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The Undesirable Effects we experience are just Symptoms
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Striking at the ROOTS
“There are a thousand hacking at the
branches of evil to one who is striking at the
root”
Henry David Thoreau
The Undesirable Effects we experience are just Symptoms
We must understand the Core Problems that lead to the
Symptoms
We must determine the Root Causes of those Core Problems
If we wish to find Sustainable Solutions, we must address the
Root Causes.
Most of our Efforts are directed at Fixing Symptoms
The Path of Least Resistance
• Immediate Need: Emotional Gratification from Visible and Tangible results
• Narrow Focus• Short-Term Goals
“Fire-fighting”, actions focused on symptoms, are short-term tactics, and do not address underlying,
chronic causes
Symptoms: Fires we’re Fighting
• Rescuing and Homing animals already in the system addresses the symptom of the growing population of unwanted animals
• Rehabilitating animals who have been neglected or abused addresses the symptoms of ignorance and insensitivity
• Holding Mass Sterilisations addresses the symptom of the growing population of unwanted animals
• Euthanizing animals in Shelters addresses the symptom of inadequate resources and growing population of unwanted animals
• Convicting people of animal-related crimes addresses the symptom of lawlessness
…but the underlying causes are not addressed!
Let’s examine the Root Causes of the Core Problems we have…
Understanding Active and Passive Cause
• Active Causes are Actions taken that have an observable effect
• Passive Causes are Conditions that exist that enable or allow the Action to be taken
Action or Decision
Condition that must be in place
Absence of Intervention
Active Cause Passive Causes
Effect
For Example:
Animals mate People’s
Animals are unsterilised
There is no law against private
breeding
Active Cause Passive Causes
More unwanted animals
SYMPTOM: Euthanasia of
Animals in Shelters
PROBLEM: Too Many Unwanted Animals
ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate
Breeding
PROBLEM: Insufficient Resources
ROOT CAUSE: No legislation
regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
SYMPTOM: Increased Neglect and Cruelty
towards animals
PROBLEM: Ignorance of Laws and Cultural
Prejudice
ROOT CAUSE: Cultural
Preconceptions
PROBLEM: Lack of
Resources
ROOT CAUSE: Lack of
Education
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities
PROBLEM: Inadequate Policing
and Legislation
ROOT CAUSE: Limited
specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven
by outdated thinking
SYMPTOM: Disease and Health Risk
PROBLEM: Poor Retailer
practices
PROBLEM: Poor welfare
practices
ROOT CAUSE: Lack of
Education
ROOT CAUSE: Lack of
ResourcesROOT CAUSE: Profit Motive
What can we change? Sphere of InfluenceOutside the circle: Area beyond our control or influence Area we can
influence collectively
Area we can influence
individually
Area we can control
Our GREATEST influence is as a Collective!
ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate
Breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No legislation
regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
ROOT CAUSE: Cultural
Preconceptions
ROOT CAUSE: Lack of
Education
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities
ROOT CAUSE: Limited
specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven
by outdated thinking
Change What, and How?
ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate
Breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No legislation
regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
ROOT CAUSE: Cultural
Preconceptions
ROOT CAUSE: Lack of
Education
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities
ROOT CAUSE: Limited
specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven
by outdated thinking
Change What, and How?
EDUCATION
ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate
Breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No legislation
regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE: Limited
specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven
by outdated thinking
Change What, and How?
ENGAge and lobby
government
ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate
Breeding
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE: Limited
specialised Police Force
Change What, and How?
Create inspectorates
ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient
private sector support
ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions
Change What, and How?
OUTSIDE of our Control
?
Strategies impacting Root Causes
• Breeding Regulations • Education (in Schools,
Institutions)• Better Legislation• Specialised Inspectors /
Policing
…the long-term fixes are NOT within the scope of the individual organisation…
…giving rise to the need for a COLLECTIVE that can supply skills and resources and speak
with ONE VOICE.
