August 21st is International Homeless Animals Day. This is an issue that is truly near and dear to our hearts. Many of our cutest patients are now beloved pets that were once homeless. However, while some lucky dogs and cats have gotten second chances, there are still far too many animals out there fending for themselves. In this article, a local Marietta, GA vet discusses homeless animals, and lists some ways that you can help them.
The Numbers
The statistics on homeless pets are very sobering. More than one in three pets will get lost at some point in their lives. While some are eventually returned home, others wind up fending for themselves. Only a fraction of those homeless pets end up in shelters, and of those that do, many, sadly end up being euthanized. Currently, there are an estimated 70 million homeless dogs and cats in just the US alone.
Underlying Causes
Why are there so many homeless pets? Overpopulation is a large part of the problem. A single pair of cats can have as many as 2, 072, 514 descendants in just nine years. This is why so many TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) programs focus on getting feral and stray cats fixed, in the hopes of curbing pet overpopulation. A portion of homeless animals are former pets that have been lost, surrendered, rescued, or abandoned. Many of them end up in shelters, where they must compete with adorable kittens and puppies to get adopted.
How To Help
There’s no way that any one person can help every homeless pet out there. However, there are ways you can make a difference. Of course, adopting a homeless pet is a big one. It’s also important for you to get your own pet fixed. Supporting animal shelters, charities, and rescues is also something that can definitely make a difference. There are many ways to do this. Monetary donations are always helpful, but you can also help by dropping off toys or supplies. If you want to go a bit further, consider volunteering or fostering. Even sharing the word on social media can help! Finally, we can’t overstate the importance of having your furry friend microchipped, and making sure they are wearing their ID tags.
Please reach out to us if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Marietta, GA animal clinic, we are here for you!
