Tearful, frustrated, pleading and desperate — the heartfelt words of Paws R Us founder and director Dr Chantelle Murray have resonated strongly through the animal welfare community and with animal lovers of all types.
Murray, who did her doctorate in the “governance of the animal welfare space”, was overwhelmed by sadness in the wake of immense animal cruelty seen over the festive season and the scores of traumatised, terrified and injured animals in the wake of New Year's Eve celebrations.
She took to social media in her vulnerable state. Speaking directly to the camera, Murray wept as she verbalised her frustration and helplessness in a clip that has been viewed thousands of times, shared by organisations and individuals and has drummed up a good amount of support.
“The video unexpectedly travelled much further than I ever thought it would. For that I am grateful — and of course, I hope it made a few people reflect on their own selves, and the values in their own homes,” she told TimesLIVE Premium this week, as she expressed her desire to continue driving the issue of animal cruelty and neglect forward in a more powerful way.
In her video, Murray calls for a kinder, more compassionate society — one where animals are well treated and not tossed aside like new gaming consoles once the novelty has worn off.
Reflecting on the “carnage after New Year’s Eve”, Murray spoke of the traumatic scenes encountered by animal rescuers. And her words resonated with many.
“If you look at the commentary, several animal welfare organisations around the country shared the video and confirmed feeling the same way. Most rescuers are exhausted beyond measure, with no formalised counselling support for compassion fatigue, and no substantial funding or resourcing support coming from either government, or the corporate world. The entire sector is buckling. Since 2018, 16 SPCAs alone have closed due to insufficient funding support. Without an SPCA what happens to stray and abandoned animals, or cruelty cases?”
She pointed out that because there is no formal consolidation in the animal welfare sector, statistics are impossible to come by “and therefore no central repository from which we can draw data on animals lost and found over New Year, or the numbers that flooded into shelters over the holiday season”.
With little support, no access to accurate information and a constant stream of surrendered, neglected and animals in trouble coming in, Murray pleaded for a change in society.
“Animal rescue is very much like trench-warfare — it takes grit, heart and determination to deal with the animal fallout every week, every month, every year. And no matter how hard you try, they just keep coming. And though it is always good and important and valuable at the level of precious lives saved, our sector and our approach are sadly not shifting the dial with our society at the level that it should and must.”
Murray said her focus was now on “our disposable, throwaway society in which everything can be replaced, and the lives of sentient beings have no intrinsic value”.
Bottom line? We need to focus on stirring and nurturing individual and collective consciousness. Our life lessons show us that this is where the make or break of it all lies — not just for animals, but for the fate of humanity
— Dr Chantelle Murray
She said a key question posed in the video was what families are teaching children when they are allowed to discard animals when they are no longer wanted.
“How does this manifest in the way they view anything — whether it be items, animal lives or even human relationships? It is small wonder that we struggle with commitment in the modern world — we are too busy chasing the next best thing and forgetting about what is waiting for us at home,” said Murray.
“Bottom line? We need to focus on stirring and nurturing individual and collective consciousness. Our life lessons show us that this is where the make or break of it all lies — not just for animals, but for the fate of humanity.”
Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) agreed with Murray.
“From December until now, has been the worst ‘season of goodwill’ for us. Just when we think it can't get worse, it does,” CLAW commented.
Boxer Rescue South Africa said: “We totally resonate with you on this and share in the shock and carnage after New Year’s Eve ... Our pleas and educational posts fall on deaf ears or reach the already converted. Not sure what kind of activism and action needs to take place to prevent this. Thank you for being so vulnerable. It’s always a hard way to start the year.”
Thabazimbi Animal Rescue commented: “Every word reverberates through my soul. Working as a rescuer, I know how this feels. Feels like we are sinking at times, and our hearts are broken every second of the day. We love every little four-footed soul, and yet we see 99% of society do not care. I will keep working and fighting to keep saving ... My prayers to every animal rescuer are never to give up hope and know how much it means to that little stray or abused four-foot and fur child out there.”
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