Towards Changing A Culture

One of the signboards that promotes better treatment of animals.

Sometimes, in order to make a better world, you need to change a culture. It might be hard for us to believe, but in some cultures it is acceptable to eat companion animals, like dogs and cats. Even more so, in those countries where poverty can lead to desperation and hunger can widen the selection of food choices.

In Liberia, it has been considered acceptable to treat companion animals as food commodities, as food choices. So, it takes a strong effort to convince people that what was once considered culturally accessible, is no longer. That is a campaign that has been undertaken by Morris Darbo, Executive Director and Founder, along with his team of advocates from the LIBERIA ANIMAL WELFARE AND CONSERVATION SOCIETY (LAWS).



Calling the program the ANTI-PET EATING CAMPAIGN, the animal welfare group sought to replace the culture that viewed eating pets as acceptable with a culture of empathy and caring, one that would lead to a responsible, compassionate, and just society. According to Mr. Darbo, "Education is the key to ending cruelty to animals and bringing about transformation. Every human has a natural tendency toward kindness, but needs awareness, honesty, and courage in order to translate that tendency into concrete actions."

The campaign began by reaching out into the community by raising awareness of this issue and asking people to give up eating pets, since there was no legislative support to provide a way to compel people to do so. They purchased educational and awareness materials such as 1000 printed leaflets, megaphones, and banners. The program went into 20 schools in Lofa county. Program leaders engaged with the public via media talk shows, and placed seven sign boards with their message in seven district cities.

As LAWS received more funds through grants, they were able to target their educational awareness programs to the younger generation, those still in school. Animal Kindness Clubs were started in fifteen schools and more than 800 students signed pledges to refrain from eating pets.

By the end of last year, LAWS was reaching out to dog owners, educating them about how to care for their companions. They were providing formalized training about responsible dog ownership and also provided blankets, food and water bowls, dog food, free veterinary care, along with safe havens. The group is noticing that more owners are valuing their dogs and providing better care.

Advocates are out in the community promoting better care for pets.

It's an ongoing effort to continue to make inroads into ingrained societal practices. The more education in more venues that is provided the more knowledgeable the people become. They can become extended into such areas as dog bite prevention, and even reach out to animal slaughterhouses, promoting more humane treatment of animals there.

Most of all, it is reaching the children, educating them, that makes a difference.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/morris-darbo-campaign-against-pet-eating/; and the above links.

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