There are a few questions you should ask yourself before making such a big decision.
Firstly, can you afford it?
Think in the long term and calculate all the costs. The average lifetime cost of owning a dog or cat, for instance, is up to £17,200. Consider the cost of food, injections, being neutered and don’t forget sporadic vet bills.
Do you have the time?
What hours do you work? Will you have time to take a dog for a walk at least twice a day? It is recommended not to leave a dog alone for longer than four hours a day.
Can you give them everything they need?
Do you live in a house with a big garden? Or do you have a one bedroom flat – depending on the animal you’re after, be sure you have the space to make them happy and healthy throughout their life
The number of animals neglected in 2015
January – 741
February – 716
March – 684
April – 655
May – 599
June – 830
July – 1,087
August – 834
September – 891
October – 693
November – 713
December – 626
February – 716
March – 684
April – 655
May – 599
June – 830
July – 1,087
August – 834
September – 891
October – 693
November – 713
December – 626
The real peak in animal neglect is actually in the summer, with more than 1,000 animals left homeless.
And the RSPCA believe it could be because the Christmas novelty has finally worn off.
The spokesman added: ‘We will never know why these animals are just discarded like rubbish. It could be for any number of reasons. Whether it is the fact that more pets are abandoned in the summer because the novelty of their Christmas present pet has worn off by the summer.’
Shelters warn against giving pets as presents
ANIMAL ORGANISATIONS are pleading with residents to provide homes for pets abandoned during
the festive season.
Both Leigh Dogs and Cats Home and the RSPCA have witnessed a huge surge in the number of pets being dumped on them.
Other similar charities across the country are also complaining of suffering from the same dilemma, saying that fewer people are adopting animals because of the costs involved.
Due to the ongoing recession, more people are abandoning pets when they count up the cost of vets' bills and food.
Others have simply changed their minds about pets bought as presents for loved ones.
Linda Buxton, from Leigh Dogs and Cats Home, said: "In my 20 years as manager here this is one of the worst periods of pets being abandoned that I have ever seen.
"We had almost 50 pets brought to us before Christmas, and then another 30 to 40 afterwards. "There were 12 dumped on us in just one day. We usually rehome a lot of animals after Christmas, but that just hasn't happened this time around."
The RSPCA had to deal with 108 abandoned animals in the North West between December 24 and December 28.
An RSPCA spokesman said: "There is never any excuse for abandoning an animal. Owners should be responsible.
"They need to prepare themselves for the unforeseen, whether it's their animals becoming poorly, having an accident or a change in personal circumstances.
"They are now legally obliged to care for their pets' needs."
Bill Stubbs, branch manager for the Wigan, Leigh and District branch, said: "We are currently in the process of setting up a scheme that a couple of other branches use called Safe Haven.
"At times when a pet is in danger of being abandoned, or when an owner is very ill, we will make arrangements to take it in or take some duty of care. This way when a disaster happens it will not be a crisis and we can started helping an animal right away.
the festive season.
Both Leigh Dogs and Cats Home and the RSPCA have witnessed a huge surge in the number of pets being dumped on them.
Other similar charities across the country are also complaining of suffering from the same dilemma, saying that fewer people are adopting animals because of the costs involved.
Due to the ongoing recession, more people are abandoning pets when they count up the cost of vets' bills and food.
Others have simply changed their minds about pets bought as presents for loved ones.
Linda Buxton, from Leigh Dogs and Cats Home, said: "In my 20 years as manager here this is one of the worst periods of pets being abandoned that I have ever seen.
"We had almost 50 pets brought to us before Christmas, and then another 30 to 40 afterwards. "There were 12 dumped on us in just one day. We usually rehome a lot of animals after Christmas, but that just hasn't happened this time around."
The RSPCA had to deal with 108 abandoned animals in the North West between December 24 and December 28.
An RSPCA spokesman said: "There is never any excuse for abandoning an animal. Owners should be responsible.
"They need to prepare themselves for the unforeseen, whether it's their animals becoming poorly, having an accident or a change in personal circumstances.
"They are now legally obliged to care for their pets' needs."
Bill Stubbs, branch manager for the Wigan, Leigh and District branch, said: "We are currently in the process of setting up a scheme that a couple of other branches use called Safe Haven.
"At times when a pet is in danger of being abandoned, or when an owner is very ill, we will make arrangements to take it in or take some duty of care. This way when a disaster happens it will not be a crisis and we can started helping an animal right away.
No comments:
Post a Comment