Action Against Poisoning

Our Wish for 2008

We wish that 2008 will be a year where peace, kindness, compassion, understanding and love be extended to all living beings on this planet we call our home. In this, we include the animals who are most often forgotten. They are our brothers and sisters, and share this Earth with us, and should be afforded the same rights, privileges, dignity and respect that we afford our own kind. Let animals be recognised as sentient beings.

Animals are just as much nationals of any given country as ourselves. They thus deserve protection by the governing bodies of all towns, cities and countries. When laws are drawn up, sadly, animals and their welfare are often neglected. It is our hope that governments and international organisations such as the United Nations, be made aware of the extent of animal suffering, and that they proactively take steps to do something about it and to bring about an end to all animal suffering. For too long, we humans have had centre stage, and have left the animals out in the wings. Let us now bring animals onto that stage and share it with them, amicably and respectfully.

May at least 10% more people go vegetarian, if not vegan. If we consider that in the UK alone, One Billion land animals are killed per year for food, what about the rest of the world? How many more billions of animals all over the world are factory farmed, and then have their lives stolen from them prematurely? These animals also have a desire to keep their lives. If at least 10% more people become vegetarian or vegan in 2008, can you imagine the number of animals’ lives we will have saved? Not to mention the reduction of the greenhouse gasses that are responsible for the climate change that we are experiencing. It is a known fact that a person who eats meat, and does not drive a car is responsible for more greenhouse gas production than a vegan who drives a car every day! Let’s also try and save our planet.

Thus, we will also be helping to save species from extinction. Think of the polar bears, penguins and other birds and other land animals threatened and endangered by global warming. Do we want our grandchildren to see pictures of animals only and not the animals themselves? It is of paramount importance that we save our wildlife and maintain a balance on this planet. Stop over-fishing our oceans and leave some fish for the animals who need this source of food; seals, whales, dolphins, sharks, aquatic birds and others. It is their natural source of nourishment. We do not need fish; we can eat plants!!! Humans must take responsibility for their own selfish actions and should not blame the animals. Namibian seals have not threatened the fish populations in the southern oceans; man has by constantly taking from the ocean and never giving back. Those seals must be left alone in peace. They have done us no harm! We hope that the Namibian government will come to its senses and realise this in 2008!

We have raped and pillaged this Earth. We have incarcerated her inhabitants in zoos, for food, for entertainment (circuses and bullfights), for clothing (furs and skins), to be our companions (pets), and in the name of science (vivisection). We have done untold damage to the wildlife of this planet, plunging some species already into extinction. We have destroyed the rainforests; poisoned the waters, air and the land; poisoned ourselves and left our Earth, our Mother Planet, groaning in agony. We have come and taken without giving back.

It is high time that we recognise that we are not gods, but mere mortals. May 2008 be the year when we turn 180° from our selfish ways and give back to this planet what she so unselfishly gives us. Let us honour the Creator of our world. Let us save Earth and her inhabitants; particularly those who cannot speak in human tongues; the animals. Let us protect them, respect them and fight for them. They cannot do it for themselves.


Colleen McDuling behaviourist -
Written for “Action Against Poisoning”