 |
| Dogpawfile.com |
In a recent study by the National Council of Pet Population
Study and Policy, researchers went into 12 selected animal shelters the United
States for a year to find out why.
The results of the study show that the seven main reasons
for abandoning dogs and cats are the same. "These similarities suggest
that there may be similar ways to address abandoned dogs and cats," "For
people who work in a shelter all day, there is not always have time to address
these issues. We have impressions of what is happening, but we now have
objective data that will help us to develop specific programs to address the
issues that have been identified. "
Reasons why animals are abandoned
For dogs:
Moving (7%)
Owner will not allow pets (6%)
Too many animals in household (4%)
Cost of maintaining the animals (5%)
The owner has personal problems (4%)
Inadequate facilities (4%)
No houses available at the same range (3%)
Do not have time for a pet (4%)
Pet Health (es) (4%)
Biting (3%)
For cats:
Mobile (8%)
Owner will allow pets (6%)
Too many animals in the household (11%)
Cost of maintenance pets (6%)
The owner with personal problems (4%)
Inadequate facilities (2%)
No available homes at the same range (6%)
Allergies Family (8%)
House soiling (5%)
Incompatibility with other pets (2%)
Trained researchers completed confidential with pet owners who
surrendered their dogs or cats in animal shelters individual interviews. Pet
owners were allowed to give up to five reasons for abandonment. The
investigators did not, however, prioritize responses. They simply recorded in
the order listed.
Characteristics of animals being relinquished
In addition to the reasons for abandoning the study data
collected on animals being abandoned. According to the study:
The majority of dogs rendered (47.7%) and cats (40.3%) were
between 5 months and 3 years.
The majority of dogs (37.1%) and cats (30.2) were held from
7 months to 1 year.
About half of the pets (42.8% of dogs, cats 50.8%) were not
given sterilized. Many abandoned animals (33% of dogs; 46.9% of cats) had not
been to a vet.
Animals acquired from friends were given away in greater numbers
(31.4% of dogs; 33.2% of cats) than any other source.
Nearly equal number of dogs and cats male and female were
issued.
Most dogs (96%) had received no obedience training.
