NEW YORK, NY — Every year approximately 5 million homeless dogs and cats in community shelters and animal control facilities across the country are euthanized, many of them killed because pet owners are unwilling to care for them. And the reason for this “throwaway mentality” may be that people don’t put a high enough value on their companion pets because they acquire them too easily, says The American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA).

According to ASPCA Vice President of Animal Sciences Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, people usually value things that require an emotional and financial investment. In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, (NCPPSP), research shows that more than 65% of pet owners acquire their animals free, at minimal cost, and with little need to commit. The ASPCA says that more Americans than ever have pets they treat as family members, but the study shows a hardcore group continues to casually adopt animals and then just as quickly, abandons them at shelters.

“The only victims of this abusive cycle seem to be the animals,” says Dr. Zawistowski. “When people buy a home, a car or a computer, there is a massive effort to research and plan, to get everything right and make sure there is a perfect match. People are willing to go to incredible lengths for property in which they have invested a lot of financial and emotional resources. At the same time, they often fail to see the importance of making a comparable investment in a living being with whom they can have a emotional relationship.”

Acquiring a companion animal often requires little effort and commitment. For example, a quick review of any newspaper’s classified ad section will show dozens of free advertisements for cats and dogs. And when people go to shelters to adopt, they often pay a very low fee, knowing they can usually return the pet. The NCPPSP estimates the cost of an average pet (through a shelter or other low cost means) is approximately $48 dollars for dogs and $10 for cats. However, the annual expense of owning a pet can be anywhere between $100 and $600 dollars or more for food, supplies, veterinary care, training, and toys.

“This cost disparity is often at odds with the pet owner’s expectations and helps explain why some people don’t make the effort to keep their pets,” says Dr. Zawistowski.

Since it may not be realistic for shelters to charge the same high adoption fees as breeders, pet stores, or even breed rescue groups, the ASPCA points to educational efforts as the best way to help people understand the intrinsic value of pets as companions Adopting a companion animal should never be an impulse decision and should include research and planning.

Before adopting a new dog, the ASPCA says potential pet owners should understand these points:

- Animals are not disposable. Animals bond deeply with their families, and should not be thrown out like articles of clothing no longer in style. Adopting a dog means making a life-long commitment, which can be for 10-15 years.

- Don’t adopt a dog based on your immediate emotional needs. If you are going through a difficult emotional time, don’t expect your pet to act as your therapist and resolve the problem or act as a temporary buffer.

- Don’t adopt a dog because you feel sorry for the animal. If you feel sorry for an animal, make a donation to the shelter or to your favorite animal welfare organization. Pity is a poor reason for getting a dog. If you do, you may have to give up your new pet anyway, since a pity-based decision is not based on realistic expectations.

- Don’t use your pet as a tool to teach children responsibility. Using a pet as a tool to teach kids responsibility could end up harming the animal should the child fail to properly care for the animal. Dogs (or cats) are not tools, but live companions that the whole family should want.

- Your pet should be with you through all life’s changes, such as moving. Make sure you have a stable home and that you have worked through any apartment or landlord restrictions before adopting. It you have to move, you should consider your pet as important as your computer and make every effort to take your pet with you.

The ASPCA says that like anything worthwhile, adopting a pet is both a joyful experience and a serious responsibility.

“If pet owners are willing to make an investment that will result in a long and satisfying relationship with their companion pet,” says Dr. Zawistowski, “they will ultimately help reduce the amount of animals that are relinquished to shelters.”

 

For more information about the ASPCA, visit the Web site at www.aspca.org.