The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has conducted a study that determines the factors causing the re-homing of cats and dogs in the U.S. and how the issue could be addressed.
The study revealed that an estimated 6.12 million households succumb to re-homing, or giving up on the care of their pets, every five years. This means that over 1 million do so each year.
"While some of the reasons people re-home their pets are quite complex and difficult to change, many reasons given by the respondents in this study might have been easily resolved through affordable, accessible veterinary care, pet-friendly housing and access to other supplies and resources," said Emily Weiss, vice president of research and development for ASPCA, according to The Street. "Knowing that many pet owners would've opted to keep their pet with them if they'd had access to such critical services illustrates the need for programs and services that intervene and reach these pet owners before they're forced to make this difficult decision. This is especially crucial in underserved communities where poverty rates are high and access to resources is limited."
One discovery made through the study is that people with incomes below $50,000 had higher tendencies to resort to re-homing of their pets to wealthier counterparts because of the expense needed in keeping a pet, as well as because of housing issues, ASPCA reported.
The study not only showed the difficulties that pet owners face in order to keep their pets; it also calls for resolve through better access to pet's needs. Instead of wondering how to handle the problems regarding the increase of pet population in shelters, there should be a reform to help owners keep their pets and prevent them from resorting to giving up on their furry friends.
The study is published in the Open Journal of Animal Sciences.
