plain wrong, its important that we ensure the survival of all the species on the planet not just humans.

[kickstart 1]

99Flake;At least check it out , nothing to loose ! You would be suprised what turns up .You could even ask them to notify you if one came in .