Do Animals Have Disability Rights?

Hi folks! With National Pet Month around the corner, I decided to learn more about pets with disabilities. As a pet lover, I was particularly interested in how you help pets with disabilities live good and healthy lives, but I must admit it was difficult to find materials on this topic! I also found in researching I had to search for specific pets, and more places popped up about dogs than cats. I knew that animals are also prone to accidents, losing limbs, going deaf or blind, and a host of other ailments, and I was interested in what kind of assistance or treatment is available in such instances. Another burning question arose of would you help your pet if you couldn’t afford it? There are some veterinarian groups that will help in funding as well as some private individual organizations, but far and few between.

A small pig uses a hind-end wheelchair to get around.

I don’t have a definitive answer for every question that came up, but I did find a wonderful New York Times article by Neil Genzlinger called “The Lives of Animals, Disabled and Otherwise” that mentioned some great organizations and provided a glimpse into the world of animals with disabilities. The article explores the television programs “My Bionic Pet,” “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet,” and “Inside Animal Minds,” which each offer a different perspective on pets and other animals, with and without disabilities. What these programs failed to address, however, were the costs involved in treating and caring for animals coping with a variety of hardships, especially in light of the many humans with disabilities who can't secure adequate healthcare and safety.

A rabbit using a similar hind-end wheelchair

I think it is clear to me that people with any kind of pet, see their pet as part of their family, and the thought of losing them is unacceptable. No matter the cost, we look for answers and solutions. We reach out to any methods of care available.

Researchers are also seeking to understand animal intelligence, and I for one see intelligence in so many of Earth’s animals. Some are loyal to their families, some mate for life, others make for very loving pets. In any case scientists keep striving to understand those inner secrets.

Bella, a llama with a prosthetic leg

So, how far are you willing to go? I say choose your battles and campaigns, give where you can, and have compassion. There are organizations willing to help if that’s what you choose to do. All in all, the phenomenon of disabled animals is a complicated subject.

Regardless of your perspective on the matter, we hope you will join us for our Pet Portrait Pop-Up Art Show at Fast Folks Cyclery coming up on Saturday, May 5th, from 12-4 PM! We will have 30 original pet portraits on display for this free one-day art exhibition, so you don't want to miss out!