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Sterilisation – Conquering the Overpopulation Crisis of Cats and Dogs

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In a period of just six years, one female dog and her litter can reproduce up to 67 000 puppies! Similarly, in a period of 7 years, one female cat and her offspring can reproduce 370 000 kittens, and the numbers continue to increase exponentially from there! Unsterilised male dogs and cats are the prime contributors to this overpopulation crisis as they can impregnate a multitude of females within a short period of time, thereby producing countless unplanned litters.

To further aggravate the situation in South Africa, the following statistics were published by Statistics South Africa Census 2012, Eighty20 (SAARF Living Standard Measures 2012), South African Veterinary Council (SAVC 2012), World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA 2008), Animal Welfare and Private practices 2012, and South Africa Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust (SA.MAST) :

Over 40 million South Africans rely on animal welfare organisations to support their pets, however these establishments are under immense strain being only able to assist a segment of this population, thereby leaving innumerable animals without any access to basic veterinary care.

It’s been reported that South Africa has a grave scarcity of specialist surgeons, with only twelve practicing in the entire country. This problem is further exasperated by the fact that less than one surgical specialist is allocated per major city outside of Johannesburg and Pretoria. This amounts to approximately 870 000 homed dogs and cats for every surgeon. Older surgeons and veterinarians are also retiring from private and animal welfare practices, thereby causing a shortage of mentors to teach new graduates.

This explains why millions of innocent dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are euthanised every year, due to the shortage of both loving homes to take them in and people without access to animal welfare services. Sterilisation is the affordable, simple solution to saving millions of animals from a life of struggle with hunger, thirst, neglect, abuse or euthanisation in animal shelters because their forever family never arrives. As responsible pet parents, you can make the difference by sterilising (spaying or neutering) your pets to ensure no unplanned litters occur.

  • What is spaying and neutering of cats and dogs?
    Sterilisation (spaying or neutering) is when a qualified veterinarian performs a surgical procedure involving removal of a pet’s reproductive organs.

  • What are the Benefits of Sterilising my pet?

    Sterilisation in both male and female cats and dogs has many far-reaching benefits, namely:

    • Improved longevity and avoidance of unplanned litters.
    • Sterilised pets are less susceptible to contract some diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in cats or the Transmissible Venereal Tumour virus in dogs.
    • Having your female cat or dog sterilised at an early age can further protect them from the later onset of critical health issues such as urinary infections and mammary gland cancer, which are found to be malignant in approximately 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats.
    • Elimination of hormone-induced moodiness and uncomfortable, stressful symptoms associated with heat cycles.
    • Reduction of the frustrating behaviours of heat cycles, such as yowling and inappropriate urinating around the home.
    • Neutering male pets may reduce certain behaviourial problems related to the instinct of mating. This ensures they are far less likely to perform a Houdini-style escape from home to roam in search of a female mate, thereby reducing the chance of them being run over by a vehicle or getting into fights with other animals.
    • Altered males are less inclined to mark their territory around the home by spraying a strong-scent over all your household belongings. This should also eliminate the instinctive need to mount people, other dogs and nonliving objects.
    • Neutered males have a reduced chance of developing prostate and testicular cancer, thereby enhancing their quality and quantity of life.

Remember, whilst sterilising your male pet reduces their testosterone levels, there is no guarantee that their unfavourable behaviour will improve. This is because they may have become accustomed to certain learnt behaviours and there is the possibility that these habits will continue if left unchecked. At the end of the day, the outcomes of neutering are largely influenced by your pet’s unique character, biology and history.

  • Will altering my pet affect their weight?
    The process of spaying or neutering has been known to reduce the quantity of sex-related hormones which may lead to a decrease in a pet’s metabolic rate, but a lifestyle of regular exercise and a healthy diet will ensure your pet is kept slim, fit and shapely. A pet’s age, breed and level of activity are also factors when taking dietary concerns into account. Portion servings and exercise regimes will need to be adjusted accordingly as your pet gets on in years and depending on whether their breed is prone to weight gain.
  • How can you teach your children about “the miracle of birth”?
    There is a wealth of information available in the form of books, videos and online programmes to responsibly teach your children about reproduction. Allowing your pet to breed is not only teaching your child to be reckless, but it’s contributing to the current calamity of countless pets dying in shelters because there’s a deficit of loving homes for the rapidly growing population.
  • Is sterilization safe?
    Spaying or neutering of pets is the most commonly performed surgical procedure conducted by veterinarians. Your furry friend will receive a general anesthetic during the procedure and pain medication to manage any associated pain thereafter, thus experiencing moderate pain and discomfort. The occurrence of complications resulting from these procedures is very low.
  • What is the best age to spay or neuter my pet?
    It’s always best to consult your veterinarian about when the most appropriate age to sterilise your pet is as this could vary between breeds, ages and individual health statuses, however, most veterinary practices will only sterilise your pet after they are 6 months old.
  • What are the costs involved?
    If your pet produces offspring, you are then responsible for the wellbeing of the wee ones. Sterilising your pet is a far more cost-effective solution than having to care for a litter of pups or kittens. Many animal welfare organisations and shelters offer free sterilisations to make the procedure more accessible for pet parents to do the right thing.
  • Pre-Surgery Tips
    Your vet will give you the necessary information required regarding preparing your pet for surgery. They will probably insist that your pet fasts the night before undergoing anesthesia, but instructions may differ for younger pups and kittens, so ensure you are given accurate instructions pertaining to your pet’s individual set of circumstances.
  • Post-Surgery Recovery Tips
    • It is best to keep your pet indoors overnight, in a peaceful place away from noise or other pets until the anesthetic has fully worn off. Pets that have not fully recovered and are left to roam may not be as quick to react in a dangerous situation and may come to harm.
    • Ensure your pet doesn’t jump and run for approximately 10 days after the operation, or for as long as your physician suggests.
    • Ensure the incision remains free from infection by preventing your pet from licking it. This can be done by offering them treat distractions or using an Elizabethan collar.
    • Don’t bath your furry pal for at least 10 days after the operation.
    • Conduct daily inspections of the incision to ensure efficient healing.

Consult with your vet if you notice any of the following:

  • The incision is red, swollen, open or producing any discharge
  • If your pet is unusually lethargic, has a reduced appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea.

Cities and countries worldwide are aggressively addressing the animal overpopulation crisis and areas that are efficient in doing so have reported drastic reductions in the numbers of animals being taken in to animal shelters and euthanised. It all starts with you and your community, so spread the word about pet sterilisation. Together we can overcome this crisis and in so doing, contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of the precious animals with which we share this beautiful planet.

Written for inFURmation
by Taliah Williamson

NPO needs your help

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The number of neglected, sick and homeless animals that animal welfare organisations who rely on public funding struggle to rescue, treat and rehome every year is increasing.

Spaying and neutering is a relatively quick surgical procedure with a long-lasting impact on animal welfare and overpopulation. It reduces the spread of zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) in densely populated and water scarce, poor communities.

Tears Animal Rescue, which has been operating in the Cape Peninsula’s far south for the last 18 years, is a registered Tears Animal Rescue (NPO) whose aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned, abused and neglected dogs and cats. The organisation operates a veterinary clinic and provides subsidised veterinary care. It provides free sterilisation and subsidised medical assistance to pets in communities such as Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Mountain View, Red Hill and Vrygrond, seven days a week. The organisation also provides care to feral cat colonies across the Western Cape.

Tears Animal Rescue’s chief veterinary surgeon, Dr Patti Foster, says they treat hundreds of animals monthly. Foster advocates sterilisation as the primary means of reducing domestic animal overpopulation. “Sterilising humanely reduces the number of unwanted pets and homeless animals, and indirectly the amount of contagious pathogens for diseases such as rabies, parvovirus and canine distemper virus in dogs, and feline enteritis, feline panleukopenia and feline respiratory disease, or snuffles, in cats.”

In the last financial year, the Tears clinic sterilised 5314 dogs and cats for free. Currently Tears’ two vets are sterilising an average of 400 animals a month, with approximately 300 or more rescued or surrendered animals homed at its shelters.

In addition, its 12-year-old Tears Feral Cat Project, a trap-neuter-return policy that ensures that feral cat colonies all around the Western Cape are humanely trapped, brought to the clinic for a health check, are sterilised and released back to their original home. Populations are supervised, fed and monitored by caregivers. Tears launched their “Pay-for-a-Spay” campaign via the www.tears.org.za website in January, with Hill’s Pet Nutrition donating R50 000 towards the cause, which has since enabled 143 pets to be sterilised.

Tears co-founder and director, Marilyn Hoole says: “Our mission in 2018 is to engage with the corporate sector to create sustainable and impactful programmes that will allow us to extend our service footprint.”

Donations from community member make a big difference, says Hoole.

V To donate to the “Pay-for-a-Spay” campaign and support the work being done by Tears, visit http://tears.org.za/pay-for-a-spay/

Source: News 24

Bark of approval for AWS SA’s pet project

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Bark of approval for pet project - image1

Cape Town – It’s a school day and Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) inspectors Angie Stanbridge and Rob Richmond are met by Elsies River residents at New Mews Complex in Leonsdale. Many in the group and on the streets are young adults and some are children of school-going age, a phenomenon which is telling of the unemployment problem in the area. They are here to sign up their dogs and cats for sterilisation.

Monday saw the start of AWS SA’s, The project, sponsored by the Rolf Stephan Nussbaum Foundation and Euromonitor International, was started in commemoration of International Homeless Animals Day on August 18.

Above the noise of dogs barking frantically and residents’ laughter and conversation, Stanbridge fills out forms while Richmond rounds up dogs and cats, labels them and puts them into cages.

The unit then moves on, signing up and loading patients into the trailer at every stop. This is a three-step process with patients being operated on the following day (after collection) and returned to their owners two days later.

In Boater Close, there is a special request from a neighbour who took in a stray, Misha, with a bad case of mange, a skin condition caused by parasitic mites.

The inspectors’ mandate is to collect pets from owners for sterilisation, but they make an exception for this suffering dog. Richmond pulls up his sleeves, puts on rubber gloves and gently coaxes the little dog out of her kennel.

Misha’s hairless skin is cracked and leathery all over. This is a highly contagious disease and the team place her in a cage by herself, ensuring she is isolated from the rest of the patients.

Twenty-one patients are collected and a couple of hours later, the team are on their way back to the AWS SA premises where the pets are placed into cages in preparation for their sterilisation procedures the following day.

I am told to be in theatre the following day at 9am. To my surprise the staff complement consists of only five people, including one doctor who will complete all the surgeries.

The staff are courteous, but there’s no time for chatter. Each member knows what his or her responsibility is. This is a well-oiled machine.

Theatre assistant Jack Ngcakaza and nurse’s assistant Maliviwe Mgoduka shave, disinfect and assist Animal Welfare Assistant Nicci Foord as she intubates, inserts an intravenous injection and anaesthetises patients before they go into theatre. Within a couple of hours, they have completed the bulk of the operations.

The fifth person in the theatre is volunteer student veterinary nurse Lauren Henshilwood. Supervised by Foord, she helps with the patients’ intubation and intravenous injection in preparation for surgery.

Foord moves back and forth from the patient to a stainless steel table where medical supplies are kept. Every time she administers a procedure, she strokes the hair of the cat or dog.

She does this even after the animal has been anaesthetised. The care and dignity with which the staff handle the animals is humbling.

Henshilwood makes a detour to the cages, where dogs are barking and whining. She opens a cage to stroke and provide comfort to a dog, then swiftly returns to her work station.

Inside the operating theatre, Dr Zhaneta Stoynova performs surgeries while support staff cart patients in and out of the room.

While Foord awaits her turn to wheel in the next patient, she trims the toenails of an anaesthetised dog lying on a stretcher.

At about midday, with only a few more sterilisations to be done, Stoynova removes her gown and the team take a short break.

I decide to “call it a day” since I have become quite flustered in my attempt to do my job and taking pictures, notes and video without disturbing the routine in the theatre.

On Wednesday morning, I tag along to see AWS SA inspectors Stanbridge and Richmond return the sterilised pets to their owners in Elsies River.

It is clear by the broad smiles that greet the AWS SA team that the pet owners missed their dogs and cats. Barking dogs and jovial banter about how the time spent away from their pet was too long, fill the air.

Eva Hendricks said she signed up her dog, Lady, for sterilisation because her house was too small to accommodate puppies at a later stage and that she needed to focus all her time and energy on her.

She jokingly admitted she missed her dog and almost dished food for Lady the previous night.

Head of Communications and Resource Development for AWS SA, Allan Perrins, said the goal of the Mass Animal Sterilisation Project was to sterilise a minimum of 390 pets in Elsies River and Mitchells Plain, owned by predominantly indigent people.

Perrins cited pet overpopulation in the majority of the Cape Metro area and backyard breeding as the main reasons for the project which involves humane sterilisation of the animals. Sterilisation of pets which have owners goes a long way to addressing the problem of stray animals.

Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the Animal Control Unit receives many complaints about cruelty to animals and neglect.

“Many young people acquire large and aggressive breeds as trophy dogs and these strong dogs from time to time escape their owners’ properties and inflict life-changing injuries on innocent people in the community. This can result in the pet being put down.

“People who intend getting a pet should register their pets as it is a requirement in terms of the City’s Animal By Law of 2010. Sterilisation is also an aspect of animal care that is being considered for inclusion in proposed amendments to the City’s Animal By Law.

“Treat your pet well by feeding it daily and taking it for walks and you will have a friend for life.”

Statistics published by AWS SA in their Humane Education Booklet: “Teaching Today’s Kids About Animal Welfare”affirm “by spaying and neutering just one male and female cat, more than 2000 unwanted births can be prevented in just four years – and more than 2 million in eight years”, according to Dr John McMullen, AWS SA’s vice-chairman and chief vet.

Source: IOL

Spay and Neuter your Pets

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Image: Pixabay

Spaying and neutering have many benefits, including health, behaviour & community benefits.

When it comes to the animals we choose to share our lives with, it is our responsibility to keep them safe, and healthy and to meet all their needs.  We also need to make sure that they do not become a nuisance in our communities. There are two major reasons why we promote spay & neuter:

  1. We have a massive overpopulation crisis in SA but also worldwide. It is so bad that around 2800 healthy animals are HUMANELY KILLED (Euthanized) DAILY IN SA!
  2. It can be beneficial for their health & behaviour!

We will get back to those in a moment, but first, let’s look at the definitions and methods used for spaying and neutering.

At maturity (6-9 months of age) male dogs and cats are capable of breeding. Female dogs experience a “heat” cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the breed. A female dog’s heat cycle can last as long as 21 days during which your dog will leave bloodstains in the house and may become anxious, short-tempered and actively seek a mate. Female cats can come into heat every 2 weeks during breeding season until they become pregnant and they can fall pregnant as young as 4 months of age.

What does spay & neuter mean?

It’s important to recognize the difference between sterilization and desexing (traditional spay and neuter). Whereas the former procedure eliminates a dog’s ability to procreate, desexing sterilizes but also eliminates the dog’s ability to produce sex hormones for the remainder of their life.

Vetcare.com defines it as follows: The word “spay” refers to the sterilization of female pets. During the ovariohysterectomy, or the typical “spay”, the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed from a female dog or cat. The term “neuter” refers to the castration of male pets.  During orchiectomy or the typical “neuter”, the testes are removed from a male dog or cat.

Both the spay and neuter procedure makes them unable to reproduce and reduces or eliminate breeding-related behaviours. In females, it eliminates her heat cycle.

Methods used:

According to Dr. Karen Becker, traditional spaying and neutering are basically the only techniques vets are currently taught and we need to change that. Each of the following comes with its own risk-benefit analysis and might not mean zero risk of pregnancy. Keeping the testes or uterus, increases those risks for infections and cancers for example.

  • Males:
    • Neuter where testes are removed.
    • Vasectomy where testes are kept intact.
  • Females:
    • Tubal ligation – similar to “tubes tie”
    • Ovary sparing spay – removal of uterus and cervix only.
    • Overiectomy – referred to as laparoscopic spay. Removal of ovaries, but not the uterus.
    • Ovariohysterectomy – removal of ovaries and uterus. (Traditional full spay)

Choosing to keep an animal intact (medical reason or not) requires a highly……I mean highly responsible pet guardian (owner). Keep in mind a guy called Murphy and the massive overpopulation crisis! Let’s get back to the reasons to spay and neuter.

  1. The pet overpopulation crisis.

Our biggest struggle in animal welfare is the MASSIVE OVERPOPULATION CRISIS, especially cats and dogs, but also parrots, rabbits and other animals. There are just not enough homes for us to adopt our way out of this mess. Breeders breed them faster than we can save them.  If there are fewer animals then fewer of them can fall into the wrong hands and be neglected or abused. 

You need to understand the magnitude of this overpopulation crisis and then, hopefully, you will understand why many of us advocate so hard for it.

    • According to Rescue Rehab SA, approximately 1 million dogs and cats are euthanized in South Africa every year, that is 2740 a day and likely an underestimation!
    • One female cat and her offspring can exponentially produce 370 000 cats in just seven years and one female dog and her offspring can exponentially produce 67 000 dogs in six years. We are not even talking about the males who can impregnate multiple females in the same time.
    • Another estimation is that only about 1 out of every 10 dogs born find a home.
    • According to the Humane Society of the USA, a cat or dog is euthanized at shelters every 10s.
    • A report by Mars Petcare showed 224 million animals are homeless in the USA, UK, SA, Mexico, Greece, Russia, China, India & Germany and about 30% of animals in SA are homeless.
    • At least one in four pets brought to shelters are purebred and this number is climbing.

Why do we have this massive overpopulation crisis?
We are in this mess because people do not sterilize their pets, they support breeders and pet shops or give or sell these sentient beings to anyone. Breeders selfishly exploit animals for financial gain and fuel the massive overpopulation crisis. Many people do not keep their animals, including cats, safe in their yards so they roam the streets where they can get lost and end up in shelters or will likely fall pregnant or get another pregnant.

2. It is good for their health & behaviour

When you spay and neuter your pets it can lead to longer and happier lives.  There are many health benefits of spaying and neutering which include a lower risk for certain diseases like cancers and pyometra.  It improves behaviour, especially when dealing with females in heat and males marking or spraying and wandering out of the yard in search of these females which they can smell from far away. 

Benefits of sterilization:

    • Your pet will live a longer, healthier life.
    • Cancer and other malignant conditions are the nr one cause of death in adult dogs. In a cancer study with 3452 dogs, the researchers found that males tend to be diagnosed at a younger age than females BUT NEUTERED MALE DOG dogs tended to be diagnosed when they were significantly older than intact dogs. Spaying and neutering help prevent certain types of cancers like mammary tumours, testicular cancer, prostate disease and sexually transmitted diseases.
    • For females it decreases the risk to develop Pyometra (pus in the womb) which is very dangerous.
    • Your spayed female won’t go into heat and cause behaviour changes for her and the males looking for a mate.
    • An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence to escape from the yard and once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males or being stolen.
    • Intact male dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house.
    • Your pet will not cause the upheaval in the neighbourhood.
    • Neutered male cats and dogs fight less, resulting in fewer battle scars, and the spread of contagious diseases and abscesses.
    • Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community because stray animals pose a problem for a few reasons including, they can get into fights, cause car accidents, become a nuisance and frighten people and other animals.
    • There are risks associated with pregnancy and it takes a toll on the mom’s body. Many are not always able to give birth naturally, and this incurs high veterinary costs as caesareans may need to be performed and/or other complications may arise. Many animals die in labour.
    • It certainly eliminates the stress associated with pregnancy.
    • Veterinary care related to unsterilised animal health issues (cancers, fights, pyometra) can be expensive. Providing proper care for the litter is also expensive.
    • Spaying and neutering help fight the pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of cats, dogs and other animals of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays, because there are just not enough homes. Sterilization takes a few minutes, but the suffering of an abandoned animal, takes a lifetime.
    • The cost in terms of euthanase, burial/incineration and even human stress are enormous.

The biggest criticism for spay & neuter:
A topic that creates a lot of controversy in some circles is whether to do full spay and neuter or keep some sex organs intact, to spay or neuter early or later, or whether to spay or neuter at all. There are always two sides to a coin and it is important to look at both sides.

Some research shows that with desexing spays and neuters – surgical procedures that remove the gonads and associated sex hormones – it can have a long-term negative impact on the animal’s health. The research for the most part, suggests this more in large dog breeds, in only a few studies. The advice then is to have them spayed or neutered after they turned one year old, but then again, they need a highly responsible owner.  You must also remember that the relationship between sex hormones, health and wellness is more complex and can be influenced by many aspects like sex, breed, age, environment and more.

Some suggest they develop other cancers and ACL (knee ligament) injuries are another favourite to throw in. Many things can cause cancer including their diet, genetics and other pollutants (lawn chemicals, cleaning products etc). I work with human ACL rehab and there are a few factors to those injuries. FYI….people who are not spayed/neutered get them too.

Spay and neuter SA have looked at much of the evidence presented and for me, currently, the benefits still outweigh the potential health risks. Keep in mind there may be exceptions and we support doing what is best for the individual pet too. When it comes to the ability to spay or neuter early, it depends on the skills of the vet and individual health of the pet.

So, to spay and neuter or not and when? Discuss it with your trusted veterinarian. My advice is…….volunteer at a shelter to help you decide on it in general and then also look at your individual pet, their breed and needs.

I have not yet seen these negative effects myself and I think there is more research needed on this as single case studies of low quality, are not enough to convince me.  With this massive overpopulation crisis worldwide, the benefits far outweigh the risk.

What are alternatives then? 
When a pet is left intact, it requires a highly responsible pet guardian who is fully committed to and capable of preventing mating and litters. Another option is sterilizing so the testes or ovaries can continue to produce hormones. This can be accomplished and I would possibly consider support for the vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay if enough high-quality studies prove negative long-term health effects with full spay or neuters. Keep in mind that the risks for cancers or disease in those organs, will remain. If the long-term health issues do occur after spaying or neutering, it seems that hormone restoration therapy may be beneficial to symptomatic spayed and neutered dogs.

Why are rescues so STRICT when it comes to sterilization?
It is counterintuitive to our mission as rescuers to allow puppies, kittens, birds or bunnies to be homed where there are any unsterilized animals. We would not have this massive overpopulation crisis if people sterilized their pets. Be extremely weary of any organization that is not asking why you have unsterilized pets, who sells animals (not doing home checks and contracts), or who breeds themselves, and we have such organizations locally! We believe that responsible pet guardians sterilize their pets, so even if you adopt a dog, we want your bunny to be sterilized.

Be part of the solution and join the spay & neuter revolution
Changing the fate of animals and the massive overpopulation crisis resolves around three principles namely sterilization, education, and stricter and enforced laws for those who don’t respond to being asked nicely.  No breeding can be “responsible” when we have a massive overpopulation crisis and when you support breeders, pet shops or free animals, you are part of the problem.

  • Spay & neuter your pets.
  • Share, educate & advocate for it.
  • Donate to spay & neuter campaigns.
  • Support petitions and legislation on the topic.
  • Don’t support animal dealers, breeders, or pet shops that fuel the overpopulation crisis.
  • Keep your animals safe in your yard.
  • Adopt from reputable organizations. This is the only ethical option!

 Although we promote adoption, we can’t adopt our way out of this problem, so we need to fix (pardon the pun) it. We have heard all the bad excuses and debunked the myths.

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Breeding animals creates a problem

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Breeding animals creates a problem

Image: Pixabay

Breeding creates a massive overpopulation crisis but also raise some serious ethical & Welfare concerns.
A human baby factory is a great business idea…… or did you frown upon imagining this form of exploitation? If this is not ok with humans, how can you justify breeding exploitation for other sentient beings? For this article, we will not address the agricultural breeding of livestock and game or for experimentation, as it is a whole topic on its own.  Today we will focus on breeding, whether by accident or deliberately, with domestic companion animals.

For years there has been this ethical & welfare debate regarding breeding. The animal welfare arguments usually form the basis for the debate as health should always trump looks, but there is certainly an ethical argument too. The debate has mostly taken place around the breeding of animal for experimentation and livestock production. It is important to reflect on the changes in the genetic makeup of companion animals.

THE HISTORY OF BREEDING
Even since prehistoric times, humans have kept useful animals around the area they live. Over thousands of years, the domestication of dogs specifically has led to distinct types of dogs and breeding for various types of functionalities like hunting, livestock guardians, working dogs, sighthounds, tracking dogs, vermin control, etc. Nowadays many animals have become companion animals and even though many of these functionalities are not needed, those breeds are still bred.

During the mid-19th century when kennel/breed clubs developed, breeding became more intense, and many breeds developed since then. Dogs were now not only bred for functionality but for their unique mutations like shortened legs or faces, colours or textures, etc. Dog shows became a sport where you brag about the ‘’look’’ of the animal, sometimes their skills.

The first recognition of animals as ‘’sentient beings’’ (can experience feelings) which appeared in written law was in France in 1976 and has been included in Animal Welfare Acts in many countries since then. Many of these countries have very strict laws about animal welfare and breeding and they enforce the law, but in SA there is still a lot of work to be done.

Breeders & Brokers
I define breeders as anyone who allows their pet to have litters and then either exploits them for financial gain, for status or gives them away for free or hoard them. So, fundamentally there is no difference for us between a registered breeder, backyard breeder, or puppy mill. They all exploit animals for financial gain and animals pay the price. We divide the breeders basically into 3 categories:

Back yard Breeders
They have a couple of animals and do nothing to prevent them from having litters. In other cases, pets are deliberately bred so that the offspring can be sold and it is often these cases where overbreeding occurs. Basically, irresponsible pet owners.

Puppy Mills
They mass-produce animals in poor conditions. As many as they can, back-to-back as fast as they can.

Registered Breeders
Breeders treat living beings as commodities to be genetically manipulated for profit. It is crucial to understand that being registered does not make them responsible. The process for registration is way too easy and something we are working on. These individuals usually have a particular breed and they see themselves as ‘expert’ on the breed. Many also partake in dog shows to brag. It is either love of money or love of status that drives them. Many animals have been confiscated from “registered” breeders, by animal welfare organizations. So, this piece of paper means nothing to us! If we took away the money and status, how many people will continue to breed on purpose apart from the irresponsible owners?

Some breeders claim to be responsible, but when we have a massive overpopulation crisis and killing millions of healthy animals a year (at least 2800 a day in SA), then no breeding can be responsible or ethical. The fact that purebred animals in shelters have drastically increased over the last few years to 25 % and more is a clear sign of a deeply flawed argument.

Also, read about the bad arguments they use to justify the exploitation of animals.

Another problem that helps fuel this massive overpopulation crisis are the brokers and and animal dealers.

Brokers
These are people who are engaged in re-selling animals. Like a middle-man who adds their profit. This includes pet shops and individuals. If you allow people to advertise on your platforms or at your shop, then you are also part of this problem. Even when you are advertising for your friends/family! We have had people who start an animal welfare organization, but support breeding or breed themselves and some who use it as a front for being a pet shop.

Image: Pixabay

THE ETHICAL DILEMMA
There should be animal-ethical, political, and society-wide discussions regarding the future of pedigree breeding. Here are a few ethical questions to consider:

  • How far are we allowed to interfere in the genetic makeup of animals through breeding and genetic modification?
  • Is it acceptable to manufacture a dog that fits your wish list?
  • If a baby factory is not ok when it comes to humans, why would this be ok with other living beings?
  • Even though dogs adjust to adaptation relatively easily, should these adaptations through breeding be done for the next fashion craze, and what if the craze blows over?
  • What happens to the animal when the breeder has used them up?

THE WELFARE DILEMMA
Our concerns here are divided into mainly 4 issues, but not limited to just them and in no particular order. This includes, how the animals are kept, overpopulation, health & behaviour, and bad breeding practices.

How they are kept:
Remember that the breeder mentality sees these animals as commodities and not as companions. Some of these breeders keep the animals in terrible and confined conditions and this is the part that the public does not see, but animal welfare workers witness very often.

Health & Behaviour:
Dogs are monoestrous breeders meaning that they have one breeding cycle per year, however, this can vary between breeds. If a particular bloodline is continuously bred this amplifies both the good and bad attributes of the breed.

Although they have bred the look they want, they have also bred breed-specific health issues for each and every breed. The breeders brag about how they guarantee health, but what they can guarantee is that a Weimaraner’s stomach could turn at some stage, that a Great Dane will have heart problems, that an Alsatian will struggle with hip issues, or that a Bulldog could have breathing difficulties etc.

When used as commodities, many of these animals do not experience play or affection nor are they allowed the freedom of expressing natural behaviour, which is one of the 5 freedoms of animal welfare. Pregnancy and birth in any species come with inherent risks to the mother and the fetus. Repeating the cycle increases the risks. Do you know that some breeders use what we call rape-stands?

Many breeders want the parents to “look good”, so they remove the pups relatively early, so the mom’s mammaries do not sag. Removing them early is bad for the mom and pups. Studies have shown that it is ideal for pups and kittens to stay with their moms for up to 12/13 weeks. They learn valuable behaviour from their mom and if the breeder really cared about that then they would not let them go at 8 weeks or even earlier as the latest trends show, plus the breeder can make sure they get all their vaccinations up to 12 weeks. Letting them go early saves the breeder money. These sentient beings also experience the loss of the pups/kittens as any mother would with her baby. Don’t you think that matters?

BAD BREEDING PRACTICES

How they are disposed of:
If they maybe just used the bitch for four years, what happens to her afterward? They can’t possibly keep all of them if they made a business out of it? The average lifespan of dogs is much higher than just 4 or 6 years and the cost of proper care is not cheap. You do the maths. Many of them are dumped at shelters, sometimes even moms with the last litter or while still pregnant. Animals, like some parrots, easily live up to 60 years.

Tail docking & ear cropping
Tail docking and ear-cropping are the practices of removing an area of a dog’s tail or ear. It is purely for cosmetic reasons and is considered cruelty and illegal in many countries, including SA.  In addition to being cruel and unnecessary in addition to the ill effects it has on things like posture, and body language, and how bad you affect their dog-to-dog communication.

Overbreeding, inbreeding & early breeding
Overbreeding involves breeding an animal more than their body can safely handle resulting in detrimental health effects to the mother and her puppies while contributing to the overpopulation. Especially with puppy mills, inbreeding also occurs which can be detrimental for health. Breeding animals way too early is another concern.

Pushing limits
Some breeders push the limits causing extensive health issues for the dogs they are breeding. English bulldogs are a great example of this. Their breeding is heavily restricted in many countries or even banned.

Promoting purebred superiority
When people hear dog breeding, they hear purebred dog breeding. Often a mixed breed or rescue dog is referred to as a downgrade or “mutt”.

Not properly vetting the buyers:
How extensively do you think the breeders, who see these animals as commodities, really vet their buyers? How many breeders drive to the buyer’s house? Virtual home checks are not acceptable for me and follow-ups are crucial if you care about these animals. I believe animals are already in the wrong hands when they are from a breeder, so how can the wrong hands determine what is best for this animal?

Breeding animals creates a problem

Redesigned dog breeds
Dr. Karen Becker a veterinarian who understands the overpopulation crisis and genetics has written about how breeding has deformed once healthy dog breeds. She looks at 8 breeds specifically including what we call the poster child of bad breeding namely the English Bulldog. These are not the only ones though.

“Breeders may consider them ‘improvements,’ but when you take a closer look at how they’re affecting the dogs’ quality of life and longevity, but they’re anything but! Before humans began their “remodelling” project and playing god, dogs like the Bull Terrier, Boxer, English Bulldog, and Dachshund were well-proportioned, generally healthy, and physically active, but not anymore.

Over the years, several breeds have been deliberately fashioned to exaggerate certain physical traits at the expense of their health, longevity, and quality of life. Today’s German Shepherd Dog, with his sloped back and incoordination, is no longer the canine athlete he once was; the modern-day Pug comes with an extensive list of brachycephalic-related disorders that make his health a constant concern.Breeding physically resilient, healthy dogs has been replaced with breeding for the sole purpose of attaining twisted beauty pageant awards, and breeding for aesthetics has cost us the health of beloved breeds.”

As a veterinarian, Dr. Karen has seen first-hand the problems created when dogs are bred exclusively to achieve specific features, without concern for their health, mobility, or quality of life. It is deeply disturbing that, with all we know about the suffering these animals endure, breeders persist in exaggerating their dogs’ physical characteristics, even if it means sacrificing their health, and national kennel clubs condone it.

A note on genetics.  Anyone who knows anything about breeding knows that forcing two dogs that “look good”, to mate (whether they have papers or not) is not a guarantee of a good litter. Stellar genetics needs testing and an understanding of genetics. It is about bloodlines, not looking nice. Often an excuse for the exploitation of animals through breeding is that they care about the future of the breed.

I don’t buy into that narrative. If you are not doing genetic testing, behavioural assessments, keeping pups with mom for 12 weeks, and a whole bunch of other responsible actions then you do not really care about the future of that breed. If you crop ears or dock tails then you also do not care about the animals because it is cruel and unnecessary.

I agree with the Science and Dogs blogger, Caen Elegans, who concludes:

“No dog breed has ever been improved by the capricious and arbitrary decision that a shorter or longer or flatter or bigger or smaller or curlier ‘whatever’ is better. Condemning a dog to a lifetime of suffering for the sake of looks is not an improvement; it is torture.”

We domesticated these animals and created this problem, so it is now our moral duty to fix it and do better for these animals who do not have a voice in the matter. This animal welfare issue needs to be addressed through education, sterilization campaigns, and stricter breeding regulations.

What you can do?

  • Sterilize your pets.
  • Keep them safe in your yard.
  • Micro-chip them & put a tag on their collar.
  • Don’t support ”free to good home” ads.
  • Don’t support breeders of any kind or brokers including pet shops that sell live animals.
  • Adopt don’t shop (without physical home checks and sterilization their contracts it is not adoption, even if the organization is registered).
  • If you are familiar with the breeder, then invite them to a shelter with you.
  • Educate others.

Capitalizing on the life of an animal, especially since they don’t have the luxury of a choice, for personal and financial gain is one of the most selfish acts and causes many to lose their lives. Asking people nicely to consider the well-being of these animals doesn’t seem to have quite the effect and for that reason, we are working on legislation to put an end to the unnecessary killing of healthy animals because there are just not enough homes.

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Looking to adopt?
Search our Animal Welfare directory!

Cats – a neighborhood nuisance

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cat

Image: Pixabay

Cats – a neighborhood nuisance

Is your cat a neighborhood nuisance?

Keeping your cat safe and maintaining peaceful relations with your neighbors are important in any society.

While cats bring joy and comfort to our lives, they can sometimes unintentionally venture into behaviours that can be perceived as nuisances by others. From late-night serenades to mischievous garden antics, the challenges can be diverse. However, this bond comes with a responsibility to ensure that our beloved feline friends do not become a source of irritation or disruption to our neighbours.

I recently saw multiple local posts of people complaining about other people’s cats being a nuisance. Cats easily become a nuisance for others as they go into people’s yards or homes. The complaints include that they cause stress for the resident cat and other pets or eat their food, the mating and spraying rituals, pooping in others’ gardens, causing an uproar in the neighbourhood and more.

This article is dedicated to helping cat owners strike a balance between the joy of feline companionship, keeping your cat safe and the need to be considerate neighbours. It is possible to ensure that your cat’s presence is a source of delight for everyone in your community, fostering a harmonious environment where both humans and their furry friends can coexist happily.

Apart from the nuisance, the dangers free roaming poses for your cats are multiple. We live in a cruel, unforgiving and sick world. If you are on social media, follow the news, or just use Google, you should by now have been wholly terrified by the atrocities being committed against animals.

WHY IS IT DANGEROUS FOR YOUR CATS TO ROAM?

Unfortunately, living outdoors comes with a pretty serious set of risks for our small, furry friends. Dangers like, vehicle traffic, predators (both animal and human), attacks by dogs and poisons are all common encounters that cats face outdoors. By keeping your cat safe inside your yard, you extend their life span, save on vet bills, have peace of mind and are not responsible for a neighbourhood nuisance.

The fact is cats are getting lost or stolen or injured or killed and the most common causes of premature death are preventable! They are your responsibility. If you think the streets are not safe for your kids, why would you let your pets roam the streets? Most people will not poison or shoot your kids, but many have no problem doing it to cats or other animals.

When your cat becomes a nuisance to others, it can lead to various issues and potential dangers, both for your cat and your relationships with neighbours. Here are some of the dangers and consequences:

Potential for Harm to Your Cat:

  • Cats that roam freely outdoors may encounter dangers like traffic, other animals, and malicious individuals.
  • Cats are territorial and they can get into fights with other animals, become injured, and injure other animals.
  • Cats face the risk of theft or poisoning whether through intentional or unintentional products.
  • Cruel people shoot the cats illegally with pellet guns too. The bullets rarely if ever, kill them immediately or directly, so they are paralyzed when lodged in the spine or they can bleed to death, or die of hunger and dehydration because they can’t move etc.
  • Cats get caught in snares set in fields by cattle herders and others to catch animals for food.
  • Cats, not just black cats, are being used as offerings in witchcraft. Yes, we have had local cases and witches are living among us.
  • Cats can be stolen and used as bait animals in dog fights.
  • When cats are frightened or during heavy or cold weather, they sometimes find shelter in car engines and you do not want to hear the horrible stories we can share on this. Cats won’t get trapped in other people’s sheds and garages or car engines or jump into vehicles.

Stress and Anxiety for Other Animals: People who own birds and possible prey for cats have to worry about keeping their animals safe in their own yard because someone wasn’t a responsible owner. Imagine your predator walking around your cage. Our dogs and those in our street go crazy when these cats taunt them and this anxiety created by this issue is not good for the other animals.

Safety Hazards: Cats that wander onto roads can cause traffic accidents and pose a risk to both drivers and themselves. Cats have not attended traffic school and are not familiar with cars as people assume, especially feral cats. You may think that your kitty is street-savvy but be assured they can just as easily be a victim. They can also be distracted, chase something or be chased, and then get hit by a car. There are frequent “hit by a car” situations we see as we drive around. Even if they do survive the Vet bills can be high and the recovery or suffering can be hard and long.

Health Hazards: If your cat is not properly vaccinated, they may pose a health risk to other pets in the neighbourhood. Diseases like feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) can be transmitted to other cats through fighting, close contact or contact with feces. Parasites, such as worms, fleas, and ticks are another danger outdoor cats are exposed to. They also bring them home and expose your family or other animals to these parasites.

Strained Neighbour Relations: Continuous disturbances caused by your cat, such as incessant meowing, digging in gardens, or pooping in neighbour’s yards, can strain relationships with your neighbours. This can lead to conflicts, disputes, and an overall unpleasant living environment.

Legal Issues: In some areas, local ordinances or bylaws may regulate pet ownership and behaviour. If your cat repeatedly causes disturbances, you could face legal consequences or fines from local authorities. We are pushing for local bylaws too because asking people nicely to keep their animals safe doesn’t work. Cats with destructive behaviour, such as scratching furniture or digging in gardens, can cause damage to neighbours’ property, leading to repair costs and further tension.

Overpopulation Crisis: Unfortunately, many cats who are allowed to roam are not sterilized. Cats can have 3 litters of 4-6 kittens a year from as young as 4 months. You do the maths. Unsterilised and roaming cats add to the massive overpopulation crisis we face. You will either end up with kittens or cause others to have kittens because your cat was not sterilized.

To prevent these dangers, it’s essential to take responsible measures as a cat owner, such as keeping your cat indoors, supervising outdoor activities, addressing behavioural issues, and maintaining open communication with your neighbours. This way, you can ensure both your cat’s safety and positive relations with those around you.

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Image: Pixabay

STRATEGIES TO PREVENT YOUR CAT FROM BECOMING A NUISANCE

Now that we have looked at the “why”, let us look at the “how” when we will explore some practical ideas to cat-proof your property, and keep your cat safe.

Indoor Living: Consider keeping your cat indoors. Indoor cats are less likely to roam, get into altercations with other animals, or disturb neighbours. If you’re concerned about their mental and physical stimulation, provide plenty of toys, scratching posts, and interactive play.

Supervised Outdoor Time: If you’d like your cat to enjoy the outdoors, create a secure outdoor enclosure or use a leash and harness for supervised outdoor excursions. This allows them to experience the outdoors safely without bothering neighbours or endangering wildlife. Invest in a good quality cat harness and acclimatise your cat to the harness from a young age. With patience and persistence, older cats will also get used to it.

Litter Box Maintenance: Ensure your cat’s litter box is kept clean and odour-free. Regularly scoop and clean the box to prevent unpleasant odours from drifting into neighbouring areas.

Proper Identification: Make sure your cat wears a collar with an ID tag containing your contact information. Consider microchipping your cat as an extra layer of identification and make sure your microchip is registered, with the right contact details, on multiple platforms. Non-breakaway collars cause cats to get stuck in dangerous situations, so please choose breakaway collars with tags.

Avoiding Nocturnal Disruptions: Cats are crepuscular and are most active at dusk and dawn anyway. Most cats will adapt to living indoors. If your cat has difficulty adjusting, start by gradually increasing the time they spend indoors. Start with a part of the evening, gradually increasing the time. To prevent late-night meowing or roaming, engage your cat in interactive play sessions during the day to tire them out before bedtime and make sure they are inside by nightfall.

Neutering/Spaying: Ensure your cat is neutered or spayed. This can reduce territorial and mating-related behaviours that might lead to conflicts with other animals and nuisance behaviours. You female that is not spayed will attract males of owners who do not keep their cats safe either. Males will travel kilometers after females in heat.

Communicate with Neighbours: Maintain open communication with your neighbours. Let them know that you’re aware of your cat’s actions and that you’re taking steps to address any concerns they may have.

Provide Distractions: Offer your cat engaging activities, such as puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and window perches, to keep them occupied and reduce boredom-related behaviours. Using catnip is another option.

Training and Socialization: Early socialization and basic training can help your cat become more well-behaved and responsive to commands, reducing potential nuisances.

Seek Professional Help: If your cat’s behaviour continues to be a nuisance despite your efforts, consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviourist for personalized guidance and solutions.

Fencing and Barriers: If your cat tends to wander, consider installing cat-proof fencing or barriers in your yard to keep them contained. Building an enclosure or securing your garden will protect your cat from the many dangers associated with roaming. Let’s elaborate on this……

Cat

Image: The Paw company

HOW TO PREVENT YOUR CAT FROM LEAVING THE YARD.

FENCE YOUR YARD

Yes, it can be done. I have found some very practical ideas on Google and Pet Safety Solutions, to demonstrate this point. Even if you start with just a portion of your yard cordoned off, for the cats, it will be better than letting them roam freely. Ideas range from:

  • High walls (above 6ft), with pet-safe electric fencing on top. If needed, raise your fence.
  • Attach rotating pipes, gutter pipes, or spinning paddles to existing walls.
  • Angled fencing on top of an existing wall, is just as effective and can also be done by yourself.
  • Trees can be trimmed regularly and wrapped with plastic or PVC “dividers” so that they cannot be climbed and still allow cats access to the outside.

BUILD A CATIO

A catio can be made of metal, wood, or any other durable material. Just make sure the materials used are non-toxic and free from sharp edges. It can be attached to your house, with access through a window or cat flap, or a separate enclosure on the property. A Catio can be a simple window box, a large enclosure, with, or without grass, or a small box with grass. Wheatgrass purchased in the veggie department of your local supermarket, makes a safe alternative to grass, for cats to nibble on. You can put cat furniture, litterboxes and other items in the catio, to keep it interesting for your cat.

OTHER METHODS

Together with fences, you can plant certain species of plants that cats dislike, however, you need to make sure it is not poisonous to them. Some cats seem to dislike the smell of rue, lavender, pennyroyal, coleus Canina and lemon thyme. Cats also seem to not like (safer options) strong citrus scents, cinnamon, and fresh, unbrewed coffee grounds and some sources suggest human hair smell as well. This might not apply to all cats.

If you really cannot apply any of the above, try creating a routine for your cat. For example, a lick of wet food in the morning to make sure they check in and again in the evening. Once they are in for the evening, close them in until the morning. Yes, you can do it and your cat will not be harmed.

Less cats are microchipped and people take much longer before they start searching for their missing cat. Most people assume the roaming cat lives nearby and then these cats are not reported.

In conclusion, responsible cat ownership entails much more than simply providing food, water, and shelter. It involves a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of your feline friend and being considerate of your neighbours and the environment.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT AN ANIMAL WHO APPEARS TO BE A NUISANCE……SOMEWHERE HAS A HUMAN WHO FAILED THEM. BLAME THE HUMAN, NOT THE ANIMAL.

The same way you keep your cats in, you can keep other cats out if you don’t want them in your yard. Please report cruelty to cats which includes any poisoning or shootings. For assistance with cat-proofing your yard, you can contact Pet Safety Solutions. We have not worked with them directly and it is not a paid endorsement, but frequently see their posts and creative ideas.

By now you will realise the point is that cats do not need to roam outdoors to be happy. Provide for their basic needs at home, and they can live longer and healthier lives when safely confined to your yard or home. You do not need to spend lots of money to keep your cat safe, but can you put a price on safety anyway?

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin

Necessity of euthanasia

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euthanasia

Necessity of euthanasia

The unfortunate necessity of euthanasia (PTS)

Most people will never walk into an animal shelter and most animals will never walk out…

The recent closure of the Highveld Ridge SPCA has left many angry after the NSPCA came here twice in three months and euthanized many animals.  Look, although I am not a supporter of the NSPCA or SPCA movement and think the NSPCA inspectors acted in a disgraceful manner, I believe many do not understand the reality of what is going on in terms of animal numbers. The NSPCA and SPCA movement is a whole other problem that needs to be addressed, but I will leave that for another day.  Today, I will focus on the reality we face in animal welfare.

Euthanasia, or the humane ending of an animal’s life, remains a contentious issue within the realm of animal welfare. The decision to put animals to sleep is a heartbreaking and difficult one, often resulting from the overwhelming challenge of overpopulation. While organizations, such as animal welfare groups, strive to find homes for animals through adoption and marketing efforts, the sheer number of homeless and abused animals far exceeds available resources. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind the need for euthanasia (for now), emphasizing the importance of sterilization, education, responsible ownership, and the necessity for legislation in mitigating this crisis.

OVERPOPULATION CRISIS – THE NUMBERS

We have a MASSIVE OVERPOPULATION CRISIS on our hands.  This is especially for cats and dogs, but birds, rabbits, and other animals too. Not just a problem…A CRISIS‼!

Millions of animals are taken in by shelters worldwide and unfortunately, millions are euthanized annually. THERE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH HOMES for all these animals.  I am not even talking about good homes (which is a whole other debate), just homes. If you have not volunteered in animal welfare, nor read our posts then you might not even begin to grasp the extent, so here is a bit of perspective:

euthanasia

Pet overpopulation – Image shared via Spay and Neuter SA

  • It is estimated that 1 (one) unsterilized female dog, her female offspring, and their offspring over a period of 6 years can produce a total of 67 000 (sixty-seven thousand)) puppies. The equivalent situation is even worse for cats where it is estimated that 1 (one) unsterilized female cat, her female offspring and their offspring over 7 years can produce a total of 370 000 kittens.
  • SPCA numbers: In one month, just three small to medium SPCAs received 982 animals; two-thirds were surrendered by owners, and a third were strays found in the streets. In South Africa, there are 69 SPCAs and an estimated 450 private shelters/NPOs. Out of the 982 animals mentioned earlier, only 50 were adopted, and 20 were claimed. This means that these three SPCAs only, had an excess of 912 animals.  It comes to more than 90% of the animals having to be euthanized.

If you don’t want them to euthanize, what do you expect them to do with all the animals?

  • A global pet homelessness index revealed that about 4 million animals (cats and dogs) are homeless in SA, with approximately 650,000 ending up in shelters.
  • It is estimated that in SA, about 2800 animals are euthanized (put to sleep) per day due to a lack of available homes.

Animal welfare organizations received a staggering number of animals, creating an overflow that shelters struggle to accommodate. The breeding culture, supported by both “registered” and backyard breeders, exacerbates the problem, leading to the unavoidable reality of euthanasia. The overwhelming number of animals in need surpasses the capacity for available homes, placing an immense burden on organizations.

They breed them faster than we can safe them!

euthanasia

Animal shelters – Image by The Paw Company

WHO IS TO BLAME?

To clarify, I don’t distinguish between backyard breeders, puppy mills, owners who allow their pets to have litters, and so-called “responsible” breeders.  They are all causing the problem. No breeding is responsible when we have to humanely kill 2800 healthy animals a day.

Unregulated breeding, unregulated trading of animals as well as irresponsible ownership is the problem.

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The photo is of an unadopted dog on the way to being euthanized. Image shared via The Paw Company

TODAY I TOOK MY FINAL WALK

Today I took my final walk…because you didn’t sterilise your pets and they had a litter!

Today I took my final walk…because you moved and I was not included in your plans!

Today I took my final walk…because you supported free to good home ads!

Today I took my final walk…because you supported breeders!

Today I took my final walk…because you kept breeding!

Today I took my final walk…because you let me roam the streets!

Today I took my final walk…because I didn’t suit your lifestyle!

Today I took my final walk….because you abandoned me!

Today I took my final walk…because you were too lazy to seek behavioural experts or to stimulate/exercise me!

Today I took my final walk…because there are just not enough homes for us all!

Today I took my final walk…because you are a selfish human!

Blame these people for the overpopulation crisis and be angry at them! You can also help by not doing or supporting any of the above!

We also need a shift in societal attitudes, urging people to adopt instead of supporting breeders and pet shops.

THE ROLE OF ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS

Animal welfare organizations play a vital role in rescuing and caring for animals, often becoming the last resort for those in need. However, the limitations in available kennel space force organizations to make heart-wrenching decisions about which animals to keep and which ones, unfortunately, have to be euthanized. The emotional toll on staff is immense, as they bear witness to the consequences of irresponsible breeding and ownership and the same goes for the kind veterinarians who offer this service to organizations.

Even the shelters that are pro-life must either show animals away at some point or they must euthanize them for space. Both being terrible decisions. Keeping them in cages indefinitely is also cruel. I don’t know 10 people who want to adopt right now, do you?

Read more to understand this emotional experience and difficult decision for rescuer organisations or rescue veterinarians, when rescue animals take their final walk.

STERILIZATION AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS

Another issue contributing to overpopulation is the lack of sterilization of companion animals. Financial constraints prevent many owners, especially in economically disadvantaged areas, from affording the cost of sterilization, which can range from R650 to R1200 or more. This economic dilemma forces individuals to choose between feeding their pets and sterilizing them. The burden falls on organizations like animal welfare groups to deal with the consequences.

In the Netherlands, they addressed this issue succesfully with stricter laws and making sterlization free and easily accessible.

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Animal Overpopulation – R.I.P dear souls – Image shared by Spay and Neuter SA

THE SOLUTION

THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Asking nicely has proven insufficient in addressing the root causes of overpopulation. Legislation will become a necessary tool to enforce compulsory sterilization and breeding regulations in South Africa. The government must also play a role in regulating the trade of animals and ensuring that responsible ownership practices are upheld. Without a legal frameworks, the cycle of irresponsible breeding will persist, leading to more animals in need and a continued reliance on euthanasia to manage the crisis.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF STERILIZATION AND EDUCATION

Large-scale sterilization campaigns and educational initiatives emerge as crucial solutions to combat overpopulation. However, organizations face challenges in implementing these strategies due to financial constraints. While we don’t have enough legislation yet, the public will need to offer support to fund sterilization efforts.

Look, we should not stop sterilizing as every animal that cannot breed will not contribute to the problem, however, at this stage, it seems they are breeding animals faster than we can sterilize and safe them.

At a recent spay day shared by Change for the Better Foundation, they successfully handled 47 animals. However, 8 of them were pregnant. If allowed to give birth, these 35 babies would necessitate another spay day. We can’t get ahead if breeding is not regulated, creating a vicious cycle. Shelters can’t kill what they don’t receive!

Let that sink in.

euthanasia

Image by Spay and Neuter SA

FACING THE REALITY

Animal welfare organizations are on the frontline, grappling with the heartbreaking decision of euthanasia due to limited resources and overwhelming demand. The plea is for individuals to understand the gravity of the situation and actively contribute to solutions. Whether through volunteering, adopting, financially supporting sterilization campaigns or supporting legislative effors……. everyone has a role to play in addressing the overpopulation crisis. This includes sterlization of your own animals and not allowing them in the streets.

The public rarely sees or understands what is really going on. Those in animal welfare are in tears at least once a day. They want to give up multiple times a day.  The suffering is heartbreaking and that is on top of, deciding who lives or dies or having to say no to one animal after your 20th call that day.  They get depressed and suicides are very high in this industry.  I fear a day when there are too few of us left. This can all be avoided if people are more responsible.

The overpopulation crisis in animal welfare demands urgent attention and action. Sterilization, education, responsible ownership, and legislative measures are vital components of a comprehensive solution. Until these measures are embraced on a larger scale, the heartbreaking decision to euthanize animals will remain an unfortunate reality. It is a collective responsibility to alleviate the burden on animal welfare organizations and create a more compassionate and sustainable future for our furry companions.

Humans domesticated and bred these animals, humans created the problem, humans are failing them, and humans need to fix it!

WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, YOU DO BETTER!

Source: The Bulletin