Every year, January sees dogs and cats discarded just like the wrapping paper. Unwanted presents at Christmas time are to be expected but they are often easily returned; however every year unwanted dogs and cats are unable to be returned and often end up neglected and homeless.
Animal charities often plead for people not to give dogs as presents at Christmas. However, a recent survey showed that 11% of the population would still buy a dog as a present despite the warnings.
In December 2006 the RSPCA animal centers in England and Wales took in more than one-thousand-five-hundred cats and dogs either directly from members of the public or abandoned. Even more startling is that January often sees a rise in the numbers and the RSPCA animal shelters expect to take in more than 90 cats and dogs a day this year. Unfortunately there is often “no room in the inn” as these shelters are at full capacity and approximately 50 cats and dogs have to be turned away a day.
In many instances when there is no where left for these unwanted but often healthy animals to go; due to animal shelters being of full capacity, they have to be put down. This is the harsh reality of not planning ahead before taking on an animal.
Before taking on a pet at any time of the year certain things have to be considered in order to ensure that your chosen pet will have the best life possible and that you're well prepared for its arrival. With many resources available such as the internet and many books containing extensive research on the shelves of libraries and bookstores on different animals there isn't really any excuse.
Maybe the problem lies with the breeders who, in some cases, excessively breed many litters. Many prospective buyers unfortunately will go straight to the breeders for a puppy rather than considering a dog that's in an animal shelter which needs a loving home. With a lack of dogs being re-homed the animal shelters are remaining full and these puppies that become unwanted have nowhere to go.
Regardless of who is to blame, one thing for certain is that these innocent animals aren't. So rather than following trends or not planning ahead, think of the consequences and the future of these animals. As after all "a dog is not just for Christmas it"s for life'.
We own a mixed breed dog that we got from the animal shelter. She had been abandoned, leashed to a pole at a gas station just off an expressway. She came to us with issues probably related to her former masters, if you can even call them that. For one thing, she snaps and snarls at the shoes and boots of anyone who puts their feet around her or up on chair rungs. Makes me think she had been kicked by those who abandoned her. She tends to act more like a cat, coming to you when she feels like it. But she is a good companion when she feels like it.
I have read about some of the most popular pedigreed dogs. Many of them have high energy levels which prospective owners don't realize until they assume ownership. That's why so often you can find dogs that are certain breeds in many Animal Shelters.
Good for you that you brought attention to this concern.