Abandonment is not an option!

It is believed that the domestication process started approximately 33 thousand years ago and
since then it evolved as a common practice aiming to make several animals’ species live among
humans (National Geographic, 2019). Whether for the purpose of companionship, helping in the
education of a child, guarding a property, assisting in specific works such as supporting a visually
impaired person, a person with autism and others special needs, or even in cargo transportation or
integrated to the military force, the possibilities of choice are countless and contain different species,
breeds, colors, sizes and personalities. They are cute, intelligent, loyal, extremely friendly and capable
of providing emotional support to those who allow this experience of connection.

However, whether for lack of commitment, space, time or money, many of these well-
intentioned investments result in a tragic end: a scenario which involves a living-being being discarded
as an object. The old companion is now alone, confused, hungry, thirsty, exposed to weather changes,
in an unknown place, and must discover by itself how to survive in extreme conditions in a completely
new world (Dharamsala, 2018). The negligent act of abandonment will present consequences not only
to the animal, who might suffer changes in behavior (fear, aggressivity, depression), injuries,
susceptibility to diseases or even death, but also to the community, because when feeling scared and
hurt, the animal could cause traffic accidents, attacks to people or collaborate to the increase of
pollution, while searching for food and fulfilling its physiological needs (Four Paws, 2021).

The government could intervene with a public veterinary health system or other sort of
financial aid to support the inherent expenses associated with the ownership of a domestic animal.
Although, this would only represent a quick fix and still it might have other factors of great impact in
lifestyle that could lead the person to commit the selfish and criminal act of abandonment. A different
and possible situation is seen when, for example, a person does not wisely plan their future and even
though, decides to adopt a pet. Some years later the individual realizes that it was not the right choice
because there are no conditions to keep it. This person has the moral obligation to find a new home
or a shelter to take care of the pet, instead of leaving it on its own. The problem is that many shelters
and NGOs depend on donations and are struggling with the rising numbers of abandoned animals, so
they may need to resort to euthanasia (OneGreenPlanet, 2013). Once again, there is an adverse result
to the animal. This fact could be avoided by simply reflecting on adoption before adopting. If, when
analyzing future possibilities, it is verified that it is not the right moment to have your own pet, there
are already apps and platforms available on the market which provide ways for the person to take
care of someone else's puppies, kittens and many other animals, satisfying your transient desire and
still receiving money for doing that. In this case, no one loses.

Research conducted in Spain has shown that economic factors are included among the main
common causes for dumping a pet (Affinity Foundation, 2019) and, according to The Humane Society
of the United States reports, “for every homeless person in America, there are five homeless animals”
(PetCareRx, 2022). Both former and latter data suggest a need for a public veterinary health system,
so that consults, exams, medications and surgeries could be performed and obtained without
impacting the pet owner’s income. Thus, even in the case of a homeless person, their companion could
be benefited. The problem is that the financial issue is only the tip of the iceberg and there are other
relevant reasons why an animal might end up on the streets. For example, when its owner dies or
moves to a smaller residence or still when a couple divorces; all these situations continue to exert
considerable influence on the decision of abandonment.

Considering the hypothesis that someone already owns a pet and, for any reason, realizes that
they can not maintain it, it is of extreme importance that this person finds a new home or a shelter
for their fellow, ensuring its care. Animals on the streets have higher chances to produce unwanted
litters, since according to the data obtained by The North Shore Animal League Spay USA, “only 10%
of animals brought into shelters get neutered or spayed” (PetCareRx, 2022). This situation further
exacerbates the overcrowding of the shelters and steadily increases the number of animals that will
need to be euthanized, a number that, according to the records of the Shelter Animals Count, reached
the value of 920 thousand only in 2019 (ASPCA, n.d.).

Finally, when deep and genuine planning is done, taking into account all involved factors,
considering future obstacles and possible solutions, if an individual conclude that although they wish
a pet, this is not the right moment to acquire one, nowadays it is possible to register on websites and
apps which permit the person to experience the best of the both worlds: this person will enjoy the
companionship of a buddy, being exempt from long-term liabilities and still getting paid for it. In other
words, this person will have companionship when desired, freedom when needed and they will
receive money instead of spending it. All this added to the fact that there are no disadvantages from
the animal’s perspective, which would not have to suffer any physical or psychological consequences
provided by abandonment.

Therefore, the act of purchasing or adopting an animal must be carefully planned and require
previous research, preparation and commitment by the future owner and by every person who might
be included in that decision. Any unforeseen events, which will surely come, must be solved
considering the pets’ welfare, always respecting it and caring for its quality of life, so that neither the
pet, the owner or the society will need to deal with the harmful consequences of impulsive and
irresponsible choices, made in the heat of the moment.

References

Affinity Foundation - https://www.fundacion-affinity.org/en

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - https://www.aspca.org

Dharamsala, Animal Rescue - https://dharamsalaanimalrescue.org

DoSomething - https://www.dosomething.org/us

Four Paws International - https://www.four-paws.org

National Geographic - https://www.nationalgeographic.com

One Green Planet - https://www.onegreenplanet.org

PetCareRx - https://www.petcarerx.com

USLegal - https://definitions.uslegal.com

Taynah Wenzel Martins

Chanmeet Dhillon

ILAC – Pathway 3