Equality between all beings

INSÄNDARE Why do bad things happen to good animals? I have come to the realisation that the matter of animals and their well-being have been in the shadow for far too long. It is time to speak up for the sake of all animals that exist in our world and to highlight the importance of their well-being. It is time to make the matter of animal rights prioritised.

The way we humans treat animals shows a severe lack of compassion and understanding to our fellow co-habitants. However, there are humans, a minority of us, that actually treat animals the way they want to be treated themselves - with respect and kindness. This minority is also a sign that the good does exist in humans – we all just have to find it within ourselves. Change is scary, which is often the reason why many choose to ignore certain situations due to the unwillingness to face the consequences. It is a huge step to take, but we must make the world realise that animals belong in the same group as we humans and that they have every right to be treated as equals.

What gives me hope for the future is organisations, individuals, and shelters who each day try to make the world a better place for the animals. One of these is called Protección de Animales Domesticos “PAD”– an animal shelter that is situated in Mijas Costa. PAD helps both cats and dogs to find what they deserve - new homes with kind owners. It is people like these who work at PAD that the world needs more of – compassionate beings doing their outmost to create better lives for the animals. When someone wants to adopt an animal from the shelter a so called ‘house-call’ will be scheduled in order to see that the future home environment is suitable for the new family member.

If one does not want to adopt one can still contribute to create change for the better by becoming a volunteer, be part of fundraising events or donating via their website. For further information and details about the cats and dogs that are currently residing at the shelter see their website: http://www.padcatsanddogs.org or call them at: 952 46 92 54 (Dog shelter) or 952 46 80 54 (Cat shelter).

Animals deserve to live in a world where they are being prioritised and not neglected and forgotten about. In 2003, Ken Jones came out with “The New Social Face of Buddhism: A call to Action” which, amongst other things, highlighted certain aspects within Buddhism where the importance of morality, compassion and equality between all beings were emphasised. An improved world can become reality if we were to allow ourselves to become inspired by certain values within Buddhism. Buddhism provides with hope that an improved world can become reality where animals are treated as equals.

All animals are kind beings that live in a very cruel world – they do what has to be done in order to survive, but other than that they try to live in peace with us humans, which is why we should consider ourselves honoured and grateful that animals have chosen to co-exist with us. It is sad that our world does not promote kindness to a larger extent– because if that would have been the case, the life situation of animals would have been improved. We must realise that it is time to speak up, for the sake of the animals. Then we can finally start the progress towards a brighter, kinder future - where animals will feel safe and appreciated.

Beatrice Ask