Animals are important for many people. We value them and treat them with kindness and love.

However, not everyone feels this way. There are people who exploit animals for profit. There are many issues surrounding the mass production of animals, specifically those who live in factory farms.

Even those animals that we really connect with such as dogs and cats face danger if people don’t speak up. Animal abuse is around us all the time.

Factory farms house a variety of animals including turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows and the list goes on. These animals are locked up and sometimes killed in inhumane ways, which have been documented.

Now, some may say it is because humans need protein but according to WebMD, animal products could lead to heart disease due to cholesterol. However, it is not just farm animals that need help. Dogs need help too.

The definition of a puppy mill from the ASPCA is “a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.” These dogs are mass producing offspring for the enjoyment of people just so they can watch a puppy grow. According to dosomething.org, only one out of every 10 dogs will find a permanent home. Eventually these pets who had homes will end up on the street and go to an animal shelter. Due to the high numbers of animal homelessness, the dogs that don’t get rehomed will be put down at most shelters.

So why do animals matter? Well, producing farm animals in the masses is using valuable natural resources such as forests and water. According to onegreenplanet.org, the mass consumption of meat means we always need more. If we run out of room in facilities, we need a new one plus more grazing room for that cow.

Corn is commonly found in animal feed because it is cheap. However, hunger is a huge issue for many Americans. Worldhunger.org estimates that one out of seven households don’t have enough food to feed their family. Sustainabletable.org has concluded that 60 percent of corn produced in the United States is used for livestock feed. Now I am not saying that corn is the answer for solving hunger, but it puts consumption in a new perspective.

So how do we fix these issues? Simple: Limit or cut off your meat intake and live a plant-based life. It is easier than one thinks. I do not want to offend any meat eaters, I just think it’s something that is good to talk about. The benefits of not eating meat have been researched over and over and, if you have time, I recommend checking these benefits out.

Conserving the planet is important, so an easy way to help is by simply not eating meat.

Another way to help is to adopt pets from your local shelter. My dog is adopted and he is the best.

Like many dogs, he was abused and left for dead on the streets. Adopting a dog is very fulfilling, especially because they are given a new chance at life. I could talk about my dog all day, but I will spare you from that conversation.

Do not buy pets that you cannot afford. I see Facebook posts about this all the time. People will post pictures of their puppy who is older and needs more time, attention and money and say they are trying to find a new home for it. This goes for all animals that a person can purchase. They are a commitment and if you are not 100 percent sure you can give that time and money, don’t buy one.

It is time to break that stereotype that all animal advocates have to boycott local grocery stores. It’s easier to help animals and our environment by just spreading the word and bringing facts to people who disagree.

Beck Devine is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]