Social media has been a powerful tool to help people and businesses on a personal and professional level. It also has proven to be extremely effective for animal shelters and organizations. Social media, particularly Facebook, is being successfully utilitized to find homes for homeless and unwanted animals. These sites have also been beneficial to raise much-needed donations for shelters running on shoe-string budgets.
I can remember when I worked at one particular shelter in the PR department several years ago. I ultilized all avenues for the public to learn about the amazing pets available for adoption. I knew social media was the wave of the future and created a MySpace Page for the shelter. The vision I saw for the use of social media for the shelter where it can be viewed across the world wasn’t shared with the short sighted powers-that-be and was shut down without my knowledge. Ironically and thankfully, this rescue now uses many forms of social media.
Every day we see photos of animals seeking forever homes being crossposted, animals needing help in other countries, and petitions to be signed to end practices such as the brutal gas chambers put to use in shelters. There are many great features about social media in aiding the plight of animals
While no one can dispute social media is an invaluable asset in the animal welfare field, I see new trends turning the internet into a darker, convoluted trap of emotions spewing out of people’s minds and fingers and onto social forums in the form of harrassment, condemning, denigrating, assaulting and persecuting organization and individuals.
I identify with and acknowledge people’s frustrations when diabolical things happen to animals. Social media is crawling with a number of infinite photos and videos of abandoned, abused and/or dead animals every, single day. One can’t escape these gruesome images that leave an indelible imprint in your mind forever.
Videos of people throwing puppies into a raging river. A video of a dog being thrown off a bridge by two teenagers. A cat who was microwaved. Animals that were set on fire. A dog who had his leg cut off by its “guardian.” A puppy beaten, stabbed and chopped up, all caught on video. To name a mere fraction. The images and savagery are boundless. Of course, people are beyond furious.
There was a time when I received an inexhaustible number of pictures and videos in my email inbox. I would sit, scream, cry and sometimes punch my computer screen vowing revenge. I have never been able to comprehend how anyone could be so vindictive and cruel to brutally hurt an animal, sit back and be proud of their violent acts. I’m not isolated in my thinking.
People freely express their outrage to such stories in many forums. Public rage is normal, understandable and justified when you read and see these chilling accounts of animal cruelty. But, when is expressing those thoughts crossing the line?
Recently, a paid animal transporter drove five puppies from West Virginia to New Jersey for a special needs animal rescue (SNARR). One of the puppies was or became ill during the trip. While driving through Pennsylvania, the situation became alarming and the puppy, Heather, needed to see a veterinarian ASAP. Because I can’t verify the facts about the extenuating circumstances surrounding the case, I will refer you to an article in the Examiner. According to reports, the puppies were stuffed into one or two cat crates in a driveway while waiting for another rescue transporter.
Sadly, Heather died.
The police are investigating while people are demanding justice against the woman, Carmen Hope Freeman, who not only owned the transport- Happy Hounds Transport- but was also the driver.
Social media sites have tried, convicted, and sentenced her.
I’m not defending Freeman, in the least. Heather never should’ve died. I’ve read nearly 3,000 comments about this tragic case so far. The hatred is evident. The vitriol that has flooded Facebook, articles and blogs has spread like wildfire.
They wish she was locked up in a crate alongside a road, be put in jail, fined, never allowed to transport, have her FB page removed, and the list goes on and on,
What I find most disturbing is while those who are speaking out against her, some of them want her dead. I read how some will pay her a visit, while others will provide the bullets.
I’ve noticed how people tried to get people to calm down while commenting before they have all of the facts with this case on FB only to be ostracized themselves. People were attacking each other. There seems to be no reasoning with anyone when it comes to animal cruelty or neglect.
Animal advocates who defend innocent creatures are attacking people in the most cruel way. I can’t believe what I read. This isn’t the first nor the last case where people want others dead when it comes to animals.
These are real threats, in my mind. Aren’t social media sites monitoring their sites? I find it more troubling to read so much hatred, not only on animal sites, but in other forums, as well. I don’t know why our society thinks it’s ok to attack people on a daily basis.
People’s careers, school aspirations, personal lives, businesses, and livelihoods have been wrecked by social media sites. It only takes one person to start rumors to hurt a person.
Sometimes, we do need that information so we can close an animal rescue that hurts or takes advantage of taking donations without a cause.There are a plethora of fake animal rescues, transports that need to be reported. But, we need facts! If we have the facts, let them speak for themselves. Don’t use heresay or gossip and state it’s the truth.
If the manner in which people comment worsens, I see animal welfare imploding on itself. Where we will be then?
Wishing or wanting someone dead doesn’t resolve the problem. If anyone would say this in public, this would be considered a threat on someone’s life. Why isn’t it on social media?
To what heights will the comments climb? Can they go any higher? If so, what will be the end result? What if this woman is innocent, or at the least, not the only one responsible?
Social media is a wonderful tool to help animals but it can be used as a weapon to wreck someone’s life without having all of the facts.
What is the answer?
I see too many people talking smack on these sites. The rudeness and brashness is abundant and so out of hand. Nobody is stopping it. In fact, I think people encourage others to write like that.
Anything goes especially on social media. No one is stopping the carelessness of the comments. It is wrecking some animal rescues. It only takes one rumor and it can go viral. People believe what they read without having the lies backed up with the truth. It’s so wrong.
The woman from Happy Hounds left those puppies in a driveway. She was afraid the puppy had parvo and didn’t want the other dogs she was transporting to get it. So she let them out in the cold. I heard she’s leaving the business. I don’t see how she could continue anyway.
Social media sucks. People are rude, crude and obnoxious. It’s only showing how illiterate our people are and lack of respect for others. I’m sick of it.
Tubes in a row: Thats the internet.
People and animals in social media. Wow. Sometimes that combination is cruel in and of itself. I don’t like some people who are trying to help animals. They can become vicious if you say something they don’t like. They aren’t good representative for animals. No wonder people go to pet stores. I’ve dealt with some of the people in the animal world. No manners. Rude. Mean. Swear. I know they want what’s best for the animal but they don’t have to be nasty about it! Learn some manners. People think they can say whatever they want on social media and it doesn’t matter. It reflects poorly on the rescue and the person. Learn some freaking manners.
I’m a proud animal rights activist. I do YELL on social media but I don’t swear. Animals need voices to speak loudly for them. That’s what I do. I draw the line at death threats. That’s a huge no-no for me.