BY ALLISON LEE It is often said that animal companionship offers significant benefits to humans, and having had the pleasure of owning a variety of animals—both domestic and farm—I can certainly attest to this. While cats and dogs are the most common domestic companions, many farm animals can also provide endless fun and companionship. Animal interaction brings a range of mental and emotional benefits, including … Continue reading Hooves, Snouts, and Heart
BY ALLISON LEE Lately, my social media feeds seem increasingly filled with fundraising posts. While I fully appreciate that charities depend on donations—and that, as cash disappears from daily life, traditional collection methods are dwindling—I can’t help but feel uneasy about the sheer volume of personal online appeals. I wonder if this approach is becoming too normalised, and whether it might sometimes channel money to … Continue reading Animal Crowdfunding – Should We Fall For it?
BY JOHN NASH For the benefit of Volk Starmer, the Israel disarmer, and his red (nose) government with the long rubber shoes – what is the difference between human rights and animal rights? That’s easy. Outside the Labour Party, human rights are very, very important, and animal rights do not exist. It’s difficult to explain to politicians using crayons and alphabet blocks, but here goes. … Continue reading Animal Wrongs
VICAR Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and have had an excellent week. For those of You with children or grandchildren doing exams right now, wish them the very best of luck from me and this magazine. This week let’s say a prayer for Your animals, from the dog by Your feet to the horse in the paddock, from … Continue reading A Prayer for the Animals
BY JIM WEBSTER I kept a few pigs before the last foot and mouth outbreak. I used to buy a weaned litter or two and fatten them on a mix of spare milk and some 16% protein dairy feed. This is grossly inefficient but was quite profitable because I was having them killed at a local abattoir. Then they were cut up for me by … Continue reading Pigs & Boars
BY JOHN NASH A cat tortures a mouse for half an hour until death stills a tiny heart, then it walks away unconcerned, leaving the sorry little corpse. A sparrow hawk, spectacular, fierce-eyed gunship of the bird world, swoops upon a tiny bird and plucks it alive while it struggles, skewered in agony upon the hawk’s scimitar talons. These are daily events, but neither cruel nor … Continue reading The Folly of Animal Rights
