IN primitive societies, animals of any kind were regarded by human beings as enemies that must be killed or must be made to supplement the food supply. The earliest religious texts all have references of animals being eaten or sacrificed and even when Pastoral Cultures developed and gradually replaced “Man the Hunter”, the sheep, goats, cows and camels and even cats and dogs were domesticated to be used as food.

It was only when the East Asian religions and philosophies developed the understanding that all life was one and an animal’s life and human life were the same that animals came to be treated in a kindly way. Among the most important of these ancient religions was Buddhism. In Buddhism, the actual physical relationship of Man and animals, and indeed all living beings, was recognised. Vegetarianism came to be promoted as an ideal and in the kingdoms of various Buddhist rulers, hospitals for sick birds and other animals were common.

In the West, the concern for animals is a comparatively recent development and this was especially so in the 19th century when having pets, especially dogs, became common. Western Man developed the science of Ecology where the interdependence of all life was recognised and it was recognised that if an animal species were diminished or became extinct, human life would be negatively affected.

Putting aside all the theories of Ecology and the Balance of Nature, it is now widely recognised that caring for animals and protecting them is a great civilising force. When animals are beaten, mistreated or maimed, an insensitivity to suffering develops and it becomes a norm for weaker human beings, especially women and children to be abused and mistreated. When children are encouraged to keep pets, they learn how to take care of animals and to have an insight into how all living things are to be treated. Such experiences help children, when they grow into adults, to be more caring for old, sick or neglected persons.

Today, there are regular reports of women being mistreated and even killed in domestic abuse incidents or children being abandoned or no care given to them. The perpetrators of such crimes and cruelties are believed never to have kept pets and learnt to have respected and loved other living beings.

Guyana has had a long history of slavery and indentureship where harsh punishments and cruelties were institutionalised and people were socialised within that semi-barbarous culture. It is therefore not surprising that even after slavery and indentureship were abolished from Guyanese society, violence to each other still continued. Most of all, little concern was shown to animals. Cartmen who owned horses, donkeys and mules and used them as draught animals sadistically beat them with thick ropes; dogs, cats and other smaller domestic animals were fed on table scraps and often went hungry. If such animals fell sick, no veterinary help was given to them.

In the early 20th century, some British people who were resident in the colony extended the culture of care and concern for animals which existed in England, and a branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was established and laws against cruelties to animals were legislated. Soon, prosecutions were brought against those who mistreated their draught animals as well as those who mistreated their dogs, cats and other domestic animals. This deterrent of the Law together with the gradual change in cultural attitudes, especially among the middle classes, helped to bring Guyana into the modern world in respect to the more humane treatment of animals.

The RSPCA, later the GSPCA (Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), offered free veterinary services to animal lovers with pets, provided a home for unwanted or abandoned animals and offered facilities for adoption. For decades the GSPCA has been doing this good work but their activities have been curtailed by lack of funds and the slowing up of the stream of devoted volunteers.

To supplement the GSPCA’s work, several private persons, at much sacrifice of their time and resources have been offering free of charge, services of rescuing animals. providing basic veterinary services and even arranging for adoptions. Among the most prominent and long-serving of such persons is Ms Syeda Manbodh whose name and work has become legendary,
It was therefore welcome and refreshing news which came out at the beginning of April of the launch of a new organisation, “Paws for a Cause” which is focused on rescuing abandoned or abused animals, arranging veterinary assistance, doing educational work in the schools, providing temporary homes and arranging adoptions. The founders and main driving force behind the new organisation are three charming young ladies – Steffi DeNobrega, Marcia Tucker and Shari Da Silva. They need the support of volunteers and donations to keep their good work going and expanding. This column will carry a fuller report on “Paws for a Cause”.