Highlights Of #FreedomForAll Telethon: An Initiative To Help Reduce Animal Exploitation And Suffering In India
The India Animal Fund Freedom For All campaign envisions a world free of animal harm and exploitation which prioritises ending the suffering of all sentient beings independent of species
The health of the planet, human health and animal well-being are closely connected. What is good for the animals is also good for us: Parag Agarwal, Co-Founder, India Animal Fund
Firstly, the scale and intensity of suffering of the animals is immense and is not visible to us. One is the scale which is in millions and billions, but more shocking is the intensity of suffering at an individual animal's level. For example, an egg-laying hen spends her entire life in a battery cage that is in the size of an A4 paper and in the entire life, she cannot spread her wings. Illegal breeding of exotic dogs is done using rape stands where dogs are forced to mate. The intensity of suffering is huge.
Secondly, it is not just about the animals. The health of the planet, human health and animal well-being are closely connected. It is becoming increasing clear that bio-diversity, sustaining the flora & fauna, climate change etc are all linked - so what is good for the animals is also good for us.
Thirdly, this is a problem that can be solved. You and me and the people who are watching the show do not get up in the morning thinking we will exploit an animal today. But it still happens - due to the choices we make, due to the food I eat, or when I buy an exotic breed of dog and so on. It has become part of the system, it has become acceptable. And this needs to change and can change. Once people become aware of the suffering of animals that lies behind the products and services they are consuming, and the fact that alternatives are available, things will change.
We cage animals, we test on animals, we hunt animals, we kill animals.
The scale and intensity of animal suffering is far greater than any other form of suffering.
And yet it is a suffering that goes unnoticed by most of us.
Animals globally are in dire need of aid & support from the cruelty that they endure each day. The statistics are appalling & the resolve is barely skimming the surface.
Millions of animals suffer inhuman treatment as a result of illegal trade and poaching, reckless breeding, farm agriculture and lab experiments. The laws that protect animals are archaic, there is poor compliance, and existing facilities and infrastructure at animal shelters are below par, and too few in number.
Despite this animal harm & exploitation on a massive scale, financial support for animal welfare causes is less than 1% of the amount that comes in for human causes.
Animal welfare should concern us all. Human health issues, environmental degradation, global warming and challenges of animal well-being are all interconnected. There is an imminent need to be aware of and to adopt an one health approach. For one to be healthy, the planet and all living beings on it need to be healthy.
The India Animal Fund Freedom For All campaign envisions a world free of animal harm and exploitation which prioritizes ending the suffering of all sentient beings independent of species.
The campaign aims to provide a platform for effective giving that produces transparent, independent, evidence-based and actionable recommendations of interventions/ organizations to demonstrably reduce animal suffering in India.
It’s now time to fight for the dignity of animal life. It’s now time to treat all sentient beings with compassion.
Join hands with the India Animal Fund Freedom For All campaign to help animals. They only have us for support.
*Disclaimer: NDTV is the broadcast partner for a Sponsored Campaign by India Animal Fund - Freedom For All. NDTV has no role to play in the funds collected by India Animal Fund. NDTV will not be liable for any claim(s) made by any person or entity, including any statutory or governmental authority, arising out of the collection or utilization of the funds.