Rocky Mount, NC – Stepheny’s Reflection on Finding Safe Haven

A Stepheny story: The first time I saw Main Street, silent and empty, the idea of this blog was born. I prayed about what I had seen and was there anything I could do about it. The answer I heard, “You’re a writer, write!” Here I go again.

A Season of suffering: Do you recognize this line? I’m sure you do. I watch a certain amount of TV. The ads that are repetitious led me to muting all of them, and I can no longer watch the horrific videos of suffering animals. The abuse of animals is always with us. Throwing money at the shelters etc. hasn’t changed a thing. When thinking about this I say, “We can land men on the moon, but we can’t end animal suffering?”

When we discover a child in a harmful or neglectful environment, we don’t hesitate: the child is removed to safety. Trained professionals intervene to provide medical care, emotional support, and a chance at a better life. Why, then, is the response so different when it comes to abused and neglected animals?

The images of suffering animals on television pull at our hearts, yet the systems in place to protect them are obviously inadequate. I experienced this firsthand when I called animal control about a dog barking for hours in distress near my home. Their response? “We can’t intervene.” What I should have said out loud was,”Why the hell not.”

This isn’t just heartbreaking—it’s a missed opportunity to address a pressing problem with the same seriousness and urgency we extend to other vulnerable beings. When children are removed from abusive situations, they are placed into foster care or shelters designed to triage their needs and provide stability. Why can’t a similar infrastructure exist for animals?

Animal control teams should be empowered and trained to intervene immediately when abuse or neglect is reported, just as social services do for children. Instead of overwhelmed shelters turning animals away, we need well-funded facilities that provide triage for the sick and injured, emotional care for traumatized animals, and temporary housing until they can have a family to love them.

Strengthening laws and enforcement around animal abuse is essential. Just as neglecting a child has consequences, so should failing to care for an animal.

Communities have untapped potential to solve this problem. Repurposed buildings could house not just shelters but full-service animal care centers, with veterinary clinics, adoption programs, and outreach initiatives. Partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, and technology, But consequences for animal abuse is my #1 cure.

We cannot ignore the distressing reality that animals, like children, are sentient beings who rely on us for protection and care. The question isn’t whether we can create a better system—it’s why we haven’t yet.

Imagine a world where a call to animal control is met with swift action, where no animal has to endure days or weeks of suffering because no one was empowered to help. With the will to act, we can build that world. It starts with recognizing that saving an abused animal is just as vital as saving an abused child. Both deserve safety, care, and a chance at a better life.