Compassion in Action by Scotlund Haisley

Author:Scotlund Haisley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2016-07-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

A BROADER REACH

My goal continues to be abolishing cages and breaking chains, both physical and metaphorical. I have a deep respect for all life—all beings. As I mentioned earlier, at the time I was considering entering the field of animal protection, I also gave considerable thought to the field of child protection. I could see myself investigating cases of child abduction and the international trafficking of children. I mention that to make the point yet again that I do not differentiate between levels of lives. I don’t believe we have to choose between the protection of animals and the protection of children. There should be enough compassion among us to make humane choices for all. I am often asked why I put so much effort into animals when I could help people. This question arises from a hierarchical view of the world. I set high standards for the protection and care of animals because their lives deserve respect and justice. In just the same manner, if I ran a homeless shelter or human protection organization, it would have the highest standards of care.

At WARL I conceived of a shelter that established a new standard in animal care, which rapidly became a model that other communities and rescue organizations studied and sometimes emulated. From that vantage point, I found it a good time to look back, to contemplate my journey so far, and consider next steps—for me, of course, but also for the cause of animal protection. We had demonstrated, with WARL, that one shelter, driven by compassion, high standards, and humane philosophies, could affect a city. But how, I asked myself, do you change a country?

It had now been more than fifteen years since I became an animal control officer. I had worked on more than a few cases of large-scale animal suffering. I had come to appreciate every opportunity to be a leader in order to end suffering. I appreciated the chance to share my compassion with like-minded people—and even to convey my inspiration with people who weren’t necessarily like-minded. My life’s experiences and my street smarts had given me the capacity and ability to push through things, to adapt to almost any situation. I have spoken to drug addicts, using my story to assist them in changing their lives. I have spoken to businesspeople, striving to impart some creative thinking and strategies they could apply to their work. I have spoken to children, some who were in school and some who were already in trouble. I speak to donors, who share my compassion, because they believe in my work and want to support my cause.

Despite some of the hardships I have experienced throughout my years, I maintain a positive outlook on life. I am not fond of complainers, people who use the words “can’t,” “don’t,” “won’t,” or “impossible.” If you use those kinds of defeatist words with me, I won’t argue with you. More than likely, I go vacant. We all have moments when we don’t know if we can accomplish a task in front of us.

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