Give me strength to protect the mistreated, misused and misplaced.

I have been thinking a lot lately about where my life is going. I guess I've reached that stage where it's no longer OK to coast along in a job I don't really care about. I want to change the world, in my own little way. So I sat and thought about what matters to me. And constantly came back with the same answer. Animals. Animal welfare specifically.

So I looked at the RSPCA website and started applying for jobs. Not very easy to be honest, there are very few jobs and a lot of people applying for them. So I started to volunteer at the local RSPCA cat shelter. And as traumatic as it is to see those poor abandoned cats, for a couple of hours on a Saturday I actually feel like I am helping.

I never thought I could work with mistreated animals as I thought I would find it too distressing. But then I thought about it, if I don't then who is to say someone else will? I have to come out of my comfort zone and face my fear, because ultimately the end result is more than worth it. I want to know that I can make the change, that I can help, that one animal might not die. I'll make sure that happens.

There is no excuse for any animal cruelty these days. There's no ignorance anymore on the subject. Just cruelty. Stupid, horrible people who think it's cool, or it makes them feel powerful to inflict suffering on an animal. On something that can't fight back. These are the sort of people who are too cowardly to take on a person, someone who can fight back.

Imagine this. Close your eyes and picture a floor. On that floor there is a skinny, dying dog and a skinny, dying cat by empty food and water bowls. Imagine a pair of legs - an owner - walking past them, and using the last of their energy they look up, pathetically hoping that they might get some attention, food or water. But nothing. They sink back to the floor. Dying.

Now even writing that made me cry. What about you?

Do you want to stand by and do nothing?

Or do you want to do something.

These animals are our best friends. These animals save our lives. These animals are the ones that listen when other people don't want to know.

My cats are my babies. My best friends and my constant companions. I would kill anyone who hurt them. And I can say that hand on heart.

I don't agree with PETA's shock tactics - although some people may argue my image above was just that - it was in a way - but it shouldn't be forced on you. It's your choice.

If you care, then care. If you want to help then help.

If you want to know more - www.rspca.org.uk

Look at your pet and wonder what you would do if someone hurt them. And wonder, why do people hurt animals? Why was a cat kicked to death for having muddy paws?

I can't live this mediocre life anymore. I need to change the world, cos I can't live in this one.

Want to join me?