Tag: this is important

animastical:

let’s all get something clear

NO ASPECT OF YOUR IDENTITY MAKES YOU INCAPABLE OF BEING BIGOTED

not your race, religion, sexual orientation, economic class, gender, or any other part of your identity absolves you of your personal responsibility to treat others with respect

that is all

Feeding and caring about animals is the least we can do in exchange for invading their territory at every turn. I also do what I can for them. I noticed some rats living under my front porch steps, so instead of throwing leftovers in the bin after dinner, I throw it outside so they dont have to worry about getting food. Also seeds, nuts and water for any little fuzzies passing through. There is nothing wrong AT ALL with what you are doing if you feel it truly in your heart. <3<3<3

zooophagous:

thegreenwolf:

beckoningforest:

I completely agree, sweet nonny! I don’t understand how some people could just stand by and provide no care for the creatures around us. Especially in the city, where there is no habitat for them! I’m so glad to hear that you too try your best to help, those little souls are resting a bit easier because of you!

I always leave a fresh supply of food for the neighborhood creatures (with heavy research about diets) and water. Little fuzzies must be protected at all costs. Thank you for the message, kind anon. You truly made my day far brighter! ❤

Here is a gif a fuzzy. Fuzzies are v cute! :3

image

On the one hand, I agree that we need to give support to wildlife that’s been negatively impacted by our presence. This is why I support wildlife rehab, particularly when the end goal is release back into the wild.

However, I do not support feeding wild mammals for a number of reasons:

–A city IS habitat. It’s not ideal habitat, but it’s not lifeless. The animals that live in cities are those that have adapted to them. Part of what they’ve been able to adapt to is the presence of humans, the alterations we’ve made to the landscape, and the changes in where food comes from and what it looks like. The fact that those species exist in cities says that they’re doing pretty well for themselves and don’t necessarily need our help.

–There IS less habitat, which means more competition for food and other resources. By feeding wild mammals, even if you’re feeding their natural diets, you are supporting an artificial increase in populations that would otherwise not be viable in an urban environment. Furthermore, because cities lack many of the predators that keep prey animals in check, prey species can quickly overpopulate and become nuisances. And the more concentrated a species is, the more susceptible it is to disease and injuries stemming from territorial squabbles because everyone’s packed in too tightly.

–Not all urban wildlife is native. Here in my Portland neighborhood we do have some native species like Northern flickers and scrub jays, but we also have an overabundance of starlings and brown rats. And I have a neighbor down the way who single-handedly supports an entire flock of wild pigeons, which are also not native. These animals compete with what native wildlife still exists here and makes it harder for them to stay established in the scraps of habitat left.

–What happens if a particular food source goes away, for example a wildlife feeder moves away or runs out of money for critter food? That too-high population of wildlife is going to be beset by starvation, which is a pretty awful way to die. By deliberately feeding wild mammals you are condemning future generations to a nasty death when the inevitable food shortage happens.

–Wild mammals that are trained to see humans as sources of food are more likely to run into trouble, especially if their usual source of food goes away and they’re getting desperate. This can range from being attacked by dogs and humans, to getting run over by cars, to having to be exterminated as nuisances because they persist in trying to get into human habitations to get food. 

–Furthermore, some of these animals carry diseases that can be passed to humans; mice and rats are notable examples. Not every mouse has hantavirus, of course, but do you realize some of the biggest public health improvements we’ve made have been because we managed to get garbage out of the reach of disease-carrying rodents? In fact, here’s a great article on why Portland doesn’t have the rat problem that other cities in America have.

–Just because you intend to feed the rats and the chipmunks doesn’t mean you aren’t also feeding the raccoons and opossums. (Or in some instances deer, coyotes and black bears, along with feral cats and dogs that can attack native wildlife.) You may not mind these animals, but your neighbors may not appreciate rodent infestations in their homes because you’re attracting mice and rats, or the assaults on their gardens and garbage cans, since animals don’t respect property lines. And larger wildlife like bears and deer can present a serious threat to human safety (and, again, humans are not safe for the bears and deer, either). 

If you want to help urban wildlife, don’t put human food out for them. Instead, promote greenspaces like yards and parks. Work toward the preservation of wild habitat outside the city, too. If you’re able to, plant native plants that provide seeds, nectar, fruit, and other valuable food. If you absolutely have to feed wildlife, feed native birds; they don’t acclimate to human presence in the way that mammals do, and they are more versatile in their ability to find food. And they’re a lot less likely to knock over garbage cans or enter people’s homes in search of food. 

Little fuzzies must be protected at all costs by luring them into yards and houses where poison, traps, cars, dogs, cats and kids with BB guns are I bet they’re going to just have a gay old time being protected there lol.