I don't really want to get involved in a socio-economic debate, but my opinion is as follows:

- Whilst it IS true that Bahrain is an "oil-rich" country, my experience is that this merely makes the gap between the HAVES and the HAVE NOTS so much bigger.

- I agree that there are millions of people living in abject poverty (yes, in Bahrain too). I will always do what I can to help, HOWEVER I will never accept that poverty in itself excuses in any way cruelty to any other living being.

- I guess what I am trying to say is if a person CAN'T help, or WON'T help, then at the very least they should not make the problem worse by doing harm.

- Cruelty to animals and children is rampant the world over. Look at the recent exposures of Child Slavery in Camel racing - the camel owners are amongt the elite in these countries, and certainly cannot use either poverty or ignorance as an excuse.

Popcornbird - I fully agree with you that where there is human suffering, animals come second. However each one of us makes a personal choice with regards to which charities we choose to support. I buy clothes, food and craft items from roadside sellers, and then donate the items back to our shelters charity shop, so I am able to help both. I am grateful every day that myself and my family can afford a safe clean place to live, clean water and good medical care. I am also grateful that I am healthy and educated, because this enables me to work and earn a salary, a part of which I choose spend on animal welfare.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.