In a society that struggles for basic survival, spiritual awareness and deeper thoughts about other forms of life have little space to enter the daily routine. I have been working in San Pedro as a vet 2016-2018 and I have seen amazing love and human/animal bonds Belizeans can have. In spite of their financial situation or education level. However, the poverty and social structure of a society allows for these horrific cases, and rest assured people in the country where animals are treated this way, suffer just the same. Education is key, but also, a fight against corruption and a lot of patience. The current pandemic will push developing countries to the very limits, and likely slow down the changes we want to see. Just have patience with everyone, and try to find some peace in knowing that animals that arrive to the clinic's doors in severe distress and advanced stages of illness, can be our teachers, our advocates for the right changes. Try and see that their deaths were not in vain if their suffering can be a teacher to look more closely at a society that suffers in silence.
...the above was my initial response to a post on social media, from a humane society which was showing extremely sensitive and triggering images of some of their local animals they have encountered recently...and the reply to my comment went something like this;
...' you are entitled to your opinion but respectfully, I think you are continuing with the societal excuses.' ... 'These are CHOICES that people make, and it’s time to stop excusing these choices.' -and whilst I agree with this to a certain extent, I would like to UNDERLINE AND PRINT IN BOLD THAT ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A SIGN OF MENTAL ILLNESS.
And like any other disease, it can't be cured by yelling at the patient. Conditions that favor the development of any disease, mental and physical, definitely thrive in societies that lack social support, local governance and responsibility towards the safety and well being of others. I would suggest the clinical staff focuses on clinical and rehabilitation work for the animals, and perhaps speak to local teachers about their responsibility of education on this topic, social care workers that have experience working with children and local dog trainers/training enthusiasts to show the kids how strong the human/animal bond can be and how much the animals are like us.
Tell them stories about a golden retriver that adopted ducklings without a mom, or a pig momma feeding a kitten with her milk...people's mindsets cant be 'changed' unless a common ground is found and communication touches something within them. Finding a relatable common ground might move things towards better, happier days. Organising dog training demonstrations, workshops, providing interesting inter special stories...small facebook/instagram stories of 'who knows the best trick', 'which pet is the funniest', 'what makes my kitten/chickens/dogs happy' etc....might motivate kids to look at different ways of expressing themselves in relation to animals.
Look for examples of people who were successful in creating these changes, reach out and apply their approach. Often times people have not even explored what they carry within their 'hearts', so how can we expect of them to recognize the depths of another, be it a person, an animal or the environment.
Please don't blame and shame.
If you know better, do better, and lead with compassion, good long term strategy and personal example.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS