I received a discouraged email from friend and fellow animal advocate yesterday. This woman has worked tirelessly not only to support her own cause, but to promote and support the causes of other advocacy groups. She now finds herself in a position where support from the people she has lent her support to in the past would go a long way toward furthering the cause she is so passionate about. Not one of those groups or individuals have returned a single call or email save for Let’s Adopt Canada. You can see why she is so discouraged!
This makes me ask the question “why?” How is it that a group whom this woman has gone out of her way to support and promote, can not do the same for her when the time comes? I marched beside her during the Million Mutt March in Toronto March 27, 2011, as did many dog owners. The difference for this woman is SHE DOES NOT OWN A DOG PIT BULL OR OTHERWISE, yet she lent her support to a group attempting to over turn BSL in Ontario. When she later called upon that group they wanted nothing to do with her. Apparently as far as they are concerned, her issues of animal welfare are not their concern because they do not further THEIR cause. I however see things differently, after all, are we not ALL on the same side when it comes to protecting the welfare of animals? Should we not be working TOGETHER to promote changes to Canada’s animal welfare laws?
One would think so, however, one of my pet peeves in animal rescue is the seeming disability of individual groups to work together for a common goal. While I have had some minor success in uniting a few of these groups, the majority are not willing to support anything which does not follow their own mandate. Yet they expect the support and concern of everyone involved in animal rescue to get their own issues out there and noticed.
I guess what I am really saying today is this: If we continue to think that the only welfare issue that matters is the one we are personally involved in, we will continue to spin our wheels yet get nowhere. Whether it be BSL you are fighting, or you have a desire to see puppy mills shut down in our country, it is an issue that affects our animals. All of these issues are important when it comes to the big picture, and no one advocacy group is likely to change the face of animal welfare on it’s own. We need, no, we MUST work together toward that common goal if we expect to see changes.
But why is it that these groups do not work together? In my opinion, ego plays a big role in the lack of co-operation between groups. No one group wants to share the glory for changes that might arise from their fight. It is sad really, because most of us got into animal rescue and advocacy because we wanted to change things for our animals. At the beginning we did not care how that was done or whom we had to work with to make our dreams a reality. Somewhere along the line the focus shifted from helping animals to glorifying humans for their attempts to do so.
In conclusion I guess what I am saying is; People put your ego aside and UNITE to reach that common goal! The only way we can possibly change the face of animal welfare in this or any other country, is to begin working together towards a common goal. We need to put aside our differences for the common good!
Until Tomorrow Remember
BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!
Janette
9 Comments to “Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?”
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Gwen Samms says:
So well said Jenette.I have been saying the same thing for awhile now as well.It really isn’t about the animals anymore for some groups,its about the glory and they need to put their ego’s away and work together if we are to make any change for our animal friends….Heck,I’d work with anyone including the devil and give him praise if it meant saving animals..In other words i don’t care if you are rich or poor,what group you belong to,where the fight is taking place or what cause you are part off ,if it is about helping animals i’m there….That is what being an animal activist is suppose to be all about,not 15 minutes of fame,glory or ego.. It’s about what we can all do as one big group to fight for animals right to life…..
Suzanne says:
Agreed. While I am new to the animal advocacy world, I am currently volunteering with a group that has been in the game for awhile. I am totally dismayed that I see this here too. And we all work for the same goal but these groups compete against each other for donor dollars or adoption attention. I have been trying to get the groups to work together (while still maintaining their identities) because I believe there is strength in numbers. So far, it has fallen on deaf ears but I will keep trying.All we can do is keep trying to exten the hand of goodwill and hope someone will eventually reach out on the other end.
David Brickert says:
“In my opinion, ego plays a big role in the lack of co-operation between groups.”
Yessiree. Ego and combative competition, usually among management, undermines all the collaborative efforts made by volunteers. A good Board of Directors can help offset the pettiness but it’s rare.
You always seem to touch upon very cogent and timely topics, Janette. Thanks for your essays!
David
Juliana Phillips says:
Sadly the human agenda is put forward first than the animals by some groups and people and worse still it happens universally. As you said, Janette they should all put their ego aside and work together and support each other. ‘ Together we stand, divided we fall’ don’t these people know that!
Adrienne says:
Good to see someone putting this out there. If we don’t all get on the same page and unite our efforts for change, we will fail. It is that simple. The nay-sayers await any opportunity to finger point. When we bicker amongst ourselves, we will not help the causes we all care about nor will we look professional, dedicated or capable of changing anything other than our attitudes. If we can’t do this as a team, how can we possibly expect the rest of the world to get on board?
Monica Derr says:
I have seen many groups compete rather than collaborate in the efforts to raise money, share resources, etc.
I learned a long time ago it is so much healthier for an individual as well as a group/organization to practice, “Principles above Personalities.” Leave our “issues” at the door of the pound if you truly want to save animals.
Lynn says:
Whether it is BSL, the 100 sled dogs in B.C., the OSPCA here in Ontario, an animal which was seized illegally or the general condition of shelters we should all be out supporting every animal welfare group we can. Every time an animal issue becomes news, we are one step closer to public awareness and change, no matter what the issue is. We all know the bigger the crowd, the more media coverage. Please folks, stop the tunnel vision and see the big picture.
Eva McDowell says:
Just think of the numbers if all the various animal welfare groups joined together as one very strong voice. We would be able to accomplish so much more
Rosemary says:
Not too dfficult to understand why the world is in such a mess. Too many egos crying out; only me. me. me! How many people do you know that can let go of their egos to help someone who does not agree with them?