Every year, a lot of animals end up in shelters. In fact, only one out of ten dogs find a permanent home. Why does this happen? There were studies conducted on this by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), and they have come up with the top 10 reasons people say that they were surrendering an animal. Whilst keeping in mind that this is only based on those animals that were surrendered by their owner. Many animals that end up at the shelter are found by a stranger picked up by animal control and we cannot say why their owner abandoned them.

A few of the reasons why dogs end up in shelters:

Shifting.
Landlord does not allow pets.
Too many animals in the household.
Pet maintenance cost.
Biting.
Insufficient facilities.
Pet illness(es).
Having no time to pet.
No homes were available for litter mates.
The owner has personal problems/illness/death.

For cats, most of the reasons they found were the same, with the addition of:

Cat allergies within the family.
Incompatibility with other pets.
House soiling.

Every year millions of dogs and cats are tragically killed due to overcrowding in animal shelters. Many beloved pets would never end up there if they were properly identified with a microchip or visible ID tag – so pet owners should take the necessary precautions before their furry family member goes missing! With these measures taken, finding lost animals is much easier as one need not check every neighbour’s garage but instead can head straight for the nearest shelter.

Being a responsible pet owner requires thoughtful preparation. What will you do if your furry friend’s vet bills pile up, or if their behaviour is causing problems? Planning ahead can help ensure that our pets remain valued members of their community – and lend us the peace of mind to truly enjoy them! This includes taking ownership for scooping poop, as well as any other behaviours needed for everyone’s safety and convenience; by being conscious about these issues, we create an environment more welcoming towards all creatures.

Few Ways to Prevent Dogs and Cats Ending Up in Shelters

Think Twice Before You Get a Dog or a Cat

Potential dog /cat adopters must decide carefully before doing so whether or not to bring a dog home. One must research and factor in whether or not you’ll be able to bear the dog, spend the required amount of time with them, and meet their mental and physical needs before making a decision to get one. Also, you must make sure nobody in your family is allergic to a dog /cat before you bring it home.

Pets are cute and are often bought or adopted on a whim without much thinking going into what is involved as far as training and care. Those who get dogs/cats without realizing what they are perpetrating are the first ones to abandon them.

There Are Also Other Alternatives to Surrendering Your Pet to a Shelter

If you have a dog /cat and experience a change in lifestyle, try your best to work through it without having to leave your dog /cat at a shelter. If you are busy and find yourself with minimal time on your hands, then you must consider putting your dog into a daycare or hiring a dog walker so that it can get some exercise and attention during the day. If you have to move and are unable to take the dog with you or cannot bear the costs anymore, seek out responsible new caretakers for your pet. If you develop an allergy, try hypoallergenic shampoos for bathing your dog to alleviate your condition. If you find a stray on the street, nurture it until you are able to secure a reliable home.

After you have done your part, you will help to ensure that fewer dogs end up abandoned, confused, and facing destruction in overpopulated animal shelters.

The NCPPSP is an alliance of: