Discussing Why Pets Are Homeless And Ways To Prevent It
Homelessness is a very serious issue for both people and their pets. There is no right or wrong answer on how to solve homelessness as there are many reasons for why people and pets become homeless in the first place. The first step to helping homeless people and pets is to talk about it. The more we discuss the topic as a whole, the closer we can get to finding an answer to both prevent it and remedy it. The purpose of this article is to discuss the complex nature of homelessness, how it happens, what can be done to prevent it, and how we can help both people and pets escape the struggles of homelessness. Keep reading to learn more and be a part of the solution.
A Holiday For Homeless Pets
The third Saturday of August is officially known as International Homeless Animals Day. This year (2022) it will fall on August 20th. The overall purpose of this holiday is to put a spotlight on homeless pets and the struggles they experience on a daily basis. Many people don’t know or think about homeless pets, but it is a serious problem as both pets and humans need a safe place to call home in order to thrive and prosper. By spreading awareness about homeless pets we hope to help and inspire others to get involved and help solve this epidemic that affects far more pets than you would think.
How To Prevent Homelessness
There are a variety of reasons why a pet might end up homeless. They ran away from home and were never found by their owners, their owners abandoned them, their owners passed away and they were left to fend for themselves, their parents are homeless thus they were born with no place to call home, etc. Regardless of the circumstances or the reasoning, far too many pets end up homeless. The biggest contributor to pet homelessness is overpopulation (especially in cats and dogs). Even with the thousands of animal shelters across the country, there are still too many stray cats and dogs for the shelters to take in. Overpopulation itself stems from several factors including irresponsible breeding tactics, puppy/kitten mills, people not spaying/neutering their pets, and overall careless pet ownership. Strongly consider having your pet spayed/neutered and always know exactly where your pet is coming from if you are purchasing one (although we always recommend adoption instead). If you would like to learn more about dog adoption, check out our previous article entitled Adopt A Dog Month. If you would like to learn more about cat adoption, check out our other article entitled Adopt A Shelter Cat Month.
How To Help Those That Are Currently Homeless
If you also agree that pet homelessness is a serious issue and would like to help; don’t just read about it, do something about it. Spread the word about International Homeless Animals Day with your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to help get the ball rolling. Odds are if you’re a pet lover, then you know plenty of other pet lovers too! They will most likely want to get involved as well. Get in touch with your local animal shelters and volunteer your time as animal shelters are always looking for more volunteers. It may seem like a small contribution, but every little bit counts. Animal shelters take on homeless pets, promote spaying/neutering, and provide new pet owners with the information they need to be a responsible pet owner. If you’re interested in adopting or volunteering at an animal shelter, check out the ASPCA official website for more information.
Being Part Of The Solution
Being homeless is a serious problem, but every problem has a solution. Simply by reading this article, you have taken the first step to being a part of that solution. Being aware of homeless animals and the holiday that aims to solve it is a crucial part of the process. We hope you now have the knowledge, courage, and determination to help tackle this problem at its core. Get in touch with your local animal shelters and donate your time because you can make a difference. One step at a time!
0 Comments