Over 250,000 cats and dogs are euthanised in animal shelters across Australia ear year due to the fact that no one wants these animals and the pounds just don’t have enough room to house all of the animals that are surrendered.
One NSW Pound is working towards a zero kill rate for rehomable animals by June 2011 and has seen the number of animals euthanised reduce from 60% down to 22% over a 2 year period.
A commonsense measure such as compulsory de-sexing of every animal that leaves the facility is a fabulous initiative as it prevents accidental breeding when a dog “escapes” from his or her owners property.
Further, a de-sexed animal is of no value to a backyard breeder for obvious reasons. “Wyong pound” (Central Coast, NSW) is looking at other programs to re-home animals into the community and is investigating funding pets for therapeutic reasons to assist the elderly and disabled. Many dogs and cats in the pounds are old timers who would be well suited as a companion animal for elderly or less active person.
Why are our pounds overflowing ?
Many animals find themselves in the pound through no fault of their own. Often when an owner’s circumstances change; the first thing to go is the dog or cat.
In addition, if an animal is no longer suitable such as the impulse buy puppy that has now grown into a much bigger dog who needs regular exercise to keep them out stimulated and out of mischief.
Add in the lucrative business of the backyard breeders who advertise through the trading post and cats and dogs essentially become weapons of mass production for commercial gain.
Pet shops also keep freighting in more animals to meet consumer demand, although there are animals on death row at the local pound
through no fault of their own.
I strongly urge you to check out the local pound when considering buying a dog. Consider Wyong Council which includes the following for all cats and dogs sold from its facility.
Prices for dogs include microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, C5 vaccination, heartworm test, health check, 5 dog training sessions and a 14 Day Health Warranty. Prices for cats include microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, F3 vaccination, health check and 14 Day Health Warranty – information copied from Wyong Council“
Alternatively, if you can’t handle the barking and decision making process of choosing a dog at the pound, then opt for an animal from a rescue organisation such as www.doggierescue.com or www.paws.com.au as it makes way for another dog to be rescued from the pound.
dogelicious 