DID you know that Mac Cosmetics, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate, Vaseline, Stayfree are all brands that test their products on animals? I came across this information on Keisha Beharry’s Instagram page; (@klei.gy). She is a Guyanese artist who also finds time to advocate on her social media about animal rights.

In a discussion I had with her, Keisha explained, “Animals in Guyana suffer, and have always suffered. For decades, we have cultivated negligence and disregard for animals and their welfare. Guyanese are desensitised to the idea of animals being capable feelings and sufferance. It is continuously and thoughtlessly passed onto children through cycles of seeing parents treat animals that way. Our people rarely realise that feeding your pets spoiled or turning food is equally as dangerous to them as it is to us.

Dogs can get parasites from food too; dogs can get belly pain and discomfort too. They just don’t have the voice to say it- to say anything. Many persons get animals as pets just to get them crass so that the animals will be more effective in guarding. I think this is counterproductive. When you care for, love and show affection to an animal, it is all the more protectiveness that animals hold for you.”

She continued by saying, “Animals are companions; they are creatures capable of love; they are intelligent and they deserve to be THOUGHT of as they SUFFER just as we do. We get colds, we get arthritis, we get fever, strokes, heart diseases and so do animals. We get ingrown nails, they get ingrown claws. We can vocalise and express our pain and discomfort; we can change and help ourselves. They cannot.”

By now, you all should be aware that I am from Berbice. There are donkeys and horses on carts all over the road, stray dogs and cats roaming the streets. There’s a norm for us in Guyana to see these animals around but if we are to visit developed countries, it is completely different. There are laws and policies to follow when it comes to animals and their rights. In fact, in 2018, there was a reform to the Animal Welfare Bill in Guyana. It addressed the well being of domestic animals, particularly with regards to their shelter, food supply and humane treatment, preparing Guyana to trade internationally and increase production.

The abuse of animals can be linked to the abuse of family members. In fact, studies have shown that persons of a violent nature abuse animals at home first before they think about abusing their children/partners/family members. Hence, 85 percent of families that struggle with domestic violence, also have the issue of animal abuse. Fur coats, the use of elephant tusks, the captivity of wildlife are all for human pleasure but at what cost? Is our aim to be the only species left on this planet? Many types of wildlife are endangered or even extinct because of the actions of our fellow human beings.

Many of us have come to the realisation that because animals are voiceless, there is no way they can have basic rights comparable to that of humans (food, shelter, no to abuse). Organisations such as Animal Welfare Activists of Guyana and Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals all help to make the Guyanese public aware that this is an actual issue that plagues our country. Guyana is known for its vast eco-systems, wildlife and rainforests. This helps to boost tourism and we gain foreign exchange.

However, we hype the dense areas of Guyana with these traits while there is animal abuse occurring across the country. And while many cultures of Guyana are dependent on animals for its survival, it is important that we recognise the effect it has on the animal population and species survival. Not a single creature on Earth has more or less rights to be here.

An article alone cannot desensitise your thoughts on this topic but perhaps, imagine yourself living in a world where your voice cannot be heard and your rights are contemplated upon based off intelligence and relevance. With that said, I’ll end off with a quote that we should always keep in mind, “Be kind to every kind, not just mankind.”