We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding. ...One generation and out. We have no problems with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding...Wayne Pacelle - Former National Director of Fund for Animals.
I don’t use the word "pet." I think it’s speciesist language. I prefer "companion animal." For one thing, we would no longer allow breeding. People could not create different breeds. There would be no pet shops. If people had companion animals in their homes, those animals would have to be refugees from the animal shelters and the streets. You would have a protective relationship with them just as you would with an orphaned child. But as the surplus of cats and dogs (artificially engineered by centuries of forced breeding) declined, eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship – enjoyment at a distance -- Ingrid Newkirk, PETA's President, quoted in The Harper's Forum Book, Jack Hitt, ed., 1989, p.223.
So, while the quote from Newkirk is a bit old, it still gives me a chill as I sit here with four dogs and at present 2 cats. Oh and Oliver the cockatiel. Pacelle is now involved with the Humane Society of the United States. You should know that dollars you to his organization does not trickle to let's say The Humane Society of the Willamette in Salem, OR.
The HSUS is actively pursuing ways to curb animal farming, even at the smaller sustainable levels, so be careful when the ask for money if you think all they do is for the good of all animals.
You chicken littles have been telling us that the sky is falling (pets will be become extinct)for a few years now and nothing close to it is even happening. You sound like a bunch of fools.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I welcome all civil opinions.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, while I don't agree your name calling I do agree that it will be a cold day somewhere before pets go extinct.
There are extremists on both sides and I am trying to sort out how to stay in the middle and keep to my inner core.
The problem, I guess, is that the extremists are the one who have policymakers' ears. Here is hoping that those who truly have a brain get their voices heard.
Oh one more thing, there is nothing in my post that says pets will go extinct. The first two paragraphs, which are quotes, are the reason for my comments.
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