How to Help Stop Pet Abandonment

If you’re like many pet owners, you probably can’t ever imagine giving up your beloved companion for any reason. After all, they’re part of the family! But despite 66% of households having at least one pet in the home (according to the American Pet Products Association), pet abandonment is on the rise. Animal shelters and pet welfare organizations have reported increasing intake rates in recent years in both the US and Canada.

While the statistics are heartbreaking, the good news is that there are actions everyone can take to help reduce the rate of pets who are abandoned or given up to shelters every year. It all starts with understanding the key drivers behind pet abandonment and how to reduce these risks from the get-go.

What shelter data shows

According to an annual report released by Atlanta-based organization Shelter Animals Count (SAC), more dogs and cats are entering US shelters than are leaving them. By the end of last year, shelters nationwide were experiencing their third consecutive year of excess animals and insufficient adoptions, particularly for dogs. Dog adoptions decreased by 1.2% compared to 2022 figures, despite a 2.5% rise in dog intake from January to September 2023.

Other notable insights from the SAC’s report include:

• 2023 was the first year (since SAC’s data collection started in 2016) that the number of euthanized dogs in shelters exceeded that of euthanized cats.
• 25% of animals in shelters were surrendered directly by their owners while 48% entered as strays.
• Return-to-owner rates among shelter animals decreased over the past few years, from 19.4% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2023.

Similar issues have been reported in Canada.

In an interview with Global News, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) executive director Deanna Thompson described abandonment rates that hit new heights in March 2023 and kept climbing throughout the rest of the year.

“We’re really operating at capacity all the time, and we want to make sure that we have the capacity to care for the animals that we already have. So, we have to turn away animals unfortunately or put them on a waitlist,” Thompson said in the interview.

Reasons why people give up their pets

A recent report from researchers at Veterinarians.org revealed several reasons why dog owners surrendered their pets between 2022 and 2023:

1. Dog behavioral issues
2. Dog did not get along with other household pets
3. Life change (pregnancy/birth, etc.)
4. Dog did not get along with human family members
5. Moving to a home that did not allow pets
6. New job not allowing time for pet
7. No longer able to afford pet food
8. Pet medical issues

According to Fortune, increasing return-to-office mandates are another reason why some workers are giving up their pets. Numerous other media outlets and animal shelters over the past year have also cited inflation and high costs of living as a key reason behind pet abandonment.

Ways to help stop pet abandonment

Reducing the amount of companion animals in shelters involves focusing on the reasons they are there in the first place. While circumstances can and do vary between pet owners, there are some things that can be done to help stop the rise of pet abandonment and keep dogs and cats in stable, loving homes. If you’re a pet owner, it all starts with leading by example.

Promote pet care education

Caring for a dog or cat is a big responsibility, and it’s one that no person should go into blindly. If anyone you know is considering adopting a pet, be prepared to answer all of their questions truthfully. Along with all of the wonderful things that come with having a pet in the family, be open and honest about the challenges that come with it. For example, all responsible pet owners must do the following:

• Ensure pets are properly trained and socialized (with other people and pets).
• Commit to taking pets to regular veterinary checkups and following through with any medical treatments they may need.
• Keep up with monthly flea and tick prevention.
• Feed pets a healthy diet and ensure they always have access to clean drinking water.
• Make sure pets get regular daily exercise.
• Provide a pet-safe environment in and out of the home.
• Consider pets during all travel, moving, work, and daily schedule planning.

Spay and neuter pets

There’s a reason why spaying and neutering has become standard practice among many animal shelters and pet owners today — it helps reduce the number of pets in need of homes. Despite pet ownership having risen in recent years, there are still millions of dogs and cats in shelters across North America. By spaying and neutering, these numbers can be better controlled.

Protect dogs and cats with pet insurance

Responsible pet owners budget for all the usual healthcare costs of dogs and cats, from routine vaccinations to annual checkups and monthly parasite prevention care. But surprise illnesses and accidents can and do happen, and they can come with costs pet owners aren’t prepared to deal with. A good pet health insurance plan can alleviate this by helping pay for unexpected veterinary care expenses.

Encourage responsible adoption

Adopting pets directly from shelters or ethical breeders both provides pets in need with new homes and discourages puppy mill practices. And seeing as pet medical issues are among the key reasons people give up pets, it’s worth mentioning that dogs and cats from irresponsible breeding sources (i.e. puppy mills) often come with higher risk of health conditions that can be costly to treat.

How to support shelters

Animal shelters often rely on donations to operate. Consider donating money, pet food, blankets, toys, or other supplies to support their efforts in caring for animals in need. Many shelters also readily accept volunteers in a variety of areas of their work.

Another way to help is to support legal efforts that help both shelters and pets in need. Stay informed about relevant legislation, and consider participating in advocacy efforts to improve animal welfare standards.

Remember; pet abandonment is a serious issue that takes a toll on animals and communities. While it may take a long time for things to improve, every effort helps.