A thought provoking article by Jessica Crawford.
This beautiful cat looks uncared for.
Would you throw your pet away because you have failed to communicate and teach this dependent creature the rules? Do you think that would be cruel and abusive action and that no pet owner could do such a thing?
I hate to burst your bubble, but we are living in a disposable world and throw-away pets are filling up shelters and rescue havens by the millions each year. People no longer feel responsible for anything, including pets and other people. This attitude has reached epidemic proportions!
We want to believe the majority of pets are sheltered, fed, protected, and have good living conditions. However, irresponsible owners decide the pet is no longer wanted, a nuisance, or perhaps cramped the owner’s lifestyle. “Throw-Away” pets are becoming all too common in the United States.
The “used-to-be” pet finds itself left behind or abandoned on the street, or caged in a shelter among many other unwanted souls in a shelter. The once loved pet is now lost, afraid, and confused, and is facing a harsh and cruel world.
The pet is expected to know that food that does not come from a box or can. This animal has to immediately learn “street-smarts” and fight to its own survival in an unknown environment. The “throw-away” pet is without a voice and has no choice or control over human actions.
The “use-to-be” pet has a small chance of being welcomed into another home. But, most likely, the animal’s fate will include hunger or starvation, disease, abuse, animal attacks, highway traffic, and loneliness. For reasons it cannot understand, there are no kind or gentle voices anymore.
How can you avoid becoming a throw-away parent? If you are thinking about getting a pet, consider your lifestyle, and then learn about the needs and characteristics of the type of pet you are considering. Go beyond that cute, fuzzy-whisker-face, or that furry-tail-wagging yapper! Learn as much as you can about your possible choice before you make the final decision. Go to the library or the Internet, read books, watch videos, and talk to other pet owners. Determine if you will be able to commit to the needs of owing a pet. Pets require a safe, healthy environment, a nutritious diet, routine medical care, training and companionship woven with love, praise and affection.
If you have a pet and you are frustrated because the dog isn’t doing what you expect, or the cat isn’t communicating with you, or the bird just sits there and doesn’t sing — chances are, the problem is you, not your pet. Take the time and make an effort to learn about your pet. If you expect your pet to be a responsive companion, you must properly communicate and then show your buddy the ropes — teach and help him/her to communicate with you.
Cats deserve the love they return.
A pet is not something to be enjoyed only when you feel like it, and then put it away or ignore it when you don’t. All pets are living beings with likes, dislikes and needs (just as you). Dogs for example, don’t train themselves! Have you ever said, “I tell my dog to come here, but he won’t listen,” or “I tell my dog to stop digging, but he digs anyway!” Well, that’s your fault, not the dog’s! Every pet needs qualified training; it’s part of the communication process. And proper training is the best problem solver.
Perhaps your best friend is a feline and you originally made that choice because you heard people say, “Cats don’t need much care, they are independent and they use litter boxes!” But most cats like company and are sociable; they like to help you with your activities, like reading the paper, working in the kitchen, or crafting projects. A cat loves to get in the middle of things — to be part of the activity, and unknowing owners can become frustrated if they don’t know how to acknowledge these actions and satisfy the pet’s need for attention.
Dogs may chew a sofa to shreds and cats can scratch or claw. Owner’s have been known to hit or yell at their dog because a material object was defaced or ruined by chewing. Abusive techniques only teach the dog to become fearful. Some cat owners have their pets declawed to save the furniture – only to lose the cat if he/she goes outside because his natural means of defense no longer exists. Hitting or beating a dog, and declawing a cat are cruel and unacceptable.
Your pet is without a voice and looks to you for their well-being – you brought them into your home – they did not ask to be with you! Don’t be a throw-away pet parent — learn the responsibilities of pet ownership and commit to them. If you can’t or refuse, then don’t get a pet!
