THE Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) jointly with The Humane Society International (HSI) held their annual global educational and training conference from April 6 – 9 on animal care and protection. We attended as animal advocates.

The four days of comprehensive and interactive workshops consisted of emergency service professionals, responders, veterinarians, shelter organisations, field and medical workforce for rural communities in poor countries and slid presentations narrated by experienced and qualified personnel of various animal associations.

The HSUS slogan: “Celebrating animals/confronting cruelty. We strive to foster respect and compassion for animals and to prevent their suffering; to create a more humane world by educating the public about animal issues, by pushing for the passage of laws to protect animals. We celebrate the human-animal bond and all of the richness that animals bring to our lives. They are unable to speak and feel pain the same way as you”.

The enormous global issues on animal welfare and preservation provided a deeper understanding of the constant tasks and challenges that confront the HSUS and HSI. A brief overview is as follows for some topics relevant to Guyana’s animals and the manner of mistreatment from a sector of a culture.

The HSUS, condemn the sadistic practices from people, in some countries that profit off the underground dog fighting rings. Dogs, usually pit bulls, are bred and trained to fight each other to the death even after serious wounds they are allowed to continue ,all for the amusement of spectators in a bid to win the highest wage. A bloody and cruel sport will leave many abandoned or mercilessly killed by gunshot. This has been outlawed in the USA and Canada as inhuman and a crime against dogs.

Dog fighting not only hurts animals but also endangers a community’s safety, illegal drugs and firearms are commonly found at the scene of animal fighting events. Young children brought to events are de-sensitised to violence and taught that cruelty is “acceptable”.

The HSUS and HSI world campaign on the benefits to society and the beautification of developing countries to boost tourism, is to spay and neuter your pets to reduce unwanted litters being dumped onto the streets. Tourists view the people and Government of a country negatively, to see many street roaming animals neglected and abandoned. Spaying is an operation involving the complete removal of both ovaries and the uterus of the female animal. Neuter (castration) is an operation involving the surgical removal of both testicles of a male animal. If this is practiced, it will control over population.

The HSUS sustainable programmes in rural communities of poor countries is to control the mistreatment of working animals, animal trafficking and poachers that mutilate animals for commerce. Free outreach field spay/neuter clinics are setup to handle the in-pouring of dogs for surgery. All the dogs are released back on the streets to live out their natural life with no chance of reproducing.

Establish a humane educational programme in developing countries, in the principles of justice, goodwill and humanity towards all life and the cultivation of the spirit of kindness to animals. The habit of using animals in attendance, in workshops will forge a bond that will touch people to think differently and could see a sharp decline in animal oppression. Some topics should include public awareness with the use of radio and TV, flyers, billboards and posters illustrating animals and people with words of compassion. A programme will help children develop empathy and understanding of fellow creatures and responsible animal guardianship.

Many sectors of cultures, need to understand that animals are sentient beings and are not our enemies. They should be allowed to live out their natural life, whether in their own habitat or free roaming without compromise of pain and suffering.
ZENOBIA WILLIAMS
JOYCE GOMES