DEAR READERS: An article entitled "The Development of Speciesism: Age-Related Differences in the Moral View of Animals" by British researchers Luke McGuire, Sally Palmer and Nadira S. Faber was recently published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. The authors summarized their findings as follows:

"Humans care for the well-being of some animals (e.g., dogs) yet tacitly endorse the maltreatment of others (e.g., pigs). What treatment is deemed morally appropriate for an animal can depend on whether the animal is characterized as 'food.' When such categorization of animals emerges and when a moral hierarchy of beings depending on their species membership (speciesism) develops is poorly understood. We investigate this development across samples of children (9–11 years old), young adults (18–21 years old), and adults (29–59 years old) ... Compared with young adults and adults, children A. show less speciesism, B. are less likely to categorize farm animals as food than pets, C. think farm animals ought to be treated better, and D. deem eating meat and animal products to be less morally acceptable. These findings imply that there are key age-related differences in our moral view of an animal's worth that point to socially constructed development over the lifespan."

Evidently, the missing link between the fully human and all other animals has been discovered. It is the most carnivorous, invasive, cruel and murderous of all the primate species: It is us. The chimeric, bipolar nature of this modern protohuman psyche, from rescuer to rapist, healer to harmer and artist to autocrat, is a product of familial and cultural epigenetics, for better and for worse.

Cruelty toward animals in childhood has been linked to sociopathic and psychopathic violence in adulthood. But the best of human nature can be nurtured and inspired by humane education and example. Planting the seeds of compassion and empathy in childhood, facilitated by living with an animal companion like a loyal and loving dog, can do much to help us evolve into a more civilized species.

Children need help as they grow up in a culture of violence toward nature; they must learn how they can make a difference and not become desensitized to, or accepting of, cultural "norms" of inhumanity, speciesism and racism.

Several universities are now offering courses in humane education, with one -- Antioch University, in partnership with the Institute for Humane Education -- offering online graduate programs in the subject. (The creator of some of these programs, Zoe Weil, is also the author of the bestseller "The World Becomes What We Teach.") For details, visit antioch.edu/academics/education/humane-education-ma.

To realize that we are all part of the cosmic miracle of life and consciousness puts the significance of our individual existence in the broader dimension of awakening our sense of kinship with all life necessary to transcend self-centeredness and anthropocentrism. Empathic sensitivity and ethical sensibility may then arise spontaneously, reducing the need for moral instruction and law enforcement.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just wanted to point out a pretty major reason that shelters are overflowing with pets turned in or returned: the insanity of rental prices around the country. In West Palm Beach, where I live, people are stuck with rent increases of up to 50%, and hardly any inventory even if you can pay that!

Besides rent itself, pet policies in rental housing are also a problem. I know of at least one apartment complex that just changed their policy, out of the blue, to $100 per pet, per month. A woman who had adopted two feral kittens from me had to give them up. -- G.C., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR G.C.: I am appalled by this evidence of pure greed that puts companion animals at risk of having to be separated from their owners and put up for adoption. How degenerate as a culture can we become?

Indeed, KC Pet Project, a Kansas City, Missouri, animal rescue organization, has seen a huge spike in people surrendering their companion animals. One reason is that there aren't enough affordable apartments that accept pets, said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at the nonprofit. Some landlords who do accept dogs still ban certain breeds or sizes, Fugate said, or refuse to rent to someone evicted from a previous apartment. KC Pet Project offers fostering and works with local groups on food and housing assistance. (Full story: KSHB-TV, Kansas City, April 18)

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: The current coronavirus pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for over 6 million deaths worldwide and millions of other people with chronic health consequences.

Some virologists contend that scientists genetically engineered this virus to have a "gain in function" -- that is, to become more contagious -- which is a common step in the vaccine development process. But its most likely original source is from infected animals being handled and killed for human consumption in live markets where cold storage is not available.

My main concern is that agencies have not yet taken any significant steps to prevent future pandemics from zoonotic (animal-to-human) diseases by seeking international prohibitions on wildlife trade and live markets. We must also seek a rapid phasing-out of CAFOs (confined animal feed operations, or factory farms), especially of pigs, poultry and COVID-19-susceptible mink. Deer and "trophy" game operations, especially of white-tail deer, who are very susceptible to this virus, are also on the list. New zoonotic diseases will evolve, which will not be prevented by our current vaccines.

Let us hope that the bipartisan legislation introduced in November 2021 by U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Rob Portman to combat international wildlife trafficking and strengthen interagency efforts to tackle the issue will be quickly passed.

We humans must, as a population of nearly 8 billion (which many ecologists see as a global infestation), change our eating and breeding habits. We can begin with better family planning and the rapid adoption of nutritious plant-based diets to reduce our depredation and dependence on animals, wild and domesticated, as a source of food. The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is now also urging adoption of plant-based diets as a significant step to help reduce climate change.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just want to ask if you can help me with my pit bull, who has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. She is 11 years old and weighs about 48 pounds. She is on pain meds, antibiotics and nausea medicine, and she loves to ride in the car and be held.

I would like to know what I should feed her and how I can get her to drink water. The vet said she only has a week or so left, but she is not giving up, and I'm not going to, either. -- M.R., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR M.R.: I am saddened to hear about the plight of your canine companion. In my opinion, more might be done to improve her condition, including intravenous and subcutaneous administration of electrolytes. Given under the skin, such treatment is a cheap and effective form of dialysis for dogs and cats with failing kidneys.

For more, see this article on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/care-for-dogs-cats-with-chronic-kidney-disease.

Keep me posted as to your progress. Above all, provide lots of TLC and a gentle full-body massage twice daily, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs."

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I am concerned about free-roaming cats in our communities here in Minnesota. I spoke to a person at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, who said that stray, free-roaming and feral cats are not regarded as an invasive species because they are a domesticated animal. I was told they were the responsibility of the Board of Animal Health.

What is your opinion on this? I know one past member of the board (a veterinarian), who was an advocate of trapping, neutering and releasing these animals, calling them "community cats." -- J.H., Minneapolis, Minnesota

DEAR J.H.: This statement by a Minnesota DNR staffer is an example of the biological illiteracy of this and other state wildlife "management" agencies. Nonnative species of plants and animals that are domesticated are damaging natural ecosystems around the world, along with deliberately released and escapee nonnative wild species (like the pythons in Florida).

With climate change, many ecosystems are in flux. Because of these vulnerabilities and uncertainties, it is imperative that invasive nonnative species, be they wild or domesticated, be identified and humanely controlled to help maintain the integrity of indigenous species populations and ecosystem health.

Another reason some government departments refuse to accept that domestic cats are a damaging invasive species is their close alliances with the livestock industry. The invasive grazing of cattle and sheep into wildlife habitats and public lands, coupled with indiscriminate predator control by state and federal agencies, cannot be denied. Nor can the fact that, like the domestic cat, these farmed animals spread various diseases to wildlife while competing for food. It is time to change from "managing" wildlife as a resource to stewarding wildlife -- maximizing biodiversity and ecosystem health. That includes preventing domesticated animals like cats from becoming invasive species.

In established urban communities around the world, cats -- and dogs, to some degree -- have roamed free for centuries, often being fed by well-meaning residents. Such feeding means more offspring and ever-more suffering until effective TNVR -- trap, neuter/spay, vaccinate and release -- programs are established. Volunteers can still provide food and veterinary care, when feasible, for injured and sick animals.

But this not the only solution to the problem of free-roaming, stray and/or feral cats and dogs. The practice of TNVE/A -- trap, neuter/spay, vaccinate, enclose OR adopt out (rehome or put in foster care) should take priority over releasing such animals, especially in rural and suburban communities where many wild, native species are at risk from cat predation. Cats also pose a risk to public health from rabies and other communicable diseases they may carry and transmit to humans, livestock and wildlife.

As for cats helping control rats, that myth has finally been put to rest. They do control mice, but not adult rats, according to recent in-field research. (See "Cats Are No Match for New York City's Rats" by Sarah Zhang for The Atlantic, Sept. 18, 2018.)

Every municipality now has ordinances prohibiting dog owners from allowing their canine companions to roam free off their property, and the same principle should be applied to owned cats. It is a matter of public health, wildlife protection and the welfare of the cats themselves.

AVMA COLORING BOOK: HELP KIDS STAY SAFE AROUND DOGS

National Dog Bite Prevention Week was April 10 through April 16. A fun way to educate children about preventing dog bites is with the AVMA's bilingual activity book, "Doggie Do's and Don'ts." You can download it for free and print some (or all) of the pages as coloring sheets. They're great for veterinarians to have in their clinics. Learn more at the following link: ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=210.

MORE ANIMAL CONCERNS IN UKRAINE

Shelling by the Russian army has so damaged the enclosures of large predators at a zoo in Kharkiv, Ukraine, that staff are worried they could escape. Feldman Ecopark may have to euthanize bears, large cats and other animals if they can't find them temporary housing, the zoo's founder said. (Full story: Business Insider, April 6)

This debacle -- with little coverage of the plight of the unavoidably abandoned, neglected and terrorized farm animals -- is a blight on our humanity, calling for more effective and immediate intervention by the unified democracies of the world.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)