Speaking Up for Homeless Animals
Don't underestimate the power of one. Find
constructive outlets for your concern for homeless
animals -- such as writing a guest guest editorial or
letter for your local paper. Below is one example,
which appeared recently in an Ocean City, Maryland
newspaper.
Dear Editor,
As visitors and residents get ready to return to
school and work, local animal shelters are trying to
cope with the influx of dogs and cats from people who
viewed pet ownership as temporary instead of a serious
commitment.
More than 5 million pets lose their lives each year in
the United States due to lack of a home, according to
the American Humane Association, and thousands die in
our local shelters. Here are practical ways that each
of us can make a difference and reduce the tragedy of
homeless companion animals literally dying from lack
of homes.
* Neuter and spay your pets. This safe, simple,
one-time surgery can be done animals of nearly any
age, including as young as 10 weeks. The procedure
does not change a pet's personality or cause weight
gain. In fact, national studies have proven that
neutering significantly improves long-term health by
eliminating the risk of several common and
costly-to-treat cancers and other diseases -- as well
as reduces aggressive tendencies and territorial
marking. It's a win-win situation. And remember,
every litter of pups and kittens born means fewer
homes and more euthanasia (humane killing) for
abandoned animals who are so in need of responsible
homes.
* Keep pets for life. Pets are not gifts or
playthings. It is tragic how many young dogs are
given up once the novelty wears off and the pups have
grown larger and more active.
* Solve problems instead of giving up a pet.
Allergies? Behavior problems? Moving? Most "pet
problems" are really "owner management problems" and
practical solutions abound in books and free webpages,
such as www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/dog_tips.html
* Don't get a pet until everyone in the household is
completely ready. Critically important: choose the
right pet for your lifestyle and energy level. Have
kids or lots of guests? Don't have time to walk and
play with a high-energy breed several times a day? Be
realistic. Giving up a pet is a bad lesson to teach
children.
* Train your pet using positive reinforcement. Dogs
are not born knowing how to behave like Lassie.
Furthermore, dog bite cases typically involve dogs who
were not raised or treated properly, who were allowed
to roam outside and/or were left alone with young
children. To help bite-proof your dog, socialize and
train him, walk on leash outside, supervise dogs left
in the yard (since a lonely or frustrated dog will try
to escape), never chain up a dog (chaining is proven
to increase aggressive behavior), and never leave dogs
and young children alone together.
* Teach dogs and children how to safely interact with
each other, and teach all household members and guests
to treat pets kindly. Well cared for pets are better,
more reliable companions.
* Do not let pets roam, which leads to them getting
hit by cars, lost, stolen, injured by other animals
and troubled people, and winding up at shelters.
* Help animals at your local humane shelter or animal
welfare society by volunteering a few hours a month or
making donations.
* Adopt your pet from a local shelter or animal
welfare group. You'll find wonderful animals waiting
for caring homes. If you want a purebreed, up to 30
percent of animals in many shelters are purebred. If
you choose to buy a purebreed, avoid puppy mill pet
shops and choose an ethical breeder who owns the
mother dog, can provide generations of pedigree, shows
their dogs in dog shows, and breeds only the best to
the best to improve the breed and ensure healthy
genetics.
We each have the ability to make a real difference.
-----
For more Dog Tips about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at:
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
www.paw-rescue.org
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768