Sadly, I must agree with your premise. Humans do not have the right to use animals for any purpose, including that of having a pet. In the best of all worlds, there would be places for all wild creatures to roam freely, safe from human intervention, cruelty and death-by-automobile. We would no longer breed any animal for our own greed, be that monitary, power or pleasure.

And thus the true dilemma...as long as there is humankind, there has been and always will be one of those forms of greed. We have never been able to erradicate abuse in our world (think child, partner, senior, animal abuse) and likely never will. This sad reality has smacked me and others like me in the face many a time. Having worked for and with human survivors of abuse for 20 years, however, I am also aware that we must never give in to the temptation of stopping our 'quest for hope' because we cannot see the end in sight. As a survivor of child abuse of every nature, I know how much power there is in just one kind gesture, word, act; it can mean the difference between hopelessness and life.

I must apply that concept to our relationship with animals, as well. Perhaps an outward expression of love towards an abused and abandoned creature will give it the sense that there is hope ahead. That means we must never stop reaching out, doing battle for, and taking in these wonderful critters. No matter that the unscrupulous in the world will never quit, no matter that we cannot free all the helpless ones from their lives of horror, we who do not live by greed can still give life and love to as many as we may touch in our own time. Once again, I say sadly (or is that selfishly happily??) this means I will never lack for a wonderful companion to share my home and life with.