Animals: Pets or Property?

Every day in this country cats and dogs are euthanized by the truckload. Horses are sold at auction destined for slaughter. Animal rescues plead for donations trying to salvage the starving, the abused, the neglected, and the forgotten. It seems that it should be criminal for our society to treat animals as nothing but property, nothing but expendable throw-aways. Why are animals treated as though they do not feel. They bleed, they suffer, and if one takes the time to look into their eyes long enough, they have intelligence.

What is wrong with people who get a wild hair one day and think they need to bring home a cuddly kitten, puppy, or a really nice back yard horse, why don't they feel obligated to taking on responsibility for that animal? Did the animal ask to go live at their house or farm? An animal is dependent, almost like a child, in that they are innocent, need care, and don't get to make decisions that impact their welfare.

The reason that there are so many throw-away expendable animals is that as people our society can be selfish beyond belief! I want, therefore, I will have. What gives anyone the unalienable right to purchase a pet, bring it home, and decide that it is inconvenient? I wonder if the dog, cat, or horse finds it inconvenient to have a needle stuck in its vein and injected with a lethal drug? Does the horse find it inconvenient to be left starving on a dry lot? The owner may say, I wouldn't do that, I sold Fido (or insert name here) to a nice home! Then how did Fido end up out on the street? Did you know or care that the next owner of your horse sent him to auction where he sold for meat?

The only solution to this ever growing problem of neglected and abandoned animals is for people to actually be responsible. Act like a grown up of some moral fiber. If you take on a pet, take care of that pet. If you do not have the fortitude to do that, at least have the guts to be there handy when the animal gets needle, or is slaughtered for meat. Just be handy that day to look the animal, your animal in the eye for the dirty deed.