Pet Dumping

Dumping is not only cruel, but many times it's also a death sentence to the animal. Even if an animal quickly develops "street smarts", surviving cars, other wild animals, and cruel people, it usually will not survive indefinitely. If the animal control people don't pick it up and eventually destroy it, it will probably die of disease or starvation, be eaten by preditors, die of heat-stroke, or exposure to the frigid cold.

Animals that are abandoned, left to fend for themselves, may become the target of angry people, whose property has been damaged by strays. Dogs are pack animals and when left to run in groups, they may attack and kill livestock. One such incident occured in Mississippi, according to Stray Dogs Create Problems for Many, by Molly Kinnan. According to the article, 44 goats were killed by a pack of stray dogs. The article contiues by saying that the survival rate for stray dogs is about two weeks in the wild. For more detailed information, access Kinnan's article.

Shelters have heard a variety of excuses for pet abandonment. Some of the most common are I am tired of my pet,I'm allergic to it, or its too hyper. Another common reason is that the pet has had a litter and the pet owner is not able to find a home for the litter. This situation may easily be avoided by having the pet spayed or nuetered immediately after getting it. A litter can cost a lot more in vet bills than the proceedure. Check with your vet as to how soon the animal may have this operation. Animals are also less likely to roam and it is healthier for them. No-kill shelters may be full, because many people try to use this as an option for their unwanted animals. For detailed information on the excuses for pet abandonment and considerations when getting a pet, access Doing the Right Thing, Adopt-A-Pet, Victoria, Texas.

Cats that are abandoned usually become feral cats, meaning they are wild. Many times they are abused. According to the article, Feral Cats Need Love Too, at the Feral Friends Dallas/Ft. Worth site, the estimated number of feral cats is six million. The article continues by stating that present methods of destroying these cats is not effective because another cat will take its place. For more detailed information on this problem and one possible solution, access the Feral Cats Need Love Too article and . Pet Owners Have Responsibilities , by Shelly L. Covington.

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