Lending a Helping Paw by Anna

Lending a Helping Paw by Anna - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

Do you have a pet? If so, you know first hand the importance animals have in people's lives. Animals come in and change lives for the better and truly radiate loving energy. It’s amazing how you can adopt a fur baby right at a local pound or shelter. Although, there are many animals that never even live to find a forever home. The sad part about it is that many animals that are not adopted face neglect and mistreatment in said pounds and shelters. If I were to start a nonprofit organization, I would like it to benefit homeless animals.
You may be wondering why one would choose homeless animals rather than people. Well, there are plenty of acts and organizations to help homeless people, but animals typically go overlooked and ignored. Animals go hungry and live in poor cruel conditions held in confinement, living in hopes they might get adopted. Most live their entire lives like this up until their time is up. These fur babies can do absolutely nothing about their condition and live an awful life. They sit back and watch their life pass right in front of their own eyes. Imagine if a human had to sit on a hot pavement for years, scarring up their skin, sitting in their own feces and being fed scarce amounts up until they are put down. In that perspective, everyone sees it as inhumane and pitiful. Sadly, that is the reality for most of these animals.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 2015 approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats were put down strictly due to overpopulation of the animals in shelters who cannot find homes. Not a single person would ever let this happen to a human being but 2.7 million animals lost their lives because they were not able to be taken care of properly. This is majorly due to a lack of funding and effort put into their lives. While an animal life may seem less significant than a human life, they are still living souls. They are living creatures who, unlike human beings, can’t do anything to help their situation and well being. Any animal has the heart the size of the world if given the proper home and suitable living conditions. Even if one single organization wouldn’t be able to prevent this completely, I would still start one because progress is better than nothing. While we cannot save 2.7 million lives, it would be worth it to at least help the number lessen.
I strongly believe in helping those who are unable to help themselves. These poor animals are perfect examples of a helpless group in need of a hand. Helping these animals find a healthy living space, be fed an appropriate amount, and lead them to a life of happiness is an act of kindness that would pay off for the rest of my life. Therefore, if I were to start a nonprofit organization, I would want it to benefit homeless animals in shelters and pounds.