LOVE FOR ALL HUMAN AND ANIMAL SPECIES. THERE IS NO BOUNDARY.
What is the CATHOLIC CONCERN FOR ANIMALS -Cameroon?
The CATHOLIC CONCERN FOR ANIMALS- Cameroon is a charity and Environmental organization abbreviated (CCA-Cam) in Cameroon founded in 2008 and duly registered in the same year with the Reg. No SW/GP02/08/6729.
It is neither a Catholic Organization nor does it have any affiliations with any Catholic agencies. We are a group of altruists from various professional and religious backgrounds who are bonded together by the love for animals and the protection of our environment.
Where is the CCA –Cam located? The CCA- Cam is located in Bonadikombo – Mile four Fako–Division, Limbe – South West Region of Cameroon
What is the website of CCA – Cam? You can find the website of the organization at www.cca-cam.org
Who is the founder of the organization? The founder and president of CCA- Cam is Dr. Philip Tah Fon. He can be reached via email: philip@cca-cam.org or via phone +2376765072596 whatsapp: + 237650727596
What is the scope of work of the CCA-Cam? Our work spans animal welfare, climate change, environment protection, effective altruism, sustainable agriculture through plant based systems.
What we believe: We strongly believe that God created all things both animate and inanimate things. That He created man in his own image. The concept of man being created in the image of God does not refer to physical attributes. It rather refers to the fact that humans have the capacity to reflect God’s love and compassion. Humans have been given stewardship over the things God created. We resent and disapprove of any forms of animal cruelty and suffering caused by humans across the world.
We believe that everything that has life including animals is sentient. As such animals should be treated equally on grounds of social justice, respect and compassion.
Great historic figures and philosophers had shown respect for animals and espoused the same sentiments about our attitude towards the non – human creatures.
Immanuel Kant the great philosopher asserts that “the only reason we should avoid being cruel to animal is that in doing so we might develop cruel habits that we would use on other people.”
The Great Indian Leader Mahatma Gandhi was quoted as saying that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress is measured by the way its animal are treated.” He further maintained that “I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man and I abhor vivisection with my whole soul.”
Above all else consider what the Late Pope Francis I declared in one of his encyclicals “Laudato Si” that every act of cruelty toward any creature is contrary to human dignity.
What are some of the rights all animals species are entitled to?
- The right to be protected by law
- The right to be treated from animal health problems
- The right to be treated with respect and dignity
- The right to a shelter
- The right to be provided with good food and clean water
- The right to engage in their natural behavior
How animals species are denied their rights: Human beings from every corner of the earth bear full responsibility for preventing animals from enjoying their God-given rights. Many animal species have been relentlessly hunted and their populations have dwindled so much so that some of them have been declared by IUNC as critically endangered e.g Pangolins, Cross River Gorillas, Drills, Mandrills.
Factory farming has been recognized as one of the most inhuman acts of cruelty. When for example thousands of hens on industrial farms are confined in tiny cages with five to ten chickens per cage, the cramped cages prevent them from bathing in dust which is a crucial activity for maintaining cleanliness and health or from nesting.
Also pigs are put into gestation crates or cages which are too tiny for them to turn around. This causes them to suffer severe psychological trauma including urinary track infection and lameness.
Self examination: In the light of all that has been said can we humans claim that we are good stewards of God’s creation? The answer is NO.
So what’s the way forward? How can we change our mindset towards animal species in general? By looking at the GOAL, VISION, and MISSION STATEMENT of CCA – Cam and join us in our campaign and advocacy to stop animal cruelty around your community especially through humane education of the general public.
Vision: To create a holistic society where all animals are treated equally
Mission statement: To enhance the lives of animals such as dogs, cats puppies horse cows, donkeys in need and enrich their lives.
Simple strategies to adopt: Do not throw stones at dogs, cats, build a small shelter for dogs or cats, vaccinate your dog in an animal clinic, love your pets and through this act of love and concern doing you will cause them to reciprocate their love for you.
When you do these to them, you avoid getting bitten by dogs or cats. Consequently, you also avoid having rabies.
Remember that animals and men live in close proximity, so we must figure out ways by which we may make them feel the warmth of our relationship and feel loved.
The CCA-Cam supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and we ensure that all our activities reflect some of these goals such as Life on Land, Life under water, Zero hunger through alternative proteins, Climate change and Environmental health etc.
Thank you