On domestication
Someone asked me if keeping an animal as a “pet” was the lesser of two evils.
I think that the concept of having a companion animal can be excellent and mutually beneficial as the non-human individual can be well looked after, protected and benefit from medical science and technology.
“Freedom” is a human concept and whilst I would not condone keeping non-human animals in spaces which are not adequate, I have no issue with restricting their movement if they can still be reasonably happy and healthy and if it benefits them and other animals.
I am pro-domestication. Not the domestication of carnivores that involves having countless other animals slaughtered, not the domestication of animals in order to exploit them and then kill them, and not the domestication that involves having breeders making a business out of getting individuals to reproduce while countless animals need rescuing.
I am pro-domestication because I think it can easily be of mutual benefice, as well as pleasant.
The non-human will be protected from predators and will be provided with a balanced diet and entertainment while the human will enjoy the company and/or the feeling that comes from doing something good for someone.
Being in contact with non-humans also helps humans understand that they are sentient, that they have feelings, that they learn things and develop their own culture.
I don’t think that “an ideal world” would not have domestication. On the contrary, I believe “an ideal world” would have plenty of domesticated animals!
Pets are not fashion statements and the real issue of companion animals being abandoned for a yes or a no is a major concern. In a society that considers non-human animals as disposable sources of income, part of the furniture or as commodities, it comes as no surprise that domestication is normally seen as a way to exploit animals. It comes as no surprise that pets are often mistreated.
I am in no way ignoring the terrible reality of domestication in a speciesist world. I simply wanted to explain why I am not against the principle of domestication and why I am, in fact, in favour of it.
The only ethical way I can think of to have a pet here and now is, of course, adoption.
