One thing that makes my travel blog unique is how it is centres around animals, and so I feel that it is my duty to participate in spreading the word about Animal Cruelty Awareness Week.
I have published a post on Animal Exploitation and How to Avoid It which is on par with what I will be discussing in this blog.
Animal exploitation is not the only form of animal cruelty. Cruelty to animals can take the form of physical abuse, neglect, lack of information on the type of animal you are caring for, incorrect diet and many more.
What is ACAW and when is it?
Animal Cruelty Awareness Week runs from the 19th – 26th April 2020, or the 3rd week of April yearly.
It is a week dedicated to raising awareness of the mistreatment of animals, with no discrimination against species, wild or domesticated or farm, age or ‘cuteness’ factor.
How is Animal Cruelty Defined?
According to the Humane Society, the definition they provide of animal cruelty is:
Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cruelty investigated by humane officers is unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education.
Intentional cruelty can run the gamut from knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization or veterinary care to maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating or killing an animal.
In the UK, there is Animal Welfare Act, 2006 which states that all animals have:
- The need for a suitable diet (including access to clean water)
- The need for suitable housing / environment
- The need to perform natural behaviours
- The need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals as appropriate
- The need to be free from pain, injury, suffering and disease
If people are not following the above act, it can be classed as cruelty.
Animals have been classed as sentient beings since 1997 by the Amsterdam Treaty. Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to an animal, can be a common issue when discussing welfare as it can be difficult to describe suffering without projecting human emotions onto animals.
Suffering can be described as ‘unpleasant subjective feelings’ which can lead to these animals being ‘unable to carry out the actions that would normally reduce risks to life and reproduction’ (Dawkins, 1990).
Statistics
You can also view the RSPCA’s 2018 Annual Review here which has a compilation of statistics and case studies and more in-depth information of cruelty.
How is Airborne for Animals Helping?
With the help of you, my goal is to raise money for World Animal Protection charity.
I do not have a set goal in mind, but I will be sure to raise as much as I can and celebrate with all of you at the end of the week.
The ‘Donate’ button above is a link to a GoFundMe page which sends 100% of donations to World Animal Protection.
I have also created a poster which you can download from here:
How Can You Help Raise Awareness?
Every little helps when it comes to raising awareness! You don’t need to spend money (although a small donation to the link above would be incredible), and a simple click of the share button can do so much!
However, there is so much you can do!
- Fundraising events
- Educational events
- Share the posts
- Donate to charities
- Foster an animal
- Download my posters and print them, you can spread them everywhere! Or make your own posters!
- Volunteer at charities
- Avoid animal exploitation
- Cut down on meat / animal products
It is really important that you look out for signs of animal cruelty and report them as soon as you can. Reporting can be done anonymously to your local dog warden or the RSPCA.
TRIGGER WARNING – The video below is GRAPHIC and UPSETTING so please watch at your own risk. I believe the message behind this video is important and should not be ignored.
Nice awareness