Animal Rights

[Holly3278]

Hi everyone. What rights should animals have according to the Catholic Church? I think they at least deserve the right to be happy, healthy, well fed, well watered, and that they have the right to proper shelter. What is your opinion? Should we support organizations such as PETA or is PETA too extreme? What about the ASPCA?

 

[Trishie]

God entrusted the world and all it contains to our care after ceartion…so we do owe animals proper care.

I don’t know the organization you ask about not being American, although we have RSPCA, an excelent organization, which is probably similar to your organization…but as you probaby have, I’ve tended to care for any animal or bird I come across that needs care…eg when winds blow baby birds from trees. Native creatures are treated free in Australian veterinary clinics, so there is always food and medicine provided ( this doesn’t disadvantage people as we have free medical care in public hospitals, except for people who prefer to pay for private or health benefits care.)

When I was in the U.S. in 2001, in the week following September 11, when like most people, I was wiping away tears, I was on my way to Mass when I had the privilege of finding an injured baby jack-rabbit in the gutter. I took her home and bathed her, and she sighed afterwards then slept. I fed her and she grew…and her wounds healed. So she was my American rescue…I think most of us instinctively do care for and protect animals.

God bless Holly

 

[Holly3278]

God entrusted the world and all it contains to our care after ceartion…so we do owe animals proper care.

I don’t know the organization you ask about not being American, although we have RSPCA, an excelent organization, which is probably similar to your organization…but as you probaby have, I’ve tended to care for any animal or bird I come across that needs care…eg when winds blow baby birds from trees. Native creatures are treated free in Australian veterinary clinics, so there is always food and medicine provided ( this doesn’t disadvantage people as we have free medical care in public hospitals, except for people who prefer to pay for private or health benefits care.)

When I was in the U.S. in 2001, in the week following September 11, when like most people, I was wiping away tears, I was on my way to Mass when I had the privilege of finding an injured baby jack-rabbit in the gutter. I took her home and bathed her, and she sighed afterwards then slept. I fed her and she grew…and her wounds healed. So she was my American rescue…I think most of us instinctively do care for and protect animals.

God bless Holly

Awwww, that is so touching that you care for animals the way that you do. I wish that all people were like that. Unfortunately, some people prefer to not only neglect animals but to abuse them as well.

 

[Fidelia]

**CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH **

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by the concern for the quality of life of his neighbour, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.
2416 Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

2456 The dominion granted by the Creator over the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be separated from respect for moral obligations, including those toward generations to come.

2457 Animals are entrusted to man’s stewardship; he must show them kindness. They may be used to serve the just satisfaction of man’s needs.

 

[buffalo]

Your discretionary dollars could help humans.

 

[Holly3278]

Your discretionary dollars could help humans.

Nobody ever said that I was donating to any animal rights organizations. I can barely afford to feed myself so I don’t know how anyone could expect me to be donating to charity unless it’s a few cents.

 

[That_one_guy]

Yay!

Organizations like PETA are a good start.There are extremists everywhere.I understand that PETAs philosophy doesn’t go hand in hand with the precepts of the Catholic Church.But, they do make people aware of certain issues.
Some people would call me an extremist!Of course, I don’t think I am.
The ASPCA should be supported,too.
I am actually very excited about this sudden attention to animals.
I do not think that animals should be given the right to vote.That’s just plain absurd!And I don’t think that animals are people,too.But, they are a part of Gods creation.And we need to act like the stewards we have been called to be!

 

[Holly3278]

Yay!

Organizations like PETA are a good start.There are extremists everywhere.Some people would call me an extremist!Of course, I don’t think I am.
The ASPCA should be supported,too.
I am actually very excited about this sudden attention to animals.
I do not think that animals should be given the right to vote.That’s just plain absurd!And I don’t think that animals are people,too.But, they are a part of Gods creation.And we need to act like the stewards we have been called to be!

So you don’t think that animal rights groups like PETA are too extreme?

 

[1ke]

Hi everyone. What rights should animals have according to the Catholic Church?

Animals have no rights, nor should they. Not if you mean the type of rights humans have.

Animals should be protected from abuse, torture, and neglect in the case of captive animals.

I think they at least deserve the right to be happy,

Animals do not have souls. They do not have emotions such as “happiness.”

healthy, well fed, well watered, and that they have the right to proper shelter.

If they are captive animals, or those who have been raised as pets and incapable of fending for themselves in the wild, then yes they should be treated humanely or put to sleep. They should not be left to starve if they cannot catch food on their own.

Animals should never be chosen over people who are not healthy, well fed, well watered, and have no proper shelter. We should not spend resources on animals that should be spent on people.

What is your opinion? Should we support organizations such as PETA or is PETA too extreme?

PETA proposes that animals have the same-- or more in the case of unborn babies-- rights than humans. They also promote and engage in illegal activities such as defacing and destroying property.

No, we cannot support such an organization.

What about the ASPCA?

Animal shelters do good work. Support your *local *shelter if you feel the need to help animals. The ASPCA is not the same entity as your local shelters.

But, don’t forget shelters and food pantries for people.

 

[buffalo]

Yay!

Organizations like PETA are a good start.There are extremists everywhere.Some people would call me an extremist!Of course, I don’t think I am.
The ASPCA should be supported,too.
I am actually very excited about this sudden attention to animals.
I do not think that animals should be given the right to vote.That’s just plain absurd!And I don’t think that animals are people,too.But, they are a part of Gods creation.And we need to act like the stewards we have been called to be!

Then treat then kindly. Americans spend billions on pet care and veterinarian care each year. Imagine how many Catholic Schools could be funded, hospitals, adoptions etc…

I believe humans should be priorities.

You can sponsor a child through (Who is CFCA? We help families in developing countries put food on the table and send their children
to school so that, together, we can end the cycle of poverty) .CFCA for 30.00 per month. How many do this? How many of us Catholics have pets that we spend over 30.00 for? It’s about choices.

 

[redhen]

You can sponsor a child through cfcausa.org We help families in developing countries put food on the table and send their children to school so that, together, we can end the cycle of poverty.

Just wanted to point out that a lot of the poverty and starvation in developing countries is due to the corrupt governments in those countries. These corrupt regimes rely on aid from the West, so they can spend $ millions on military weapons to prop up their regimes, and line their own pockets.

As one example of how far these tyrants will go to secure this foreign aid, just look at Kim Jong-il of North Korea. A while ago he actually threatened war against Japan if they stopped sending him food aid. How’s that for balls?

taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/12/16/2003215326

Unfortunately a lot of that foreign food aid in North Korea, like a lot of of other 3rd world countries, doesn’t even reach it’s starving citizens. Instead it goes to feed the army, or is sold openly in the markets. dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk03200&num=186

 

[thistle]

As the Church teaches and other posters have pointed out we should not cause animals unnecessary suffering. However, humans take priority.
I wish all animal rights groups and animal conservationists would put as much passion, time and energy into saving aborted children and the starving of the world.

 

[That_one_guy]

I wish all animal rights groups and animal conservationists would put as much passion, time and energy into saving aborted children and the starving of the world.

I think that this statement is slightly slanted.While a lot of people DO devote more time to animals than abortion and starvation.I think that MOST of them also devote time and money to help with these problems.In my mind if you are pro-life, then the two go hand in hand.

 

[cathybramble]

Your discretionary dollars could help humans.

do you feel that it’s wrong to have pets and use money to feed them rather than feed people?

 

[Et_Cetera]

In short, don’t buy from KFC. They treat the animals poorly, and the food is disgusting rubbish that should not enter a human body.

 

[That_one_guy]

In short, don’t buy from KFC. They treat the animals poorly, and the food is disgusting rubbish that should not enter a human body.

Here!Here!:clapping:

 

[cathybramble]

Hi everyone. What rights should animals have according to the Catholic Church? I think they at least deserve the right to be happy, healthy, well fed, well watered, and that they have the right to proper shelter. What is your opinion? Should we support organizations such as PETA or is PETA too extreme? What about the ASPCA?

ok. LOL i sure do have some opinion about this, sorry for the length of the post but here it is

i can only speak for myself about groups like PETA… to me, they are like that whacky relative in the family that everyone tolerates and gives some praise to for some of the good things they do.

most people who are aware of the plight of factory farmed animals owe that knowledge to the PETA’s campaigns. although i do NOT financially support their work (because i don’t agree with many of their philosophies)… i can’t help but feel a little indebted to them for that.

PETA has its own agendas and i have mine. they have some lobbying clout to make things a little better for animals - i say let them do it. same with the HSUS. i don’t agree that everyone needs to go vegan (i am, but then i’m a boohoo soft-hearted girlie ), but the legislation these groups are putting forward are doing good things - sorry if there are any mass production egg farmers here, but i thought CA’s prop 2 was a necessary move. most family egg farmers raising these hens in an ethical manner will be helped by this, and i’m ALL FOR bringing back family farms. factory farming is a public health and ecological nightmare, MANY groups that are not pro-veg are fighting to put an end to them.

as for animal “rights…” i highly recommend reading the book dominion by matthew scully (never mind that he was writing speeches for sarah palin lately ). i like how he puts it - animal “rights” is a matter of semantics. even according to the CCC, mankind OWES (i.e., has an obligation, a responsibility, needs to do)… kindness to animals. the CCC doesn’t say “if you think the animal is cute and fuzzy and companionable, AND you don’t plan to eat it, AND you feel like it… then you should sorta be nice to them.” no, the language is very clear on this point. so… if i OWE kindness to animals, then they are ENTITLED to receive it from me.

animal “rights” is not about legal rights other than protection from cruel practices. unforunately, for farmed animals, the definition of “cruel” is not the same as the one we use for our dogs and cats - which just shows how capricious humans really are. if someone treated a dog or a cat in the usual and customary manner that pigs were treated, they would go to jail. and yet entire industries hide behind their own definitions of cruelty for their own greed. this is wrong.

most people would be appalled to see footage of china’s st. bernard factory farming (oh no they di’int… oh yes they do) but feel no empathy at all for what we do to our own food animals. much as i love dogs, they are no more worthy of compassion than any other sentient being.

except cockroaches, wasps, and yellowjackets. they are of the devil. :bigyikes: :frighten:

 

[Et_Cetera]

I can’t believe I’m eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch right now; this stuff goes against my healthy eating, but I really had a craving for something sweet. Anyhow, nice lean meats from a reputable source are great for the body and an essential form of protein. You don’t have to shun meat in order to favor proper animal treatment.

 

[sbriton]

Yay!

Organizations like PETA are a good start.There are extremists everywhere.I understand that PETAs philosophy doesn’t go hand in hand with the precepts of the Catholic Church.But, they do make people aware of certain issues.
Some people would call me an extremist!Of course, I don’t think I am.
The ASPCA should be supported,too.
I am actually very excited about this sudden attention to animals.
I do not think that animals should be given the right to vote.That’s just plain absurd!And I don’t think that animals are people,too.But, they are a part of Gods creation.And we need to act like the stewards we have been called to be!

You are correct in that we are stewards of God’s creation, including animals. But organizations like PETA want to elevate animals to a level almost equal to humans. They aggressively lobby the world people to not use animals for some foods we eat, for clothing, for medical research and such.

From their website:
PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other “pests,” and the abuse of backyard dogs.

What I ask of PETA supporters is this: if we dont’ have factory farms, are you willing to hunt, kill, clean and prepare your own meat? As for “cruel killing” of other animals, should we, as stewards of the earth, allow a certain type of animal to overrun human population areas (deer, rats, etc.), to destroy their crops intended for food (deer, boar, rabbits, etc), to endanger air transportation (bird flocks at airports), destroy fragile wetland areas vital for the survival of many other species (nutreas in Texas is a good example)?

I totally agree with not abusing animals for sport, entertainment or any other non-useful purpose. But the plain and simple fact is, they are subordinate to humans and, if unchecked, could endanger human life through uncontrolled growth and infestation of farms, water sources, and other places that I’m sure many of us don’t want to see them. So using them for food, clothing and reducing their numbers in areas where they are a problem for humans is Good Stewardship. Making a species extinct is not. Abusing animals is not.

FWIW, I’m a nature freak. I grew up with animals of all types as household pets. All of my dogs have come from shelters and pounds. I’ve enjoyed animals while backpacking/camping throughout the U.S. and even overseas. They are a beautiful creation to be enjoyed…in many different ways. But groups like PETA would have us enjoy them only one way; alive and free to live as they please with uncontrolled growth. Good for the animal, bad for man.

Merry Christmas!!

Simon

 

[Eucharisted]

Hi everyone. What rights should animals have according to the Catholic Church? I think they at least deserve the right to be happy, healthy, well fed, well watered, and that they have the right to proper shelter. What is your opinion? Should we support organizations such as PETA or is PETA too extreme? What about the ASPCA?

PETA is an evil organization. Even furries hate PETA.