Worrying so much about animals

[AllThatTwitters]

I have always been sentimental about animals but nowadays it really occupies my mind quite a lot, and it just upsets me so much that there is SO much animal suffering worldwide, and even so many pets that are badly treated. They are vulnerable babies and it has pretty much been proven now that a dog has the same emotional range as a toddler and that other animals can also feel emotion.
I have gotten to the stage that if I wake up during a rainy night I fret about all the horses/dogs etc left out in the rain, and Jesus don't even get me started on the heatwaves....
Does anyone relate? I pour love on my own pets and I donate to charities but it doesn't assuage the worry!

What do you mean?

It's wonderful that you care so much, I wish more people did.

However, it sounds like it is impacting your life. You need to do what you can and accept it is all you can do not make yourself ill worrying about what you cannot do.

Speak to a friend to help work out where you can have most impact then speak to a therapist to help you cope with the rest.

Yes, this is me. My 4 o’clock in the morning horror is live transport of livestock. It’s got to the stage where I cannot bear to be on the motorway. I donate, am almost vegan, have rescue chickens. But itt still doesn’t feel enough. I almost envy people who have the empathy waiver.

Or not!
Have you any idea how many billions of insects and animals die as a direct result of crops being planted?
If you are alive and eating anything then you are contributing to something else dying.
Being vegan only makes you feel superior it doesn't change anything

I'm the same op and had sleepless nights over animal testing after watching a horrible documentary. I found I had to focus on not only doing what I can to help but remembering all the lovely people I know who are amazing to animals and really care too.

I'm like this.
My dream holiday in Egypt was spoilt because I was upset about all the stray dogs and cats and skinny horses.
Whenever they mention forest fires on the news I always think of all the wildlife that has perished 😢

I'm the same. I love animals with a passion. I sometimes wonder if I'm a bit odd, because I feel indifferent to TV ads about children suffering yet I'll be close to tears if it's about animal cruelty (think RSPCA ads). My late mum was the same (sadly passed away nearly 12 years ago) and supported about 6 different animal charities. I support the Blue Cross with a monthly donation and try to donate to the PDSA and Cats' Protection when I can afford it.

I know what you mean. I'm not vegan but I do try to buy organic animal products where possible.

I would rather go without than buy eggs that have come from battery hens

Yes, I feel the same, always have done. The indifference, casual or deliberate cruelty, and lack of compassion for other sentient beings displayed by many people has seriously put me off much of humanity. But I always try to remember there are so many kind people who care and help, even in countries that are generally dreadful to animals.

@ALongHardWinter " I feel indifferent to TV ads about children suffering yet I'll be close to tears if it's about animal cruelty"

With all sincerity, have you considered therapy?

I am the same, @ALongHardWinter. The stuff about humans saddens me but doesn't get to my heart the way animal suffering does. I was going to mention this in my original post but I knew I would get 20 people telling me I need therapy (I would suggest that maybe those who would mistreat a living being are the ones who really need therapy, not those who get upset about it).

I actually think there are fairly rational reasons for this. We are bombarded with human suffering daily, on the news/ads/mumsnet etc! If we did not become a little desensitised to it, we couldn't function.

And yes, the ads. There was an RSPCA ad about 20 years ago that gave a human voice to neglected animals. A dog saying "I get scared when he comes home angry" etc. I still cry when I think of it.

I’ve found my people. I’m in my 50s and animal cruelty has haunted me my whole life. I can read something or see a photo and that’s it, I’ll think about it for years. I remember first reading about the Chinese moon bears 30 odd years ago and still think about it all the time. It’s ruined holidays - stray cats, dogs, skinny horses etc and there are certain places I will never go because of it. My husband doesn’t really get it - he can feel sad then put it to the back of his mind. I so wish I could do the same! I have to be really careful on Facebook etc and have banned any animal stuff. I do what I can, have rescue cats and donate to various charities but it seems futile in the big scheme of things. My mum and sister are the same. I saw the most awful photo on Facebook years ago, 3 days before a big Disney world holiday. I was inconsolable. I recall walking around Magic Kingdom a few days later getting flashbacks. I so wish people would think twice before posting stuff. I know it goes on but I don’t want to see photos - what good does that do? It will never change sadly.

My partner is the same, it doesn’t occupy his mind. Must be nice 😅. I guess it’s just the way we are built? (Or else in my case it’s because I was brought to see Watership Down twice in the 70s…). The feelings can be overwhelming though, so mind yourself @cranfielddancer

No need for an eye roll. I don’t know why meat eaters get so triggered, unless you think animals enjoy being slaughtered. It’s ok to eat meat and care about animals but you have to acknowledge slightly hypocritical…. But anyway.

There’s a lot of cruelty in the world and it will no doubt get worse.

@ALongHardWinter I am the same. Animals suffering upsets me far more than people. I think because animals are so innocent whereas people are to blame for most of our problems.

Are you a vegan OP?

Totally relate, I can't read any article where there's cruelty. I volunteer in an equine rescue I don't know how I do it. Some of the horses we get coming to us are in a horrible state and I just can't fathom how anyone could treat any animal so badly.

I'm glad it's not just me and there are others who feel the same, it does make me feel a little better.

No need for an eye roll. I don’t know why meat eaters get so triggered, unless you think animals enjoy being slaughtered.

Its the expected end for most animals living their normal in the wild lives. Everything from the fly in the spider web slowly being eaten, the worm swallowed whole, the birds eaten by your lively cat.
Animals haven’t developed hospitals, care homes or funerals. Their world is not same.

No. And I eat fish. And no, I do not believe that fish don’t have feelings, it’s just a realistic balance for me and I get that it will sound hypocritical to some.

@AllThatTwitters
I would suggest that maybe those who would mistreat a living being are the ones who really need therapy, not those who get upset about it).

Now that does sound a bit as if you're saying those of us who care more about people than animals are going to mistreat animals. I'm sure you're not- but just in case. We aren't.

That’s great that you’re sure I wasn’t saying that, because that would be a radical interpretation of what I was saying.

Its a miracle. We have a vegan who says you can care about animals and eat meat. 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊

Not hypocritical at all..

It should sound hypocritical to everyone. Signal your virtue over a horse left out in the rain but don't give a crap where your burgers come from 🙄

Do pause your own virtue signaling for a second to actually read what I wrote, cheers.

To be fair OP... you have to admit that thinking someone killing a fish (which you admit causes it pain) so that you can eat it is okay and realistic balance is strange when the idea of horses that live outside are in the rain wakes you up.. doesn't make much sense?

I really think this is disordered anxiety x