« Sometimes When We Touch | Home | VoIP »
Animal’s Best Friends
By peace | June 4, 2007
No single person or group can be blamed for dog and cat overpopulation — overall responsibility is shared by many segments of the public. The source of the problem includes accidental mating, breeding for the purpose of selling the offspring, and personal reasons such as letting the children witnessing the miracle of birth.
Pet owners who do not spay or neuter their animals are the greatest single cause of the companion animal tragedy. Many of these owners have no intention of breeding their pets, but it happens. Allowing your pet to have just one litter so your children can experience the miracle of birth can contribute to thousands of unplanned births. This is what can happen: two dogs breed. Six offspring are born. The six offspring reproduce within one year and are responsible for six offspring each. In one year, a litter of six can become 36. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop there. To solve the problem, animals must be prevented from being born unnecessarily.
There are three measures society can take to help prevent the overpopulation of animals:
1. Humane Education Programs
Programs must be developed for adults, because adults are responsible for dogs and cats. Similarly for young adults and children. By teaching children how to be caring and responsible animal guardians early, it is hoped they will grow to be more sensitive and responsible adults — adults who create a more compassionate world for all.
2. Affordable and Accessible Spay/Neuter Clinics
Low cost spay/neuter clinics provide an affordable solution. Spaying is a surgical technique performed on females. It involves removal of both ovaries and the uterus. The operation prevents an animal from having heat periods and eliminates the ability to become pregnant. Neutering is a surgical technique performed on male animals involving removal of testicles. This prevents production of sperm and eliminates the possibility of the male impregnating the female. Both surgeries are usually performed at six months of age; however, many clinics are now sterilizing animals at an earlier age.
3. Enforcement of Laws
Animal shelters are doing the public’s difficult work. They care for the animals people discard, and must destroy those for whom no homes can be found. Take public must take responsibility for animals ending up in shelters.
Everyday, there are things that you can do to be animal’s best friends:
- Encourage friends and neighbours to join you in donating food, blankets, towels, and time to your local animal shelter
- Avoid purchasing products that were tested on animals
- Share your love for animals and how to properly care for them with children. Our greatest legacy will be a more animal friendly world
Combine your voice with others and you can make a real difference in the lives of all animals by ensuring that they have the legal protection they need to save them from those who would cause them unspeakable harm.
Topics: All Posts, Animals, Pets |
