World Animal Protection Day – This way we can guarantee animal protection every day

Austria is still considered a model country when it comes to animal protection; this is even enshrined as a national goal in our constitution. Letters from our readers also show how important this topic is and how much people are concerned about the sad cases of animal suffering.

It is the core task of the animal corner “Krone” to report when animals are poorly treated or abused. We are following up on numerous leads if the allegations are confirmed and reporting back.

Together we ensure that something happens
It is important that animal lovers stand together, address their grievances and raise their voices for animals. Because if ‘bad practices’ such as the illegal puppy trade remain hidden, nothing will change. In order for something to change, it must also reach people’s consciousness.

Using six examples, we want to show where everyone can start promoting animal protection. Because even small actions can often have a big impact!

1. Better togetherness – dogs have a permanent place
Dogs have become an indispensable part of our society! They keep us fit and are good for our psyche. But the gap between dog owners and people without dogs is large. A current example is serious biting incidents – some of which have fatal consequences – which have made some people afraid of dogs. As a dog owner, it is your job to prevent this and ensure that your four-legged friend gets enough exercise. Dogs must be trained and managed so that they do not pose a danger to others. Because if things continue like this, the mood will unfortunately change quickly.

2. Fashion – Fur is not wearable
Your decision makes a difference not only when purchasing cosmetics, but also when it comes to clothing: more than 100 million animals are killed on fur farms every year – including dogs, cats and rabbits. There is no humane way to kill animals for their fur. The methods are always cruel. Also keep in mind that for every little piece of fur on a hood, hat or other fashion accessory, an animal had to die in pain.

3. Pets – are partners!
The situation in animal shelters shows us what the unwise purchase of a pet can lead to. Because that’s where many four-legged friends end up, who were bought during the lockdowns as a fun pastime. There are a few things to consider before purchasing a pet! Ongoing costs and vet bills can quickly put a hole in your budget and you should be aware that you will be responsible for your dog and cat for at least the next ten years. When you make your decision, don’t base it on visual criteria or because it’s a “bargain.” Cruel breeding (for example pugs) and the illegal trade in puppies cause continuous animal suffering.

4. Meat consumption – quality instead of quantity
Almost every day you make an important choice on the supermarket shelf and you may not realize how much power you have. Because your purchase is always a production order and determines how well the pig, beef or chicken has had in its life. So it is up to all of us to give meat the value it once had. It did not appear on the table every day, but came from a trusted farmer and from good, regional sources. So if you want to prevent animals from ending up on your plate that were kept in poor conditions, you have to think again. Less often better, but the best organic quality from Austria!

5. Wild animals – deserve our protection!
We all demand more and more living space and are suddenly surprised when a fox wanders through the city. A little more awareness of the creatures in the wild would be a great help to flora and fauna! It starts with natural gardening, where not every blade of grass is mowed with a robotic lawnmower or millions of insects are destroyed by a leaf blower at 250 km/h. And it ends with how we behave in nature. As winter approaches, wildlife is in a real fight for survival as we mindlessly shoot rockets into the sky or go skiing in protected areas at New Year’s Eve. You set a good example with care and attention for the residents of fields, meadows and forests!

6. Holidays and free time – Not at the expense of the animals!
Elephant riding in Thailand, swimming with dolphins in Turkey, petting lion cubs in South Africa or bullfighting in Spain: pure animal abuse lies behind many tourist attractions. Elephants, for example, are brutally abused as young animals to make them docile. Numerous shows and events involving animals also cause immeasurable suffering. In bullfights, for example, animals are consciously stimulated prior to the spectacle. The methods used range from hitting the kidneys to drilling needles into the genitals and administering disorienting drugs. Keyword Species Protection: Whether corals, reptiles, traditional medical products or tropical carvings – you should keep your hands away from many animal souvenirs!

The coalition poker has begun. How high animal protection will be on the future government’s agenda is anyone’s guess. During the election campaign, the three major parties kept a low profile and prioritized other issues. But animal protection is an important issue that affects all areas of our lives. You don’t have to own an animal to care for the well-being of other living beings.

Just the question about consumption habits can reflect how important animal welfare is to someone. Because if I thoughtlessly choose the inn that offers the cheapest schnitzel, I have to assume that the animal probably does not come from an Austrian establishment. He probably spent his life in a cramped, daylight-less stable on a Dutch manure farm and was taken to slaughter in turbo time.

But what if the guest could read on the menu where the meat on the plate comes from and under what conditions it was produced? Then many people would lose their appetite and start rethinking things. A requirement to label origin and livestock farming in the catering industry – but also in the food trade – would be the right step! Hopefully it will soon become clear whether the next government will be brave enough to take this path

Yours, Maggie Entenfellner