Ethical Obligation of Humans to Non-human Animals

If you are questioning whether we should protect and care for animals, you have a problem. In many ways, animals are more caring, loyal, loving, and unconditionally kind than many humans. I have fostered, rescued, and saved several animals from the clutches of inhumane humans, and it is clear to me: it is indeed our obligation.

Our Ethical Duty

Yes, we are ethically obliged to protect and care for animals. The idea of a "survival of the fittest" or that "other animals do it so why shouldn't we" is a flawed attitude. By default, we often think of ourselves as somehow "superior" or better than other forms of life, but this superiority is a misconception.

When it comes to other animals, why shouldn't we do to them what they do to each other? Or why should we act in our own self-interest when they do? These questions overlook the fact that some "other animals" engage in behaviors like eating their young and forced intimacy. Yet, we like to think we're better than them. And we are, but in a sense that we choose to live in better harmony and understand the suffering of others.

Our Capacity to Understand and Help

We can extend this understanding to other life forms that suffer from our actions, such as the overconsumption and destruction of the environment. Many domesticated animals have traits that make them unable to survive in the wild, such as flat-faced dogs and cats, or breeds whose fur no longer sheds naturally. These conditions were caused by us, whether intentionally or accidentally, and we are responsible for caring for them.

Wild animals, on the other hand, should not bear the brunt of our actions unless it is to address human-caused extinctions. The bald eagle, once thought to be the very symbol of America, nearly went extinct, with only 417 breeding pairs left before they recovered. The Przewalski's horse, the last truly undomesticated horse, teeters on the brink of extinction. The Tasmanian Tiger, another human failure, is now but a memory, the last one dying in a zoo.

Our Stewardship of the Earth

Humans should be in service to the Earth, not consuming it. It is disheartening to see a money-grubbing population so focused on acquiring wealth that they ignore the Earth's needs. We should look after the planet and the beings that inhabit it, not tear it apart for our gain.

Conclusion

Our obligation to non-human animals is both ethical and practical. It is a choice we make to live in harmony with other life forms. By doing so, we minimize the suffering of all beings and ensure a better future for all. If we can understand and empathize with our fellow creatures, we can extend this understanding to care for both domesticated and wild animals, leading to a more compassionate and sustainable world.