Please, Don't Abandon your Pet
Many people find themselves with a pet they no longer want, or can no longer care for. A quick fix is often the person dumping the pet, or turning it loose to fend for itself. Both are cruel, and the pet seldom has a long life following abandonment. Additionally, in most areas, animal abandonment is illegal.
Declawed cats have almost no chance of surviving after being abandoned. They are targeted by other cats and dogs, as well they are at the mercy of coyotes, raccoons and other wild animals. A declawed cat cannot climb trees to get away, and many times in order not to look weak they attack first. Even a cat with claws is a target for other, healthy, pets and wild animals.
Abandoned pets soon make themselves unwanted pests. In some areas it is legal to shoot animals that wander onto a persons property. Even when it is not legal, this certainly does happen, as well people may put out poison for strays or set traps for them. A trapped stray might not always be disposed of humanely (or taken to the local shelter which is what should happen) some are killed, left in the trap, or driven to a remote area and dumped again.
Without care stray pets turn feral, reverting to wild behavior – often becoming distrustful of humans.
Abandoned pets have to find their own food, water, and shelter. In the summer they are plagued by dehydration and fleas, in the winter they are at the mercy of the weather and often suffer from frostbite.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amazoncares/84280418/ This poor abandoned dog is suffering from malnutrition, and mange.
Without an owner to care for them these abandoned animals have to find their own food. If they are lucky enough to find somebody who will feed them, it seldom is enough to keep them alive for long as they usually become infested with worms and other parasites.
Dogs who are dumped in the country will run for miles chasing the car that left them, or will sit, waiting faithfully for their owner to return. It is a misconception by city people that farmers will take in abandoned pets, most do not need any more animals and will kill animals abandoned on their property – that is if their resident animals do not already run the new comer off, or kill it.
Many people turn a blind eye to abandoned pets in their area, either they cannot catch them, or they simply do not feel it is their job to be responsible for somebody else's pet. As such an abandoned pet rarely has a long life after being dumped or set free. Many cannot hunt well enough for their survival and starve to death, fighting off disease, wounds, and parasites.
If you cannot care for your pet any longer, please take it to your local shelter and surrender it, or have it humanely euthanized by a veterinarian if you cannot find it a new home.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/breebailey/1065958067/ This is what happens to cats who are abandoned, lucky for this one somebody finally had a heart to help her. Yes, Beleive it or not, this cat is lucky.
If you find stray animals in your area, be aware they may have been dumped by their owner, or may have become innocently lost, in either case contact your local shelter and ask what should be done.
Be aware that in most areas you cannot keep a stray you find without reporting finding it to the local shelter first (this is in case the owner is looking for it – to prevent you from being charged with theft).
