Adopt a pet. And convince at least 10 people to adopt a pet too. Share the experience of how the adoption was and how it changed the life of the pets and the new owners :) An idea from Patrice Tamez

why would having a pet make the world a better place?

Yes, please do explain, because I don't get it..

is it because the pets wont be killed in the animal shelter?

Hi. Adopting a pet may not change the world at the big scale you want to, but let me explain:
1. You'll save a life. Which is actually something amazing by itself, it is humane and it's all about second chances.
2. You will not only help the pet, but you will help the shelter. Animal shelters do what they can, by adopting a pet from a shelter, you're giving them the oportunity to continue helping. So you're actually saving your new pet's life and other animals too.
3. By adopting a pet you will also decrease the demand to buy puppies or kitties at pet stores.
4. Pets bring amazing joy and company. They make people happy. So you could discover the joy of having a new "someone" in your life that loves you and takes care of you and share that with more people.
I'm an idealist too, and I know adopting pets may not solve wars or feed the poor; but I believe it's a good start to show people that even the smallest life deserves to be saved, that all the creatures deserve love and respect; and maybe, just maybe if we can start with that, we would be more humane. I don't know if adopting a pet and convincing people to adopt 10 other pets will change the whoooole world but I'm sure it will change yours and the ones of the people who adopt, and surely it will change the world of the pets.

"And when enough people do enough things, however small they are, then change takes place." Howard Zinn.

I do see your point, thanx.

Only, I know from experience that people should only own a pet if they really want one and can create the circumstances for the pet to be happy. This is a real challenge in the city, especially if you are away for longer then a day at a time on a regular basis.

I get the impression that this would probably be the case with Maarten?

And in adopting a pet, you have a lovely animal with a certain 'manual' (because it has a past so to say). You should have some experience with animals before you take this on, don't you think? I've seen pets being returned to their 'previous owner' with amazing speed, because people did not realize this!

Hmmm, I'm not usually this sceptic, maybe I should get some sleep ;)!

Thank you. Yes, I know you're right. Having a pet is not for everyone, specially when they're shelter animals that have a "past", it requires extra love and extra effort, but again they too deserve a second chance. Adoption is a process, and the shelter knows it, they don't just give the animals out. In most shelters there's a protocol and an interview so people can know if they are suitable for this and what kind of pet will adjust to their life style. I don't really know Maarten; I don't know if he would like to adopt, but I hope he would give it a chance :)

We'd better worry and care about animals in natural environments. Loss of biodiversity. Degradation of ecosystems. Extinction of species. But pets?

i agree that taking a pet out of the shelter saves its life. which is a great thing. but maarten can only do this if he has the time and space to give to this animal. maybe he does? Can you adopt fish?

I know there are bigger problems that animals in shelters, and I mean I wish I could do something to end the crisis in Syria or to end the poberty in Africa or to save species in extinction; but right now we got to start with what we can do, and I think helping nature also involve pets. There's no small problem and no small life.
And yeah, Paul, I really don't think Maarten should adopt if he doesn't want to or if a pet it's not right for his lifestyle, I'm only asking he considers it and see if it is suitable for him and if he really believes in what I am saying could change something. And I really don't know if you can adopt a fish.

Patrice, i think you can do somethink to end the crisis in Syria and the poverty in Africa, or whatever big. And ofcourse you cannot do that by yourself, you need to join forces. Every existing big movement has one time just started by one or a few individuals who had a believe in a solution, just like Amnesty has been founded by one single laywer in London.
I would think of this platform as a nice start to change something that we as individuals find very difficult to change. This is a group of intelligent, progressive people who are all willing to spend time to improve the world, let's use that power to make a real difference.
And for the animals in shelters: let's not increase the number of pet owners, let just people who really want a pet choose to get it from a shelter.
And improve the life of animals in shelter, by for example bring children from schools to the shelters, to play with the animals. Good for children and good for the animals.

Wow, so many comments!
I agree with Patrice that there is a real problem with pets and this results in a lot of suffering for these animals.
And I think there are more solutions to this than adopting one. I like Barts idea about improving life in the shelters with volunteers. School children would be a good one and you could combine it with information about how the pets got there and the responsibilities you have when you get a pet yourself. Otherwise, the children will just nag their parents 'till they can take one of the pets home ;-). Another idea could be lonely people, that would be good for the people too.

Furthermore, let's look at the 'source' of the problem: some people take a pet without thinking enough about the responsibilities and without knowing what a pet really needs :-(. Information about taking care of pets is available, but they don't get it. These pets often end up in the shelter.
How can we prevent this?

And, coming back tot the adoption idea: how can we convince people who really want a pet to go to a shelter first and have a look at the pets there? They could find a lovely pet there instead of taking a puppy or a kitten :-).

Hey Bart and Saskia :)
I don't want Maarten to force people to adopt pets, I was thinking more of getting informed of how it works and if he knows any people who might be interested help them with the process and by sharing this experiences encourage people to get informed about adoption and shelters, who can do it, what type of lifestyle adjust to having a pet, what kind of pets you can adopt, etc. About volunteering in shelters I think it is a beautiful idea too. It will be a great way to cheer up kids and lonely people or whoever wants to do it. Too, I know kids can learn a lot about the value of life and humanity by taking care of another being. In alot of schools that's how must kids learn their impact in others and that all creatures need love and respect, with the "class pet". I mantain myself loyal to my idea because I really believe in the impact it can do, but I really love too the volunteering idea. And I thank you all for the critics and the support, and I'm really glad to know there are people willing to take the time to change the world like all of you :)

ok so. maarten should make sort of an animal shelter awareness month?

I like the idea of bringing information to schools about animal shelters, kids who love pets can learn about them and maybe even end up volunteering there.

I saw this post today and was reminded of this idea! It is wonderful and a beautiful perspective :)
http://www.facebook.com/notes/donna-coughlan/i-rescued-a-human-today/10151121446973591
Enjoy :)