Animal gift schemes
Donating animals to developing countries does little to help bring people out of poverty. In fact, it can often result in more problems.
You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by the images of people in desperate need that often accompany aid charity promotions. Some of these, call for compassionate members of the public to send ‘livestock’ to communities in need.
However, all farmed animals require food and large quantities of water, which are often in short supply where these initiatives are focused. As a result, through no fault of the people who are provided with these animals, they animals may be denied shelter from extreme weather and necessary veterinary care, and as such suffer unnecessarily.
There are many ways to help people in need without harming animals, and potentially putting those communities in an even worse position. Charities and organisations such as the Food Empowerment Project and A Well Fed World help alleviate the suffering caused by poverty, without the use of animals.
