Why have animal meat on fundraiser menu?

Letters to the Editor - Niagara This Week - February 22, 2008

I recently learned that the Welland and District Humane Society is holding a dinner and dance called "For The Love Of Animals" to raise funds to help renovate their cat facility.

While I certainly commend the organization for the important work they do to help many animals in the community, considering the role of the humane society and their work to protect and care for animals I was disappointed to learn that there will be animals on the dinner menu for the event.

The centre's website states: "We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves." Webster's dictionary defines the word humane as: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals.

Why is it that the humane society's compassion, sympathy and consideration only extends to those animals we call pets? Why aren't they speaking for the animals who are raised on factory farms and are killed by the billions to become food?

Isn't it time that we all stop and think about the double standard we live with every day?

We love our companion animals, we love to teach our children about animals and we write countless books and movies about animals, but we completely detach ourselves when we pick up a fork.

I had occasion to attend another fundraising event in Welland in 2007, the "Party For The Paws" organized by Niagara Action For Animals.

On the buffet table, there was a sign that stated "Out of respect for all animals, no animals or animal by-products were used to prepare this meal." While it's likely that not many attending the event were vegetarian, I know that the food was enjoyed by all.

Perhaps the Welland and District Humane Society - and other organizations - will take this into consideration for future events and become a better example of what it truly means to be "humane."

Kim Ansell
St. Catharines