Disappointment and lies

Well, I had an albeit small slither of hope that I would get to click the 'victory' button on this petition before the pet show went through this August, but sadly I cannot.

I had reached out to the event organisers for the third time to further educate them on the concerns, raise the awareness of the petition and to ask them once again to not allow rabbits and small, prey animals into the pet show. Their reply was almost entirely lies.

Claiming the advertised 'children's pet show' was a 'vet check', despite it not being labelled anywhere as such and they picked winners who got third, second and first place prizes. They also claimed they had spoken to SSPCA and they approved it as long as they had water and shelter, implying it was perfectly okay to distress the animals as long as they had some water and shelter, as if they are simply plants. When SSPCA contacted me back, they said they did NOT approve of such an event but had no way of doing anything about it. They then also said the show is over in two hours, and that last year they 'recall only having dogs and cats registered'. A 'vet check' does not take two hours, it is not done surrounded by predator animals and loud children, and it should not be done by vets who are not rabbit savvy. They also do not give away prizes at vet checks. Again, implying it is fine to put these animals through distress, because it's only two hours. And I have proof that last year at least one rabbit and chicken were picked as winners, let alone entered into the show. Upon me calling them out on their lies, they simply replied 'thank you for the message'. 

I wrote a press release for two local news sources, but neither posted it. 

I am a firm believer in always fighting for what is right, no matter if you are alone or not. Many voices who have changed the world for animals started with one, and grew to be what they are today. But I have never felt so alone and helpless in all of my life. No charities can help, no animal welfare charities can intervene, I barely know anyone to get the word out, and I don't have a social media presence. I will never give up in fighting for animals, especially those who are misunderstood, mistreated or left out of the conversation, but I will admit my heart has been left feeling dejected. 

I hope one day to bring good change upon the world for animals and nature, I must simply keep fighting.

I shall still send this into the local council's petition department, but given the lack of support so far, I feel this is sadly not the happy ending I was hoping for.

Thank you with all my heart and soul to everyone who has supported, shared and promoted this petition, without you I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did, nearly 100 signatures!! Let us keep this up, and show these people that animals deserve better!