How can we stop animal cruelty in the world?

Welcome to today’s discussion. I aim to talk about a matter of great importance that is often overlooked and neglected by a huge number of people in our modern society. If you haven’t already figured it out, our topic is Animal cruelty and animal abuse. There are a large number of noticeable and hidden reasons that such upsetting problems haven’t been solved yet, considering that this sad issue has become so normalized and ordinary that people consider it to be the very purpose why animals exist.

The main point of this reflective article is to walk you through every single detail in terms of animal cruelty and animal abuse, including why it is important to stop animal cruelty and how you can help stop that, and by providing you with practical steps that you must take in order to stop these awful matters from happening any more.
As a person who is in favor of veganism,

I’ve come to realize what’s actually going on behind the scenes in the lives of innocent animals. Over 10 million animals die from cruelty in the United States each year, according to statistics. That is why I want you to stick with me until the end of this article since I intend to have your eyes opened to the harsh realities and encourage you to take the first step toward animals’ welfare by spreading awareness.

Now, animal cruelty manifests itself in various forms; some of them are clear and apparent right in front of our eyes, and others are insidious and subtly done under a handful of laws that make many brutalities legal for professional, scientific, and industrial activities. All allow for different types of violence to happen to animals without anyone paying attention or taking notice.
Animal cruelty is a broad term that involves a wide range of brutal actions done to animals, such as causing harm and suffering to them, ignoring their basic needs and rights, and so on. Each of these matters requires huge analyses and strong criticism. As a result, I will cover all of them in this article, and I want you to accompany me in this transformative movement to bring positive change and make a better future for animals.

What is animal cruelty and what are its types

Now, what is the meaning of animal cruelty in detail? Animal cruelty is a term that refers to various forms of abuse, cruelty, and neglect that almost all animals go through every day. This can range from failing to provide essential care and support to brutal killing or constant torture of animals that cause lots of emotional, physical, or even sexual harm to these innocent animals. But since it has become so normalized to the point that it’s now difficult to spot it, we must pay close attention to what’s going on behind closed doors, and then we realize the importance of our attention and the action required to address these issues.

As I mentioned earlier, cruelty to animals covers different types of mistreatment and evil behavior that cause unnecessary pain and harm to a large number of animals. Essentially, there are two main categories of animal cruelty, which are the acts of neglect and abuse. The first one is indirect and is generally about failing to provide enough care to animals; an example of this would be the lack of food, water, or veterinary care, which are basically the minimum needs of living beings like ourselves. The second one is immediately impactful and directly done, which includes intentional harm to an animal by actions like physical abuse. There are many more types of animal cruelty, but they are placed under these two main categories.

The motives behind these horrible acts can vary largely, as each person is somehow contributing to the suffering of animals in one way or another, from ignorance and indifference towards animals or sadistic pleasures. Therefore, this will result in all sorts of intentional and unintentional physical harm to animals, leading to extreme suffering with long-standing negative effects on the animals.

 There are many conversations about animal rights and all the cruelties performed on them, but when it comes to the torture and slaughter of animals in different industries, the harsh realities they face every day are overlooked. Since people’s indifference has led to these tragedies for animals, if they understand and comprehend their sufferings, the condition for them will certainly improve.
For example, within the food industry, in order to have mass production, animals like cows, chickens, and so on are put under extreme pressure to meet all humans’ needs, such as forcing continual pregnancy on cows in order to stimulate their milk production. With such actions, the life span of cows is reduced to only 5 years, while their normal life span is 20 years.

In the wool, leather, and clothing industries, the skin of creatures of all sizes is taken off while they are still alive and breathing only because they are seen as tools or objects to fulfill human needs. Their suffering is hidden behind the fashionable and luxurious items of clothing. Behind each feather that is plucked for beauty and fashion lies the screams of many innocent animals; they all indicate their sufferings and torture, but still nobody stands against it, as if they are real objects and don’t breathe like us.

In this regard, Louise J. Camuti has wisely quoted

“Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves”

The same animals that entertain people with their tricks in zoos or circuses are always found languishing behind the cold bars of zoological parks or are compelled by heartless humans to perform acts for the amusement of people in many places like dolphinariums. These sentient and alive animals, which possess complex emotions and intelligence, mirror ourselves and are subjected to live in captivity and oppression only for the entertainment of humans.
Trust me, there are better alternatives of entertainment in which no creature is harmed, and you will be more amused with a clear conscious.

Under the roofs of many homes, animal cruelty exists as a sign of irresponsibility and inhumanity, where those animals that depend on us for care and protection are facing neglect and violence. Just like when a loved one expects care and protection from us, but we fail to provide it.
In the laboratories, animals are subjects of testing in order to bring advantage to humans, as they are experiencing fear and pain by mutilation and many injections. Their sacrifices go unseen, but the pain they endure constantly is understandable to us. According to recent studies, nearly 115 million animals are used in laboratory experiments every year.

Legal and illegal animal cruelty

It’s really disturbing to imagine the forms of legal and illegal animal cruelty are that noticeable to us and have become so normalized that we overlook and ignore them. For example, animal testing that takes countless innocent lives, the dairy and livestock industries that torture and kill animals, postal services, etc. Also, some of them are done in the name of law, and the people behind these horrible actions would want to escape from the consequences. We are here, however, to stop such legal or illegal acts from happening and spread awareness among people to make a change in our attitudes.
Here, I will talk about legal and illegal forms of animal cruelty. Please read them carefully to understand what they go through every day in order to meet the unnecessary needs of humans. All those needs have harmless alternatives, and all that you have to do is take part in changing the condition.

Legal Animal Cruelty:

1_Factory Farming: in these so-called legal industrial activities that are basically designed to exploit animals, they are often kept in restrictive, overcrowded conditions and experience painful procedures like taking excessive amounts of milk from cows or mass murdering male chicks as they have no profit for the industry.
2_Animal testing for cosmetics and pharmaceutical purposes: Animals are subjected to painful tests and are usually killed after the tests are done. In some cases, their tissues or organs are removed to be tested while they are still alive, or they experiment with new drugs to find out about their efficiency and side effects. Just imagine the same thing happening to us. How would you feel?
3_Live Animal Transport: Long-distance transport of animals for industries will again bring injury, stress, and death because of crowded conditions, extreme temperatures, and lack of food and water.
4_ Hunting: Hunting for the price of it or as a trophy is legal in some regions, and in certain seasons, hunters are allowed to kill innocent animals. But at what cost? Killing a living being for a price or keeping them as trophies? Please take a second look and stop any indifference to animals.
5_The Fur Trade: The act of breeding and killing animals only to rip off their fur is legal in many parts of the world. I wonder how no one stands up against it and says out loud that these creatures are alive and feel like we do. As you fight for any type of cruelty done to humans, do the same thing for animals; there is fundamentally no difference between us; they only belong to another species.
6_Cultural or Religious Practices: In some cultures, there are many traditions in which sacrificing animals is a legal manner or sometimes an act of goodwill that will bring good luck for them.

Please look deeper into the fact that killing a harmless animal will generate good luck. I suppose if it’s going to generate anything, that would be bad luck and misery, as they cut a living being’s life short with complete brutality.

Illegal types of cruelty to animals are not completely done in the shadows, and people take note of such practices but remain silent and indifferent due to their attitudes that consider animals a tool and not a living creature. Here, I will discuss the forms of illegal animal cruelty.

Illegal Animal Cruelty:

1.Dog Fighting, Cockfighting, and Bullfighting:

Such illicit activities force animals to fight for the sake of entertainment and gambling. They are illegal in most parts of the world but still occur underground. Sometimes in rituals, these practices occur, and people participate in them proudly.

2.Poaching:

The illegal Hunting, capturing, or killing of wildlife animals in order to gain profit and to bring in revenue. For example, poaching endangered species for their body parts, like elephant ivory or rhino horn. After that, their body parts are smuggled all around the world and are sold at a high price. But shouldn’t your deep sense of empathy and humanity tell you something is wrong that must be solved?

3. Neglect and Abandonment:

Many animals are intentionally deprived of food, water, shelter, socialization, and proper care only to force different things on them and put their well-being at risk. For example, the forms of animal abuse in zoos and circuses often involve these methods for animals’ punishment, torture, or training.

4.Intentional Abuse:

Deliberate harm to an animal, such as beating, burning, mutilating, torturing, and physical or sexual abuse, which is all absolutely illegal, and filing a police report about it will have unfortunate consequences for anyone who commits them.

5. Animal trafficking organizations:

In this form of illicit animal cruelty, wild or endangered species will be traded to become pets, make traditional medicines out of them, or for other uses. It is a large criminal enterprise that harms our ecosystems and all animals in general. The negative effects will return to us when the ecosystem is damaged.

Both legal and illegal forms of cruelty to animals have a huge impact on everyone globally. And as living creatures, we must feel responsible for advocating for stricter laws, that increase animals’ welfare and protection by removing all sorts of practices that cause unnecessary suffering, no matter whether they are considered legal or illegal.

When it comes to what is considered legal or illegal, we must try to set new measurements and shit the line between them by changing the laws and raising people’s awareness about our fundamental values. Perhaps they stop their indifference.
Legal practices now may become illegal in the future, as we have seen the constant change of legislation on animal testing for cosmetics in many countries. So, our main purpose is to encourage you to expand the range of what is considered illegal in our society and constantly try to set new rules to reduce cruelty to animals.

All types of animal cruelty

As I previously discussed animal abuse definition, below I will talk in detail about the two main types of animal cruelty and their different forms, even though they all possess a common trait of causing damage to animals.

Animal abuse involves deliberate harm that is brought down on animals. It can include things like causing physical, emotional, or sexual harm to an animal or their participation in fights. These are usually the most noticeable and awful forms of animal cruelty.

Different acts of cruelty to animals can include:

• Physical abuse.This one’s definition is quite obvious, as intentional acts are done in an effort to cause pain, suffering, or death to animals. Such acts cover things like beating, burning, choking or suffocating, dragging, drowning, hanging, kicking or stomping, mutilating, poisoning, shooting, stabbing, and throwing, and many more ill behaviors. For instance, some horses are brutally sored only to perform better in competitions. In some cases, physical abuse includes sexual contact with animals, particularly the form of contact that leads to injuries to the animals’ genitalia.
• Organized animal fighting or warfare is a savage form of entertainment in which animals are put into fights against each other. The most common victims of these practices are street or abandoned animals that are often sold in illegal trades or put directly into fights. Now, when it comes to organized animal fighting, bullfighting and cockfighting are the two most common forms, and they are occasionally done for ceremonial purposes or only for the sake of entertainment. Before these fights, the animals are injured to make sure the chance of their survival is at its lowest. In this way, organizations will generate money for themselves by using the element of unpredictability that which animal is going to win in these competitions.
• Killing or injuring an animal, with or without a justifiable reason, is another form of animal abuse that is seen in all other forms of animal cruelty.
• Animals will also face abuse and cruelty in the entertainment industry and many forms of media. For example, in circuses, animals are forced to perform dangerous actions with a high chance of injury and suffering. As they trained with harmful mechanisms such as conditioning to make themselves squeezed into small spaces and get past them, or jumping through flaming rings. The sad reality is that before shows, these animals are in repeated training, and any failure to act as the instructor wants will lead to their punishment with unbelievable methods.

In media, filmmaking from physical and sexual abuse of animals has become so popular and with long-term effects on animals that crushes my heart even when I want to write about it. If something like this occurs to a human, they won’t be the same person after this trauma, and many usually commit suicide after sexual or physical abuse. So, please wait for a second and imagine what will happen to these animals that can’t speak or act like us but feel every single emotion we feel.

Neglect is when an owner fails to provide the necessary elements that are critical for an animal’s survival, such as inadequate food, water, or veterinary care. For example, if someone doesn’t provide the medical needs of an animal that has been injured or when a dog is left outside without any access to water, food, and shelter. Occasionally, neglect can be intentional; an example of this would be neglecting to feed chickens in order to force molting on them so that they can produce more eggs.

Down here, I’ll mention the forms of neglect:

– Failure to provide sufficient food and water, which leads to starvation and death of animals.
– Lack of suitable shelter that leaves animals to be exposed to extreme weather conditions, causing unnecessary suffering for them.
– Ignoring basic veterinary care for animals can lead to many diseases or injuries, which can even be dangerous for humans, as most diseases in animals are contagious and will be transmitted to people. So, what goes around comes around. All of these three forms of neglect can be defined as Hoarding
– Hoarding is one of those severe forms of neglect in which a person confines and keeps a large number of animals in a small area or in poor living conditions. As a result, the owner is unable to provide minimal food, shelter, cleanliness, or even medical care in a place where it’s really packed and overcrowded. Therefore, keeping animals in these filthy conditions will lead to starvation, illness, or even death. Individuals who are hoarding usually feel as if they are saving these animals from homelessness and suffering, so they label themselves as rescuers. Some studies suggest that these hoarders often reveal some type of behavioral disorder that must certainly be addressed.
– Abandonment, where pets are left alone to themselves because the owner is perhaps unwilling or unable to care for them.

Such events are truly heartbreaking and must trigger you to take action against them, by understanding that animals have feelings and have millions of sensory nerves, the same as us, that transmit even the smallest tap to an animal’s brain.

As society and people’s awareness is increased about the emotional capacities of animals, the definition of animal treatment will change immeasurably, and advocacy for animals will be raised in jurisdictions to regulate more proper laws regarding animal welfare, which hopefully will lead to greater protection for all species, from pets to wildlife.

Interestingly, the acts of animal cruelty are not only limited to different types of threats to animals, but they can also reveal deeper social problems. Research shows that there is a strong link between animal abuse and other forms of violence, such as domestic abuse and violent crimes. In fact, Around 70% of domestic abuse  victims reported that the abuser also targeted their family pets. Therefore, advocating for animals’ rights will not only be for vulnerable and voiceless animals, but for our own sake as well. So, I’m asking you to recognize these practices, criticize them, and take positive steps to stop animal cruelty, since we have the power to work towards a world where both animals and humans live in peace. Through raising our voices for law reforms, proper education, and spreading ethical and right attitudes and behaviors in society.

Effects of animal cruelty on:

Effects of Animal Cruelty on The Environment

Cruelty to animals is a disturbing problem with much emotional and physical harm to the animals, but it doesn’t stop there, and its effects extend beyond the immediate suffering of animals. As such, cruelties create a destructive and negative chain of reactions, leading to catastrophic damage to the environment. So, the effects of animal cruelty on the environment will ultimately return to us. When animals are harmed, or their habitats are destroyed, it creates a domino effect on the ecosystem and disrupts its balance since the efficiency of our ecosystem relies on every single species. Therefore, by changing the natural order, we will cause a decline in plant regeneration, and soil erosion will increase, water sources will be contaminated, which all impact our overall health. So, by standing against cruelty to animals and ending our indifference towards them, not only are we helping living beings, but we are helping ourselves as well.

Effects of Animal Cruelty on Human Health and Psychology

The impact of cruelty to animals and indifference towards them will directly penetrate into our mental well-being. To witness or commit such cruelties and remaining indifferent towards them will deeply hurt our psyche and consciousness without our realization. All of these will provide an environment where insensitivity and violence can grow, which will cause feelings of insecurity for our loved ones who need our protection. As studies have shown, there is a direct link between cruelty toward animals and family aggression, all showing psychological problems. Therefore, by spreading awareness about animals’ suffering and creating a safe environment for them, we are preventing many crimes and violence, as we trigger people’s consciousness and educate them about such issues.

Effects of Animal Cruelty on The Generation of Negative Karma

As we all believe in different sorts of things, karma is usually one theme, whether through philosophical or spiritual aspects; we all face the consequences of our actions; even non-religious people who have more scientific beliefs can’t get away from the law of cause and effect in nature. Basically, this concept suggests that any harmful actions done in the present will lead to future suffering for anyone committing them. So, this karma or law applies to animal cruelty and any type of indifference towards them, and all these plants a dark seed for us, and then it shows itself in future hardships. This cosmic rule asks us, if we seek prosperity and success, to consider the impact of our choices and actions on the environment around us.
What we can learn from these is to feel responsible towards all species and end our ignorance towards them by shifting our attitudes that animals are living beings just like us, and if we choose to do nothing for them, we will face the consequences of our indifference.

How can we lessen the injustice against animals?

Our world has become a place where voiceless animals are suffering in silence because of many people’s wrongdoings and indifference.

As Wayne Gerard Trotman said:

“societies that lack respect for animals eventually lose respect for human beings.”

Based on everything we’ve discussed until now, it is our profound duty to turn the tide against animal cruelty by realizing how we can stop animal cruelty in the world.
First of all, by advocating for innocent animals, you can’t imagine how much change you can bring, starting with spreading certain hashtags on social media about cruelty to animals; this activity will lead to the end of people’s ignorance as it will raise many conversations with itself. Also, if an individual like you decides to boycott companies that use heart-wrenching practices such as animal testing for their production process and instead shift your support towards brands that honor animal rights.
Moreover, you must end the cycle of demand for pets, as we should no longer see them as items or products that are traded for profit and greedy purposes but see them as beloved companions.
Do not purchase animals from organizations that are somehow involved in animal cruelty and slaughter, but rather adopt pets who are abandoned and desperately need homes due to human negligence.
Refrain yourself from using brands of clothes, bags, shoes, or home furnishings that result from animal testing or are made from animals’ skin. In this case, you can decrease the demand in these industries, and many animals will continue to live because of our very choice of supporting veganism and animal rights.
A large number of cosmetics are built on the exploitation and torture of animals. For example, casein and cochineal are the two most common derivatives from animals that are used in such industries. Instead, use cruelty-free beauty and hygiene products that no creature’s scream lies behind it.
Please avoid supporting the entertainment industry by not going to places like circuses, zoos, aquariums, and dolphinariums, where sentient creatures are reduced to playthings for our amusement.

Please educate yourself and those around you about animal rights. Remind them of the quote from Jane Goodall, who said, “Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved.”

In the end, I’m inviting you to advocate for animal rights and embrace veganism by avoiding purchasing or consuming meat, animal products, or derivatives. Each meal of yours will reduce the demand in the mentioned industries and result in less animal suffering, also, it is a protest against animal cruelty.

Report legal and illegal animal cruelty

If you witness that animal cruelty is taking place, make an effort to de-escalate the situation by having a conversation with the abuser or rescuing the animal being harmed. However, if things get out of control, contact a local animal rescue representative about the situation or directly report it to the police, who will soon arrive at the scene and start the investigation.

Conclusion

Since we have reached the end of our article, I intend to start this section with a quote from Emmanuel Kant saying: “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
So, please speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.
If you feel the pain when another human suffers, if you advocate for peace and are against captivity, wars, torture, death, assault, slaughter, and human crimes, do not be indifferent to the wave of legal and illegal animal cruelties happening around us that have, unfortunately, become normalized.

If you, like me, have come to the conclusion that you must distance yourself from the sorrow, suffering, and negative energy of harmed animals returning back to ourselves, join me in spreading this article and accepting veganism with open hands.

Last but not least, watch these videos for a better understanding of animal rights, and share them as you will help yourself as well as animals. And let us know what’s your opinion about animal rights and the cruelties done to them. Do you have an effective solution to reduce animal suffering?

1. Dominion

2. Cowspiracy

3. What the Health

4. The Game Changers

5. Seaspiracy

6. Live and Let Live

7.The Animal People

8. Blackfish

sara

Hi, I’m Sara, a vegan mom of two. My family and I have been living a vegan lifestyle for over 8 years now. I’m excited to share tips and insights about veganism and plant-based living through my posts. I love exploring new ideas, reading, and finding ways to grow. My passion for learning drives me to share what I discover, hoping to inspire and inform others along the way. As a content writer and screenwriter, I’m passionate about creating impactful stories around veganism, animal rights, and social justice. I’ve written several short films that explore the connection between veganism and social justice, with my work featured in various publications. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them in the comments section or shoot me an email through the contact form on the website—I usually respond within 24 hours.