DEAR READERS: More than 500 wolves have been killed recently in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, jeopardizing a long-term ecosystem research project in Yellowstone National Park. The project was "one of the best models for understanding the behaviors and dynamics of a wolf population unexploited by humans," said National Park Service wildlife biologist Doug Smith, who added that researchers are trying to salvage "what we have left of it." (Full story: Science, Jan. 31)

This is, unfortunately, not the only distressing news item about wolves of late. Back in February, a federal judge in California ordered the gray wolf back under the safeguards of the Endangered Species Act. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice is appealing this federal court ruling. The Biden administration's commitment to addressing biodiversity and conservation is clearly now in question.

Wolves are more than just another endangered species. They are sentient beings, like us, with families, social bonds, emotional intelligence and instinctual and learned survival skills. Having raised their cubs during my research into canid behavior, I have come to know and respect them, and I enjoy their trust and affection. But wolves do not make appropriate pets, nor do most wolf-dog hybrids, the breeding of which I advise against.

Those who do not see wolves as sacred, or at least as kindred spirits in many ways, must step out of the confines of anthropocentrism. Then we may save the wolves from extinction, along with our own humanity. Where there is collective existential ignorance, nature becomes our nemesis. Where there is respect for all life, nature becomes our apotheosis.

Until ranchers, hunters and others stop justifying their persecution of and endless war against wolves, perhaps we will always be at war with each other.

The end of objectifying and exploiting others, human or nonhuman, comes with the cultivation of empathy and compassion. These are the hallmarks of a civilized society and of a more evolved human species. Those who love to be in nature but also love to kill for sport pervert and demean the beauty and power of the natural world -- a world in which they could, if they chose, find infinitely greater satisfaction and fulfillment. A camera is a good substitute for hunting gear.

In protecting wolves and conserving their habitats, we rise to the challenge of responsible planetary stewardship. Where there is no sense of kinship with other beings, we can kill with equanimity. Encouraging a sense of kinship with all life should be an essential part of every child's education.

"Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness" is the fitting inscription on the Christopher Award I was given for my children's book "The Wolf." I pray that the spirit of the wolves and the wild will light everyone's candle and illuminate our passion to protect, conserve and love without limits.

BAN WILDLIFE KILLING CONTESTS ON FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS

I encourage my readers to voice their support for H.R. 7398: the Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act of 2022. Every year, bobcats, coyotes, foxes and other wildlife are targeted in cruel and senseless wildlife killing contests. Participants compete to kill the most animals for cash and prizes. Hundreds of animals may fall victim, and are typically discarded like trash after the prizes are awarded. For details, go to projectcoyote.org.

These targeted species, regarded as "varmints" by those who enjoy killing them and want to justify doing so, actually play a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems. From the medical perspective of One Health, they therefore benefit humanity by helping control populations of rodents and other small animals that harbor diseases transmissible to humans.

DEAR DR. FOX: I was appalled and sickened after reading about the abusive breeding of flat-faced dogs. I never knew this practice existed. Would you please consider doing a companion piece on the humans who own these dogs? Here in Florida, many people showcase their companion dogs, usually the flat-faced or inbred miniature varieties, by taking them out in strollers -- after dressing them in bows and frilly collars -- so others can ooh and ahh over how cute they look. My husband and I turn away in disgust. -- A.M.K., Naples, Florida

DEAR A.M.K.: I know that many informed and caring readers will agree with you -- but those who breed, sell and own such genetically impaired dogs will take offense. Their claim to "love" these dogs is all very well, but love is just another four-letter word when it comes to their breed standards. These must be changed so that extreme deformities are eliminated.

These dogs often require delivery by cesarean section, followed by special veterinary attention throughout life, including corrective surgical procedures. Regrettable for all involved. I appreciate your concerns.

(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: On Easter Sunday, April 17, I was encouraged to find the Parade magazine in my newspaper with its Earth Day cover proclaiming, "Don't Let Them Go Extinct: 6 Simple Ways to Help These Species and Mother Earth." But when I read item No. 5, "Eat smart," I nearly spilled my coffee. It stated: "Consuming protein that leaves a small carbon footprint can make a big difference. Swapping beef out for fish even twice a week is a 'good move in the right direction,' says Katie Matthews, chief scientist with Oceana." It then provides a website for salmon recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In my analysis, farmed salmon is one of the most inhumane, unsustainable, environment-harming and potentially consumer-harming forms of aquaculture food production. A 20-acre salmon farm produces as much waste as a town of 10,000 people. For details, see my book "Eating With Conscience: The Bioethics of Food."

For better ideas, many readers will enjoy this free resource: "What to Eat When You Don't Eat Animals: Menus and ideas to inspire people who want to eat as if life is precious," created by Veda Stram and available at all-creatures.org/what-to-eat.html.

DEAR DR. FOX: Regarding your recent letter about the 4-month-old cat with the terrible itch: We had an older rescue cat with similar problems who would scratch herself raw. We tried oatmeal baths at the vet and food changes at home, with no effect.

We finally had allergy testing done, which showed an allergy to pine trees among other triggers. We had been using a pine-based litter. Switching her from it, plus some additional weeks of baths, helped her greatly. Your reader may want to try a litter change. -- C.C., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR C.C.: Thanks for this helpful insight. We all learn from our animals' reactions to various environmental factors. Your cat's allergy to certain types of cat litter -- laudably diagnosed by the attending veterinarian -- is one more data point added to our understanding of our companion animals.

Covered cat litter boxes can become problems for cats because of ammonia, dust and volatile scents being trapped inside. I advise open litter boxes and give additional details on my website (drfoxonehealth.com/post/cat-litter-box-issues) for all cat owners, many of whom do not clean out the box adequately on a daily basis.

PET OWNERSHIP LINKED TO SLOWER COGNITIVE DECLINE

Long-term pet ownership may support cognitive health, including verbal memory, in people over 50, according to a study scheduled for presentation at an upcoming American Academy of Neurology meeting. Pet ownership is associated with higher socioeconomic status, a sense of companionship and healthy behaviors, all of which are also associated with slower cognitive decline, experts said. (Full story: MedPage Today) Feb. 23)

(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: 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.)