Here's a reason to celebrate you guys! Belgium announced a ban on the import of hunting trophies from endangered or imperiled species. This ban will prevent hunting trophies from Africa's most imperiled species from entering the country. Not only will the ban prevent trophies from coming in, it acts as a natural deterrent from participating in trophy hunting excursions. This ban works towards protecting Africa's endangered species from continued hunting that is putting them further at risk of inevitable extinction. 

Trophy hunting has always been an abomination and an abuse of our power. We call ourselves the ultimate species on this planet, and instead of using our tools for good, we create weapons, fly to other countries, and stalk, shoot, and kill innocent animals for fun. Our sense of entitlement to whatever it is on this planet we desire is frightening and the exact reason our planet is suffering tremendously right now. We are in the midst of a large extinction crisis and despite this, trophy hunting and sport hunting persevere.  We are sick, and this sickness that justifies whatever disgusting antics we engage in is the reason plants, birds, aquatic creatures, and animals on our planet are under an intense struggle for survival. As far as humanity is concerned, animals are owed nothing on this planet as it belongs solely and entirely to us.

I always say this but let's not forget that at one point, elephants were abundant. Giraffes were flourishing, rhinos were plentiful, etc. Now, here we are witnessing their extinction one by one and we continue to turn a blind eye to the real problems which are all traced back to us. When do we stop? When there's literally no animals left outside of factory farmed livestock and animals behind bars in zoos? We've wiped out so many species over the years through our complete lack of compassion & empathy and at this rate, we will wipe out so many more species. Trophy hunting is one of the only things we can control entirely and that's why I support an International ban on this industry. We should not be profiting off of the extinction of a species.

Learn more through the link from World Animal News at the top of this post!

​worldanimalnews.com/south-korea-officially-bans-the-dog-meat-industry-with-historic-vote/

The ban will come in to force within 6 months, allowing a 3 year phase out and making it officially illegal by 2027 to breed dogs for consumption, house dogs for consumption, slaughter dogs, or consume them. This phase out will be supported by the South Korean government, offering farmers subsidies and grants to transition their farms to other farming opportunities, which include chilis, parsley, and other livelihoods. During this transitional period, Humane Society International is urging the South Korean Government to work with animal rescue organizations to save as many dogs as possible. As stated, a whopping million dogs every year are killed for their meat, and this transitional period will see that continue without the rescue efforts of animal organizations.

The dog meat industry has long been one that has faced International pressures. The Chinese Yulin Dog Festival is one that draws international disgust every year, and I believe, brought the horrors of the dog meat industry to the forefront. The images of dogs being burned, beaten, and everything in between, are horrifying and hard to believe, as it's almost unfathomable that one would consume dogs or cats. But, traditions exist all over our planet that some of us might be horrified by, the consumption of dog / cat meat is no different. With that being said, some traditions need to be buried in our history and the horrendous dog meat industry is one of them.

Huge congratulations to the people of South Korea, animal advocacy groups, and the South Korean government, for taking a stand for innocent animals and ending the horrors of the dog meat industry within the country. Learn more by clicking the link at the top of this post to the original story from World Animal News.