"The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man"
~ Charles Darwin
Welcome to the Guardian Campaign!
The Guardian Campaign promotes the use of the term "guardian" instead of "owner" when referring to our animal companions. More than an exercise in semantics, this shift promotes a more compassionate relationship between person and animal.
In the past, animals were recognised in legal terms as mere commodities or property, not as individual beings, and often their exploitation and abuse was ignored, rationalised and even justified.
Not that long ago women, children and others were seen, in legal terms, as merely property. Finally, it's time to acknowledge that animals, too are worth something more than their price tag.
Although the term guardian does not change any legal standing, guardian denotes a high level of responsibility for the care, welfare, treatment and quality of life of an animal in our charge.
Change one word and you can change a life
By changing one word in your vocabulary today, you have the power to change the perception of our animal companions forever. So be a guardian, not an owner and you'll be making a world of difference.
There may be those who oppose the term "guardian" for fear of elevating animals to a position of respect. These will most likely be people who currently profit from inflicting misery and pain on our animal friends.
Thankfully, this is countered by the increasing number of individuals, organisations and charities around the world, committed to compassionate and responsible animal care, which includes embracing the term "animal guardian".
It is important to note that this update in language must supplement and strengthen, not replace, other animal welfare and protection efforts.
You can download the campaign Press Release here:
@GuardianCamp
LATEST NEWS 2012:
Campaigning for an end to the sale of live animals in UK petshops!
The Guardian Campaign is now an Associate Member of APGAW - the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare. For more information visit http://www.apgaw.org
Following on from the achievements and ongoing efforts of C.A.R.I.A.D. to keep the pressure up in Wales, The Guardian Campaign UK is focussing attention during 2012 on the other end of the problem. The sale of these puppy farm pups - considered to be 'livestock' rather than sentient beings - in UK pet shops, largely in England. There are, of course, other areas that need addressing such as online sales of animals. But our first priority is pet shops.
The sale of all live animals in pet shops is abhorrent. It's unethical. And it belittles the value of domestic companion animal life. These vulnerable animals are being sold as commodities on a par with groceries bought in supermarkets. The laws governing the sale of live animals in pet shops must be changed and this archaic practice brought to an end. As such The Guardian Campaign UK will be working with other interested parties to progress new legislation.
It wasn't an acceptable practice in the 20th century. It's even less acceptable in the 21st when we are supposedly more educated, more compassionate and more informed as a species.
NEWS FROM 2011
Campaigning to end puppy farming in the UK!
In August and September of last year, the Guardian Campaign took part in several peaceful protests in Wales about Councils granting planning applications and licenses for large puppy farms.
Wales is the hub of puppy farming in the UK and undercover footage has shown the unimaginable horror of what really goes on behind closed doors of sheds, barns, garages, cellars - in fact anywhere these 'breeders' can hide away these tragic breeding bitches and stud dogs.
Naturally the overwhelming majority of people are opposed to puppy farming and there are many charities and organisations who speak out. Yet to date no progress was being made. It occurred to us that all this campaigning activity was fragmented and disparate and would be more effective if we all joined together with one voice and used our combined experience in a united campaign.
The Guardian Campaign launches C.A.R.I.A.D.
That's when the idea for C.A.R.I.A.D. was born. The word is Welsh for 'beloved' and is a very popular name for pets in Wales. It also stands for Care And Respect Includes All Dogs.
The Guardian Campaign contacted charities, organisations and rescue shelters right across Wales and put the idea of the C.A.R.I.A.D. Coalition to them. By 18th September 2011, Puppy Farm Awareness Day, The C.A.R.I.A.D. Coalition comprised 20 organisations and was launched to the public on a stand at Burns Dogs Day Out. The Coalition is expected to continue to grow in strength and numbers of the coming months.
By 11th October, a hand signed petition of just under 5,000 signatures was presented to the Welsh Government - the first time such a petition had been created. And the first time a campaign had been launched that addressed puppy farming issues in both English and Welsh.
Giving Wales a voice
The objective of the petition was to make the Welsh Government aware that people living in Wales do not support puppy farming in any capacity and want the proposed new dog breeding legislation, currently being drafted and due in Spring 2012, to be implemented and administered without amendments that would dilute its efficacy.
Delivery of the petition means that phase one of the C.A.R.I.A.D. Campaign is now complete.
Phase two is now under way and includes an adventurous strategy of awareness and educational campaigns, publicity, fundraising and joint promotions to ensure that puppy farming is kept high on the agenda and will hopefully be consigned to the history books in the near future. Once the campaign has proven effective in Wales, phase three will be to roll out the campaign to the rest of the UK.
You can download the C.A.R.I.A.D. campaign Press Release here:
You can find out more about C.A.R.I.A.D. by visiting:
