EveryoneNeedsAHome, Inc.

An all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization dedicated to the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs in the Lafayette and Green Counties of Wisconsin

If you shop at Pick ‘N Save and aren’t already enrolled in the Pick ‘N Save Advantage® WE CARE donation program, please consider choosing ENAH as your charity of choice.  It’s easy to sign up at Pick ‘N Save’s Service Desk and the program is free.  Once signed up, every time you shop with your Advantage Saver’s Club card, Pick ‘N Save will donate a percentage back to ENAH.  Our organization number is 208875. 

Margaret A. Miller, 08/22/01

A few years ago, I missed the opportunity to speak up on animal welfare when I had a chance.  I guess I was afraid of angering people, afraid of making a scene.  What a coward I was!

What happened was this: I was at a picnic when a young boy came up to his mother and showed her a small toad he had found.  She asked him what he was going to do with it and he said, "I don't know, maybe I'll just kill it."  Some of the adults laughed indulgently.  I was horrified.  But I didn't speak up.  I'll never forget that I didn't speak up.  I followed the child when he walked away and paid him a dollar for the toad which I quickly hid where the child wouldn't find it again.  I made a short-term move to save the toad, but completely blew a chance at modifying long-term behavior.  I missed the bigger opportunity to tell that young boy (and the picnic participants) that animal cruelty is never justified.

I don't think that we can assume that young children are automatically kind to animals.  I don't think that they are "cruel", I just think they often need to be taught that all life is precious, that all animals should be treated with respect and that they should be allowed to keep their dignity.  This includes, but is obviously not limited to, toads.  Actually, a lot of adults need to be taught this lesson also.

I made a promise to myself after that day that I would never not speak up if such an opportunity arose again.  I plead with you that, if you get an opportunity to teach somebody about compassion, a chance to make someone think about their actions, please speak up.  Think long and hard about having the courage to speak up for those living beings whose own voices aren't being heard.  Of course, don't take chances on angering someone who might be unstable, and don't confront people who might hurt you.