Introduction to Animal Life Cycles:

All animals, including humans, are born, they get older and bigger and some will go on to have children. In the end, all animals die. We call this a life cycle. Animals are small when they start life. Over time they grow bigger and their bodies change. When they are grown up, they might reproduce and have young animals of their own. These children will get older and may eventually also have children too, and so the life cycle keeps going!

Finding ONENESS in all:

Biology means living beings and there are two types of living beings namely plants and animals.

All plants are similar since they have roots, stem, branches and leaves. They need sunlight, soil nutrients and water for their survival and growth.

Likewise all animals including humans have skin, eyes, mouth, nose, ears, hands and legs. Their basic needs are also the same like food, shelter and clothing ( particularly for humans ). All other needs are luxurious or additional ones. Hence we must live in harmony with each other and dedicate our life, for the sustenance and welfare of all living beings on earth. If not feeding the animals, one must completely avoid killing or harming animals.

Not killing (any living being) from the Thirukkural:

What is a righteous deed? Not killing. Killing leads to everything evil. 321

How are animals useful to humans:

From the dog sitting on your couch to the near-mythical narwhal in the depths of the Arctic Ocean, animals play a key role in environmental protection and human wellness. Let’s take a look at some of the miraculous ways animals help us.

1. Bees are powerful pollinators:

Did you know about one-third of the world’s food depends on pollination? Many of the earth’s plants—about 30% of the world’s crops and 90% of our wild plants—depend on these little heroes. As they buzz from plant to plant, bees are powerful pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem, so the next time you find a wildflower, you can thank a busy bee.

2. Beavers combat climate change:

These woodland creatures have proved incredibly adept at naturally regulating ecosystems. Their gnawing and damming reduce flooding and wildfire damage, preserve fish populations, and conserve freshwater reservoirs—key to combating the effects of climate change. So when it comes to much-needed river ecosystem regulation, leave it to the beavers.

3. Llamas patrol farms:

In addition to being a farm animal with a particularly low environmental impact and a sweet tooth for invasive weed species, llamas have also been found to be incredibly effective guard animals. Yes, guard llamas. These sociable creatures bond with herd animals, which makes them instinctively protective against predators and an invaluable asset to shepherds and ranchers.

4. Rats detect landmines:

Rats get a bad rap but with their keen sense of smell and trainability, they’ve been found to be exceptionally suited to work as landmine detectors. More efficient than metal detectors and cheaper than dogs, rats (nicknamed HeroRats) are being trained to sniff out landmines, allowing previously unusable land to once again be productive.

5. Squirrels help trees take root:

While you may know them as your neighborhood park dwellers, squirrels’ natural habitat is the forest where they play a major role as nature’s tree planters. These forgetful little creatures’ nut-gathering and storing have a big impact when their forgotten nut stashes take root and grow into the trees and forests that sustain our ecosystem.

6. Narwhals assist scientists:

Otherwise known as the “unicorns of the sea,” these deep divers are instrumental to NASA scientists’ tracking of temperature changes in Greenland’s arctic. Researchers have employed narwhals, fitted with radio transmitters, to collect data from the hard-to-reach depths of the Arctic on water salinity, temperature, and impact of the increasingly warm ocean water on Greenland’s glaciers.

7. Elephants create a source of water for other species:

Not only are they major tourist attractions for many countries who depend on this economic boost, the elephant is also one of the most intelligent animals on the planet and key to the biodiversity of its ecosystem. During dry seasons, elephants use their large tusks to dig for water—providing some much-needed relief from the heat for other animals.

8. Birds balance nature:

The ecological handyman, birds really do it all: from reforestation and seed pollination to pest control and soil fertilization. Whether in a forest, on a farm, or simply in a garden, these feathered friends play a vital role in keeping nature balanced and indicating when it’s not.

9. Octopi are avid recyclers:

An unlikely ally, octopi are resourceful creatures with a talent for recycling. They put their tentacles to work reusing and reducing waste through their creative use of glass containers, coconut shells, and other debris to create shelters. And while one man’s trash is an octopus’ treasure, we can all learn a little something about “reduce, reuse, recycle.”

10. Dogs do it all:

Dogs are considered by many to be humanity’s best friend for many reasons. From astute service dogs guiding those with visual impairments to loyal friends providing emotional support to search and rescue canines saving lives, this animal has broad positive effects on our world and well-being.

Animals do a lot for us!

Animals help humans in so many ways, from professional support (as guide dogs for the blind or as therapy dogs) or offering us love and companionship in our daily lives. Numerous studies have shown the positive effect animals have on both the physical and mental health of humans, which can be appreciated and used in many ways. Therefore, its important that we can offer something back to animals — and one of the best ways to give back is to save a life by adopting and animal from a shelter.

Whether they are dogs, cats, guinea pigs, monkeys, llamas, pigs or hens, animals help humans in countless vital ways. They often make a valuable contribution to human health and recovery – taking an important role, for example, in therapy and rehabilitation programmes. They have a positive effect on physical and mental health, they give us emotional support, they help prisoners adjust to a conflict-free life outside of prison, and can be a calm anchor in stressful situations. Animals reduce the fear of their owner in threatening situations; they guide the blind; they warn those in danger of diabetic or epileptic fits. Animals are our soulmates, helpers and friends.

In order to maintain or improve their health, people are sometimes encouraged (depending on personal circumstances) to adopt an animal. Slogans such as 'Get well, get a dog' not only sound charming, they are based on real science. For example, a recent Czech study 'Kardiozive Brno 2030' questioning 1700 people found that pet owners (especially dog ​​owners) are healthier than non-pet owners. The study compared the health of the cardiovascular system of dog owners with non-dog owners. The co-author of the study highlighted that dog owners were generally more physically active than their dog-less counterparts. In addition, they ate healthier and had a better blood sugar level.

The Animal Assisted Intervention programme of FOUR PAWS proves that even former stray dogs can be an immense asset to the society. They are selected, trained and certified by experts to become therapy dogs which help children for example. This programme is of benefit for people and animals.

Conclusion:

Animals help us – let us help animals

We must be aware of the responsibility we have towards our soulmates, friends and helpers. This responsibility does not only include meeting the needs of the animals each and every day. It also means making a well-considered decision for adopting an animal and to guarantee a forever home for them, because, already shelters are overrun with many others desperate for homes.

In the United States alone, each year around 6.5 million animals are taken to shelters, and less that half of these, just 3.2 million, get adopted. In 2017, 18,385 thousand animals were taken into Swiss shelters, and just 12,123 animals were adopted. German animal shelters receive more than 300,000 dogs, cats, small mammals, birds and exotic animals every year. Only 100,000 cats are the lucky ones who find a new forever home.

ADOPTION IS THE BEST WAY:

If you want a companion animal in your life. Adoption relieves animal shelters, minimises the online trade of animals, counters disreputable breeding of animals, and offers animals a new beginning in a new forever home. If you decide on a life with a dog, cat or small mammal, then your hearts and consciences must lead to the animal shelter.

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