My family loves animals and I got my first pet (a cat) at the age of 5. Over the years I’ve owned multiple hamsters, gerbils, birds, turtles, fish and now I’m the proud mom to a 10 year old dog, Nellari. Owning and taking care of an animal has always been a part of my life and its a big responsibility.
Animals are a lot like humans…they have their basic needs (food, water and shelter) and then their extra needs (medical care, physical exercise and love). Many people get them as pets and then neglect them after their “newness” wears off. While most humans love their pets, sadly there are a lot who also abuse & neglect them. Today, I’m sharing a very important guest-post article with you and for all of the animal lovers in our lives.
In recognition of Animal Cruelty Month this April, canine authority Jeffrey Scott Franklin, owner and operator of Cobra Canine, is sharing six ways to prevent animal cruelty.
6 Things You Can Do to Prevent Animal Cruelty
1. Don’t get a pet as a toy or an impulse decision. The people who aren’t up for the 8 to 15-year commitment of responsibility (financially, physically and emotionally) are often times the ones who end up sending their pet to a shelter or simply not caring for the pet as is required. Pets need food, shelter, regular baths and nail clippings, vet checks, vaccines and in their lifetimes some sort of vet care or geriatric care may become necessary. Be prepared for these and this will make sure animals aren’t neglected.
2. If you don’t know much about dogs (or any specific animal in question), don’t breed them. Let experts do the breeding work. Enjoy your pet to his or her fullest- without adding more animals that may or may not end up in great homes. While we aren’t advocates of spaying or neutering until at least two years of age, we do believe in being responsible if your pet is around other animals.
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter. If you feel the need to have a fuzzy pet friend, but not a lot of time- donate your time and energy to a local shelter. Go walk a few dogs and pet some animals that need some love and attention. There are never enough volunteers at these places.
4. Keep them warm and cozy. Donate extra blankets and care items you may already have in your home to local shelters.
5. Report suspicious activity. If you see animals that are maltreated, mistreated or neglected- report it. You won’t get backlash for this from the authorities- but you very well may save an animal’s life in the process. If we keep our eyes and ears open, animals have a much better chance at having a good life or potentially, a great life and a second chance.
6. Adopt or donate money to shelters. We have found many strays over the years, and helped them medically, given them training, and found them loving homes. If you see an animal that needs some TLC, or a home- help as you are able.
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I appreciate that you are making more people aware of the ways to prevent animal cruelty. I agree with all of these tips.
While I agree with most I do have some issues with #2 “While we aren’t advocates of spaying or neutering until at least two years of age,” Cats can be spayed / neutered as young as 8 weeks or when they meet the weight requirement. Most though do say to do it before 5 months because at 6 months she will go into first heat. Dogs they say 5-9 months but they also can be altered much earlier. Many shelter alter as soon as thy are able to do so .
I think so much of the abuse can be avoided with education and with people becoming very aware of adopt don’t shop. This is not to say there are not ethical breeders and some feeling they need a designer dog or cat, but do your homework about breeds first. And for goodness sake, match senior animals with senior people unless there is a plan in place.
I too love animals. They have given me so much joy over the years. I hate to see them being not cared for or mistreated. I just don’t understand some people.
I appreciated this post and wanted to thank you for taking the time to post it. Animals are so very special and are lovely in every way. I donate whenever I can to local animals shelters and organizations and always keep my eyes open to make sure that if I see an animal being mistreated I do something about it. With summer around the corner, I will keep my eyes open for animals locked in vehicles with all the windows rolled up at local stores that really makes me mad. Again, thank you for posting this one.
Thank you for this post. Seeing animals that are abused and neglected makes me so sad. We need to make sure that folks spay and neuter their pets so all animals have the homes they deserve.