How can we make the world better for nonhuman animals? The state of the animals 2017.

Last week I posted an essay called "How to Give Dogs the Best Lives Possible in a Human World" in which researchers and trainers weighed in on how we can make the world better for dogs. This idea was originally posted by Dr. Zazie Todd on her informative website, Companion Animal Psychology.

I decided to play off this theme and generalized the question to read, "How can we make the world better for nonhuman animals?" I asked members of my "Animal cognition, animal emotions, and compassionate conservation" group, an international array of people with diverse interests, to respond in 12 or fewer words. I chose the number of words based on a wonderful book called The Best Advice in Six Words edited by Larry Smith for which numerous other people and I were asked to write six and only six words of advice, nothing more and nothing less. At first, I thought it would be easy, but it took me a while to come up with something with which I was happy. Others also were fooled by Mr. Smith's seemingly "simple" request.

Here are some of the responses, in alphabetical order, from people with very different backgrounds and interests. They make for a unique, fascinating, and wide-ranging read on different ways to make the world better for nonhuman animals.

Some repeated themes from a unique and diverse international audience.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. A number of repeated themes emerged from these one-liners, and of course, there's considerable overlap among them. I'm pleased to note that these responses come from a very diverse audience of people from different countries, some of whom make their livings studying other animals or working on their behalf, and others who really and truly care about the state of the animals in 2017 and do all they can when they are able to do so for other animals and their homes. Everyone single individual can make a difference.

Repeated themes include: there are too many people; we should consider becoming vegans and pay to who we eat; we need to save habitats save habitats and animals' homes; humane education is key as is compassionate conservation based on the principles "First do no harm" and the lives of all individuals matter; all individuals need to be respected; silence is deadly; maintaining hope in difficult times; animals aren't objects; we need to give serious attention to "the golden rule"; we need to try to take animals point of view; coexistence has to be our goal; sentience is critical to consider when we decide how to treat other animals; it's important to maintain biodiversity; hierarchies in which we place ourselves on the top and separate from other animals don't work; human superiority, exceptionalism, and domination are the wrong ways to go; the importance of rewilding nature and ourselves and of reconnecting with other nature; ; interfaith ; recognizing continuity between human and other animals; and there's a need for major reform across the board in venues in which animals are used and abused.

There's a lot of food for thought here for people studying nonhuman-human relationships, including conservation psychologists, sociologists, and anthrozoologists.

Let's stop pretending we don't know what other animals want and need: They do not want to suffer and die.

As a biologist, I realize there aren't "higher" and "lower" animals, and labels like higher and lower really don't mean anything at all and are frequently used to justify the mistreatment of "lower" animals because the word lower far too easily slides into "less intelligent," "less feeling," or "less valuable." So, are humans exceptional and unique? Yes, but so too are other animals. And, just like us, animals want to live in peace and safety so let's stop pretending we don't know what they want and need. They do not want to die and surely do not want to be subjected to brutal torture before they succumb.

Nonhumans clearly need much more respect, compassion, and Freedom (with a capital F). I often like to remind people of the late Gretchen Wyler's apt statement that "Cruelty can't stand the spotlight" and that nonhumans need the voice of every single person, each of whom can make positive differences in their lives. I also often go back to what I call the 12 Ps of rewilding (which began with only eight), namely, being proactive, positive, persistent, patient, peaceful, practical, powerful, passionate, playful, present, principled, and proud when working on behalf of other animals.

It's important to be nice and kind to those with whom you disagree and move on. Sometimes it's just better to let something go, so pick your "battles" carefully and don't waste time and energy. Don't waste time "fighting" people who won't change and don't let them deflect attention from the important work that needs to be done. Don't get in long drawn-out arguments with people who want you to waste precious time and energy fighting them, time and energy that must go into working for animals and earth and peace and justice. The bottom line is don't waste time bickering and keep moving forward.

And, while we're at it, let's be sure that youngsters know just what we are doing so they will model their behavior on ours and then, they too, can continue to do the good work that is necessary for our magnificent planet and for all beings to thrive and to look forward to, and joyously welcome in, many new days. Teach the children well, for they are the ambassadors for a more harmonious, peaceful, compassionate, and gentle world.

We are animals and therein lies hope for a better future for all.

It's clear that nonhumans need all the help they can get, and I learned a lot from reading the responses that came in and by rereading them many times. All in all, we can always do more for other animals and I hope that as we move into 2018, we will see further changes in how they are treated in the wide variety of venues in which billions are used and abused globally. And, the ideas presented above, are a solid launching pad from which we can and must do something for the fascinating animals with whom we share our magnificent planet.

I truly look forward to a significantly better and more hopeful state for the animals in 2018 and beyond, and for everyone who works to support other animals and their homes in an increasingly human-dominated world, I offer a heartfelt thank you.