Animals In Rodeos

Yesterday, I spent my Saturday visiting the animals at Farm Sanctuary in Orland, California. Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that rescues and rehabiliates animals from factory farms, slaughterhouses, and other incidents of cruelty. Meeting these rescued animals is a life changing and beautiful experience. Many of them have such different and unique personalities and I feel it is my duty to really show how wonderful nonhuman animals are.

Farm Sanctuary 11/17/12

This is one of the many cows that I was able to meet. Here at the sanctuary, animals are given a life to live freely and happily without the risk of being slaughtered, used, or abuse. I bring this experience up because many animals are used for humans every day.

For example, each year thousands of rodeos take place. Rodeos are dangerous and stressful environments for animals, specifically cattle. Participants rely on harsh methods like electric prods to evoke and anger (and scare) cattle so they can be more aggressive during their shows. Injuries to animals such as bruises, sprains, and broken limbs are very common especially with young calves. Animals are also transported in small trailers and trucks often times with no ventilation and inadequate water and food.

During rodeo shows, "cowboys" engage in activities such as calf-roping and steer wrestling. In calf-roping, "cowboys" chase 4-6month old calves and swing their lassos until they wrap around the neck of the young cattle. As soon as the young cattle is lassoed, the rider will throw the young cattle to the ground. According to the ASPCA, "Since the terrified calf is running at such a high speed when lassoed, the rope often snaps with a force strong enough to yank the calf off his feet and into the air. This action may result in neck injury—at times, death occurs if the neck is broken". This is very common in rodeos and animals often times do not receive proper veterinary care and so they are forced to live in excruciating pain.

 There are many things that we can do to stop the abuse in rodeos. One is to keep educated on the issue. And two is to not support. By attending rodeos you are participating in the abuse of the animals. For more information on how to get invovled in ending the abuse of animals in rodeos please visit http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000349
 



Sources:
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/whats-wrong-with-the-rodeo.aspx
http://www.idausa.org/facts/rodeos.html