It’s always a very sad thing to think about, but every year more cats or dogs end up on the streets where either they live a hard life of neglect or are taken to a shelter and sometimes euthanized. In fact, euthanization of animals is a leading cause of mortality in dogs and cats.
It might seem a bit harsh to put down an animal simply because it is no longer loved and wanted. Of course, on an emotional level this is certainly true; unfortunately, caring for dogs and cats costs money and it’s simply not viable to keep all stray dogs and cats alive.
The very best way to stop overpopulation and stray dogs and cats is for owners to take action. On the one hand, overpopulation can be effectively counteracted where pets are neutered or spayed. These treatments also have positive health benefits, such as protecting against cervical cancer and reducing problem behaviour.
Another course of action is to take pet ownership very seriously. Be aware that a pet is both a financial and an emotional investment. Factor in how much it’s going to cost you in terms of vet bills and the cost of quality pet food. Do you have enough time to commit to walking your dog, exercise is very important to a pets overall welfare.
Happy healthy dogs are much less likely to become stressed or to run away from home.
