ANIMAL ABUSE It is a well-known fact that every day in all over the world, animals are beaten or forced to struggle for survival. In fact, some heartless people left in unsanitary conditions with no food or water. Therefore, animals have little hope as they live out their days without the compassion they deserve. Fortunately, some are found and rescued. In addition they are given the chance to experience how great life and humans can be; However, others aren't so lucky. As I see it, to grow as a nation, we must fight for these abused animals' rights and severely punish heartless owners. It is up to us to speak for these creatures who lack a voice. Mainly, one of the first steps in protecting animals and ¬creating effective cruelty laws against animal abuse. In fact, there are two categories: passive cruelty and active cruelty. The first ¬involves acts of omission, meaning the abuse happens as a result of lack of action. It is clear to me that passive cruelty might seem less serious, but that is not the case; it can lead to terrible pain and suffering, and eventually death. Actually, there are some examples such as starvation as well as dehydration and untreated parasite infestations, inadequate shelter in extreme weather conditions, and the failure to get medical care as well. Active cruelty, on the other hand, is more well-known and disturbing. This type of abuse involves intentionally inflicting harm on an animal in order to feel more powerful. I would to highlight that active cruelty against animals should be taken very seriously, because it can be a sign that a person has serious psychological issues and may commit more acts of violence – possibly against humans as well. As I see it, here are plenty of things everyday citizens can do. The simplest action is for people to take care of their own pets and learn the facts so they can educate others on suitable animal care. Another easy way to help is by donating to or volunteering at a local animal shelter. Contrary to popular belief, volunteering doesn't require a lot of time; simply going in a few hours a week helps tremendously. Finally, by writing letters you can remind your local lawmakers that animal abuse is a real problem that needs to be addressed. Taking a few minutes to support this worthy cause not only helps animals, but also it allows you to feel proud about standing up for something so important to society. To sum up, it is our job to be the voice for creatures who cannot speak up for themselves.