What impact can YOU have on the betterment of small pet care?
I was having a conversation with someone recently about how it can seem so daunting to suddenly LEAP into the ethical care world and be overwhelmed by how normalized improper care is by mainstream pet brands. And how much hamsters and other small pets are viewed as a "casual pet" in comparison to dogs or cats which have been domesticated for 96 TIMES the amount that hamsters and many other small animals have been.
Many of you may wonder what is the most meaningful way that someone can be an active participant in seeing the ethical care standards change, so here are a few ways YOU can make a difference.
#1 Post. Post. Post.
Just post, don't be afraid that your follower count isn't "enough" or that you aren't enough of an "influencer". The more examples of ethical small animal care we can get into mainstream media, the more we can shift the narrative. For too long, companies have profited by marketing small animals as “easy starter pets,” making improper care seem normal or “good enough.” The more people see proper care represented, the more we can challenge that standard and show that it is NORMAL that these animals deserve better.
#2 Call it when you see it, but more importantly-- be KIND
If you see someone practicing unethical care, it's okay to let them know that something is off, but keep in mind: we only know what we know. A lot of people start with bad information because pet stores and companies taught them wrong. Kind, educational conversations usually create more change than making people feel embarrassed. Nobody's understanding of ethical care was something that just came immediately, so be patient with people, try to remember the time when you first learned of this and how you would want to be approached.
#3 Support ethical small businesses
Where people spend money matters. Supporting businesses, creators, and educators who prioritize animal welfare helps push the industry away from unsafe “starter pet” products.
Here's some other quick things you can do to take part in the ethical care community:
-Stop promoting unsafe viral content
-Encourage researching before getting a hamster
-Leave helpful reviews on products that explain to others if something is or isn't safe
-Be willing to keep learning yourself
The biggest catalyst for change is leading by example and no platform is too small to do that!
