April is the month to celebrate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
In the United States and around the world, people love their animals, and animals love their people. Animals and people have a special bond and gain many positive things from each other, like companionship, assistance, etc. Unfortunately, animal cruelty and abuse are still prevalent today in various forms. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month helps bring awareness to this fact and shows people what they might do about it.
April Is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Every April, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) marks the month as a time to bring awareness to the ongoing issue of animal cruelty. It’s a time to consider how you can help, whether you own a pet, don’t own a pet, or are thinking of getting a pet.
What Is Cruelty to Animals?
Although it is an unpleasant subject, animal cruelty ought to be defined. It is not possible to prevent something unless you have defined it, after all. Animal cruelty is intentional harm toward animals, such as deprivation, active harm, or killing. Meanwhile, animal abuse is generally more passive but equally destructive, most often in the form of hoarding and neglect.
History of Animal Cruelty Prevention
Animal cruelty prevention laws have formed over the last few centuries in multiple countries. In America, laws against animal cruelty were established as early as 1641 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s Body of Liberties.
In 1863, New York native Henry Bergh stopped a man in Russia from beating a horse. He went on to found the ASPCA in 1866.
While there are many wonderful things that have happened because of animal cruelty prevention laws and groups, many problems still persist, such as irresponsible breeding, torture, neglect, drugging, hoarding, use in lab experiments, etc.
At the same time, endeavors to rescue abused animals and prevent animal abuse still go strong.
Ways to Celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
How can you promote Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month? If you are considering adopting, research your options and avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills, which often produce unhealthy animals. Look into how to adopt from a shelter. See how you can volunteer to help out rescued animals locally by visiting, fostering, or supporting animal rescues financially.
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