What Is Animal Abuse, And How Can You Stop It? - Faunalytics (2024)

Animal abuse can take many forms: it includes not only obvious forms of abuse such as killing or physically hurting animals, but also includes keeping wild animals in captivity. It’s possible to abuse animals through our actions, as well through our lack of action.

Cats and dogs linger in shelters and may be euthanized before ever finding homes; many species of wildlife face hunting pressure from humans, and are increasingly affected by climate change; most animals in the food system are kept in crowded, filthy conditions, and are killed after only a fraction of their natural lifespans. These are just a few examples of what animal abuse is. Below, you can find a selection of some of our most popular and informative resources to help you learn more.

With the wide range of problems facing animals, it’s easy to feel hopeless, or that there’s nothing you can do as an individual. Fortunately, there is actually a lot you can do to make a difference, on many different levels.

• For cats, dogs, and other companion animals, one of the most important things you can do is adopt from your local shelters. You can also get involved in a local Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program, or if one doesn’t exist, you can help start one!
• To help wild animals, first you need to educate yourself about the wildlife in your local area, and what issues they face. More and more groups are starting citizen science projects that involve local community members in the data gathering process. The best part is, you don’t need to be a scientist to get involved!
• For animals in farms, you can go vegetarian or vegan. If that seems daunting, start by trying Meatless Mondays, and build from there. Being veg doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Every meatless or animal-product free meal you eat helps animals.