OT: dogs being killed at the Sochi games. What we can do to help them

[johnmh71]

Not to say this isn't bad, but aren't there people out there that need help too? I would start there before I moved onto animals.

[Cliff Bowman]

As bad as this is, dogs (and cats) are treated worse in China, Korea, and Viet Nam.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

Not to say this isn't bad, but aren't there people out there that need help too? I would start there before I moved onto animals.

I get where you're coming from here.

BUT to look at this from another angle, and tie it in to your sentiment. If somehow, we were to focus solely on the needs of people, instead of getting sidetracked with animals, and other assorted causes, then we could get the people in a position, where maybe they could help the animals, in the form of being capable of giving them homes... Basically, a little trickle down effect..

For every job that gets outsourced, downsized, or whatever, not only do we make it harder on that household to function at full capacity, we also make it harder for them to be able to afford pets... And for every family that loses a house, they also(more than likely) lose a home for their pets, or potential pets... Start with the people, and the pets will greatly benefit as well..

How many people can afford to care for a pet, in terms of food and other general costs(licenses, whatever), but don't because the basic veterinary care makes it unaffordable for them? Probably plenty. Imagine instead of money being given to the ASPCA or other assorted animal groups, that the money went to support veterinary costs for lower end households. NOT saying more money, but the EXACT same money. Personally, I think more would be accomplished in terms of finding permanent homes for these animals..

Having said that. I'd still donate for this cause...

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

Not to say this isn't bad, but aren't there people out there that need help too? I would start there before I moved onto animals.

Disagree. Yes, there are people who need help, but on many levels people can help themselves. Animals cannot.

[MooseDog]

It isn't a question of either/or. There are may people who can't help themselves either, due to mental illness.

If you want to help animals, help animals

If you want to help people, then help people.

If you want to help both, then help both.

Stop arguing about it and get cracking...

[honus94566]

Having lived in Eastern Europe for years, I can tell you... these stray dogs are everywhere, and don't exactly have a high quality of life. I don't think controlling the street population of dogs is a bad thing. We do the same thing here in the USA (strays are brought to the humane society etc, and many of those that aren't adopted are euthanized).

That being said, if they are shooting them with poison darts that make them suffer for a while, that's messed up.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by honus94566

Having lived in Eastern Europe for years, I can tell you... these stray dogs are everywhere, and don't exactly have a high quality of life. I don't think controlling the street population of dogs is a bad thing. We do the same thing here in the USA (strays are brought to the humane society etc, and many of those that aren't adopted are euthanized).

That being said, if they are shooting them with poison darts that make them suffer for a while, that's messed up.

+1

I have long since soured on the Olympics, due mainly to the crooked governing federations that rule over them. This is just another reason for me to shun them.

[Section103]

I am proud to say that I have never questioned anyone's good deeds in my life. There's just no need to do so. There's more than enough to go around.

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

It isn't a question of either/or. There are may people who can't help themselves either, due to mental illness.

If you want to help animals, help animals

If you want to help people, then help people.

If you want to help both, then help both.

Stop arguing about it and get cracking...

+1

Stop arguing and get cracking!

jeff

[Leon]

Originally Posted by kcohen

Disagree. Yes, there are people who need help, but on many levels people can help themselves. Animals cannot.

+ 1 billion

Thanks for this thread Bill.

[johnmh71]

Originally Posted by kcohen

Disagree. Yes, there are people who need help, but on many levels people can help themselves. Animals cannot.

Can children help themselves Ken? Particularly ill ones?

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's a ridiculous distinction. If people want to donate to animal rights organizations that's fine, people should give as they want, but to justify it by smugly suggesting the millions of needy people in the world can help themselves makes no sense at all.

[honus94566]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's a ridiculous distinction. If people want to donate to animal rights organizations that's fine, people should give as they want, but to justify it by smugly suggesting the millions of needy people in the world can help themselves makes no sense at all.

+1

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's a ridiculous distinction. If people want to donate to animal rights organizations that's fine, people should give as they want, but to justify it by smugly suggesting the millions of needy people in the world can help themselves makes no sense at all.

You can twist and turn it all you want but will 100% lose this argument. Not even close.

Of course you can make statements about all of the poverty and it's not their fault blah blah blah......but the dogs didn't do anything to deserve their fate. And no, some kids and adults can't fend for themselves, but the dogs are just different. Say what you want to and the more you say the deeper you will dig, only in my opinion.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I never said it wasn't a good cause, Leon. If that's what moves you, that's fine by me. Where I get offended is where someone says the dogs are MORE deserving of charity than suffering people.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I never said it wasn't a good cause, Leon. If that's what moves you, that's fine by me. Where I get offended is where someone says the dogs are MORE deserving of charity than suffering people.

They are BOTH deserving and I do my part to help the homeless every single week and have for almost 15 yrs.

That being said, and I know this is crazy, but I get at least (and probably more) sad seeing dogs that are abused as I do people. Dogs are unconditional best friends, as my rescued stray is literally sleeping on my arm right now.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I never said it wasn't a good cause, Leon. If that's what moves you, that's fine by me. Where I get offended is where someone says the dogs are MORE deserving of charity than suffering people.

Who said THAT on this thread?

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

Can children help themselves Ken? Particularly ill ones?

Are there not organizations that are already set up for children?? Not sure what your point is. There are organizations for EVERYBODY. The argument was against other people saying "shouldn't that money go to people who are needy?".......you know the people who stand on the corners begging for money and then when you don't roll down your window they curse you out and flip off and tell you that their wife is bleeding between her legs and they can't afford tampons for her.....yep those. They have so much creatively to come up with scams and schemes to get your hand out, that they should be putting that creativity to better use with a job.

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

Not to say this isn't bad, but aren't there people out there that need help too? I would start there before I moved onto animals.

I get what you're saying, but the flaw in that argument is (for the most part) people have the ability to help themselves if they try......dogs can't help themselves.....ever.