Why do people care more about animals than humans?

Question

I was at work and a charity came around. If was for the humane society. When it was my turn I refused and said "I'd rather give money to a charity that helps humans." A few people glared at me as if they wanted me dead!

I started to wonder what the heck their problem was because in my mind a human's life is far more important than that of an animals. Then I started realizing more things like how people are quicker to help and feed a stray dog and cat than they are a homeless man. When people hear about a puppy or a kitten being killed they want blood but 20 000 children dying in Africa or wherever the most you get out of them is a "Oh that's terrible...Pass the potatoes"

What's the deal? I just can not understand this. Why do people care more about animals than their fellow human beings? I would personally slaughter a million puppies and kittens just to feed one hungry man.

Answer 1

I've wondered the same thing. I live in a rural area where feral cats are in abundance. Some people shoot them or kill them with bait. I was thinking that if Americans could get over their issues, we could find a way to safely & cheaply euthanize these cats & butcher them for the meat, which could then be distibuted to the soup kitchens, food pantries, & shelters. This could also apply to the dogs & cats being put down in shelters & pounds. I've been homeless & have 8 cats--all have been fixed--& I can tell you: The homeless shelters--for humans--are full. Especially in wintertime. The soup kitchens serve donated foods--most of which are substandard in taste & nutrition. The meat from the animals would greatly improve the nutriative value of foods being served at these charities. And by the way, mental illness is the #1 reason for human homelessness, not drug addiction. I know, I've been there.

Answer 2

If you were at an event that was a fund raising event for humane care of animals, then it would make sense that people would look at you as if you didn't eat LIFE cereal when you were growing up, as you made the statement you did. While I agree with you that there is much to do to improve the lives of humans around the globe, and this may be in your city or town, in the Appalachians or in some third world country, this does not mean that charities that benefit animals are wrong as long as there are humans suffering as well. A very famous humanitarian said something about the way we treat animals and elderly shows a lot about our character. If we care for a starving street animal or a human that is homeless, it says a lot. Some people may prefer charities for animals. It is still charity and for a good cause. When it comes right down to it, a lot of human suffering is far more complicated than just sending money to "fix" it. Otherwise Haiti would be rebuilt by now. I could say the same about New Orleans. I would not slaughter a million puppies and kittens to feed one hungry man. I wouldn't slaughter one to do that. But don't confuse that for apathy or detachment as far as caring about human suffering. In an ideal world, I'd like to see animals responsibly cared for and people fed and able to provide for themselves, or if incapable, being cared for by society. We don't live in a perfect world but maybe one day we'll live in a better one, one person at a time.

Answer 3

YOU SICKEN ME!!! Killing millions of animals to feed one hungry person? What is worse ending millions of lives to save one? Or letting one go hungry until they found a trashcan? I would want you dead too! All you have to do is spare two measly quarters, and a kitten would have a can of wet food. And you say "in my mind a human's life is far more important than that of an animal's." Well, without animals what would you be eating for dinner? Oh, I'm sorry! Your a vegetarian! No animal eats people. Maybe on occasion, if it were a snake (satan disguises himself as this), or a shark. No other animal. Anyways, the homeless man could rape their small girl, or steal drugs such as ibuprofen. A puppy, however, would not want to do either. A puppy will love you no matter your size, shape, religion, or skin color. A person, however, make fun of size, and shape. They either torture you, or send you somewhere else because of religion. A person discriminates against certain skin colors, sends them away to a designated area for their color, and treats them as their servants. Puppies see in black, and white. They could care less about the color of your skin. The kids in Africa are bad, but so are the adults. No one ever talks about how bad they are suffering though. Conclusion: Animals are honest, and don't judge. Humans judge everything, and lie.

Answer 4

1. Most animals are far cuter than most humans.

2.Most humans are able to help themselves out of a bad situation, while most animals cannot. Eg maybe people think that the homeless man should get a job, then he won't be homeless any more, or maybe they think he was made homeless because he's a drug addict, while it's not an animals fault if they have a bad living situation.

3. Realistically, there are too many humans on this planet anyway. Why would we want to keep alive even more useless africans who are just a drain on the planet and contribute nothing?

Answer 5

Humans are animals.



They glare at you because you have no compassion for other living creatures besides your own kind.



A stray dog or cat is a lot less scary than a homeless person, a lot of them are on drugs and/or have mental issues. Would you rather let a stray dog sleep in your back yard or a strange homeless person? They also have food banks and shelters to go to, dogs don't.



People who kill puppies and kittens for no real reason are psychopaths. If a baby or a child was killed or starving to death here, people would be wanting blood too.



Africa is too far removed for people to care and try to help. Why donate money to them when I doubt any of it will actually make it there? The animal charities, it's easy to see where your money goes and who it's helping and how.

Answer 6

I hate your very existence. Killing millions of INNOCENT animals for one man? Do you really think humans are above other animals just because we are "people" Get over yourself. Animals are alive just as much as we are. We are no more important than them. Many humans are selfish, cruel and evil while animals go through life without acting that way. Youre a very selfish person and if looks could kill, i bet those people wouldve slaughtered you and they should. Why kill millions of INNOCENT animals for one man who probably got himself homeless. I understand a lot of homeless arent self inflicted but some are. So why kill innocent animals for a man who got himself in that mess. Animals dont start wars. People do. Animals dont cause pollution. People do. So why think yourself above them when we are ignorantly destroying the world we live in! We are all made of the same thing. Matter! We are all flesh and bones and no amount of flesh and bones is higher than another!

Answer 7

Very few animal charities get anywhere NEAR the millions and millions that big human charities get i.e. cancer research, red cross, NSPCC etc, in fact, here's ranking in the UK, in the first link, top 20 earning MILLIONS a year, these are ALL human-centric.

http://www.charitiesdirect.com/charities/top500rank.php?Sort=I&Order=1

And here's a Guardian top 10, 9 human-centric, one, the RSPCA, the only animal one:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/jan/10/charities.voluntarysector1



There will always be humans helping others, humans speak up when they are in trouble, they have a voice, animals do not and their suffering is almost always caused by humans in the first place. It is our job to help creatures that have no voice at all and are suffering because of us.



A stray dog is on the streets because we bred it and we abandoned it. A homeless man has got himself there through circumstance but is, unlike a dog, capable of using all the dozens upon dozens of charity resources available to him to get himself off the streets without you giving the man himself a penny.

Answer 8

Animals don't judge you. they do not care how you look or act. They love you no matter what and will continue to do so. The glare's a little mean, but i too would rather help an animal. Human's choose to lead a bad life or to be poor. They can care for themselves. The have rights. Animals depend on us. The need us, they cannot fend for themselves. Now do you understand?

Answer 9

They assign innocence to animals in need. Animals don't normally have ill intent, only instinct. Animals are usually in a situation where they require saving because of human action or inaction. A homeless person 99 times out of 100, is a substance abuser, not really hungry just feinding, and usually in that position by their own action or inaction. As for victimized children, they are innocent and the same rules should apply as with animals except for one massive difference: THEY ARE HUMAN and its part of our instinct to help our collective young, it's how we got this far. As a species, rule number 1. OUR innocents first. 2. Other species innocents.

Answer 10

People care about animals so much because they are UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. They are totally dependent and helpless. Their fate lies in our hands and hearts every moment of every day and they give you love even if they have been abused. HUMANS on the other hand give love only with conditions , are vengeful, angry, destructive and cruel at times. You have a point in that a human life is "worth more" but I'm just explaining WHY humans usually give to animals more easily. Also animal lovers usually have pets at home which only reinforces the love and generosity.

Answer 11

Animals are not equipped like humans to defend themselves. Pets can't get restraining orders or verbalize their abuse like an adult can. So its natural to view them as helpless therefore causing them to feel sympathetic. A person can yell to a homeless man..."get a job" and it'd be a valid point. You yell that to a stray dog....you look like a fool.

Answer 12

I for one DON'T LIVE IN AFRICA, and when the US government starts helping the people born and raised here then I will help to.

But they don't.

I donate 1000 pounds of dog and cat food every 6 months to our local shelter.

I have a blanket drive for them also.

And I also donate food to food pantries for the needy.

But I am sorry I will not send food or money either one to Africa.

I own that country NOTHING.



And yes I do Love animals more then Humans, The Love you get from them is unconditional, and humans always want something for Love and friendship.

Answer 13

Illusionist is right. Also a human can tell you what is wrong. Animals can't speak for themselves. They can't tell you that they are being abused or hurt.



A friend if mine became a veterinarian because she said recovering animals are much easier to deal with. Never once do they complain. They don't care what others think even if their leg is amputated.

Answer 14

It's because animals can't help themselves. A man who chose to do drugs and lead his life to homelessness was from his own fault. He could straighten up and get a job. He could find help for himself. It's HIS choice to be on the streets.

If an animal is at the hands of a human and is constantly tormented, abused, mistreated.. that is at the hands of a human, NOT the animals choice.



Man does it to himself. Man also does it to animals.

Answer 15

Well cuz' animals CAN'T argue with you they come to you if there hurt or distressed...

They interact with us more then any other family member.

Because you are there parent they are like well... Kids.

And I personally would die for each and every one of my pets.

You know give my life for theirs.

They don't understand death or harm since no one can tell them what it is.

Answer 16

Animals are truthful and straight forward. They don't judge and always love. People are jerks. People have a chance and make the choices that they do to put them where they are. Animals, that usually isn't the case.