What's In Your Refrigerator?

There are many ways to improve the lives of the creatures. One way is through legislation. Before an act can be judged legal or illegal, it must become a law. The creation of new laws can be dry and boring. The process is never fast and there are times when the end product has changed so dramatically, we don't even recognize it anymore. Voicing your opinion is critical. Our State Legislators need to know what you want. How do you want them to vote? Granted, they may not vote the way you want, however, it is a process. Your silence isn't golden.

As a bill moves through the legislative process, you have the right (and responsibility) to share your opinion with your Representative and Senator. In voicing your opinion, be accurate and specific. Briefly state your reasons why the legislator should vote yea or nay. Personal derogatory remarks will not get the job accomplished. It will make your voice less credible. A legislative session doesn’t end until the gavel drops: sine die. (Sine die: without any future date being designated. Meeting adjourned sine die.)

Let’s go back to legal or illegal. Some actions can be immoral, irresponsible, disgusting, and down right nasty. However, is the action legal or illegal? That's the question in implementing laws.

For those concerned with animal welfare, watching a situation and feeling helpless is discouraging. Don’t throw up your hands and walk away. Don’t wish and hope someone else would take care of it - like law enforcement, animal control, humane agents. Law enforcement, animal control and humane agents need to operate within the guidelines of the law. Situations involving animals can be very delicate especially if they involve family, neighbors, co-workers. Matters might get worse before they get better. Sometimes, they don't get better. However, for each situation we cannot resolve, there are many that we can. In working through situations, try to keep an open mind. Issues and situations where we think animals are being abused and/or neglected can make our blood boil. Keep your cool. Loosing your temper sure won't help the animals. Do what you can as best you can. Allow enforcement to law enforcement.

Work is being done all the time to improve the laws and the lives of the creatures we care about. The Legislature is just one avenue. City and County ordinances and regulations are another. We voice our opinion by what we buy, what we spend our dollars on, what we eat. Money talks and sometimes will have a bigger voice than laws.

Business operates for a profit. When consumer demand drops, so do profits. Companies either adjust or their stock value goes down.

Just one recent proposal came from Tyson Foods to its pork producers. Following harsh criticism regarding the manner in which pigs are raised, Tyson sent animal welfare guidelines to its 3,000 independent hog suppliers. In reading the press release, it clearly states Tyson and Smithfield Foods will “ask” and “urge” its producers to change their pork raising practices. The key words here are “ask” and “urge“. The word “require” isn’t mentioned. Therefore, it is a choice on the part of the producers. Is the request truly a change for the better or just lip service to put a positive spin on this continuous inhumane practice. My vote - it’s just lip service.

Be responsible. Have your pets spayed or neutered.

"Shirley Taggart is an animal advocate. She is committed to helping animals and the people who own them."