September 2020

Pets have accompanied us for centuries. They enrich our lives in many different ways. For some, they are a family substitute, for others they are their best friend or they provide entertainment in our free time.

So, why should we treat our companion animals more considerately?

"The companion animal market is thriving now more than ever with a combined annual value of 39.5 Billion Euros in 2018.”  (Fecava) At the same time pets are euthanized because the animal shelters do not have enough capacity, illegal puppy trade is booming and torture breeds are more popular than ever.
There are many more aspects to this, but we don’t want this to be a spoiler!

Continue reading to learn how to treat your animal friends properly.

Pets & Consumption

Domestication of wild animals began hundreds of years ago when early hunters trained dogs to detect, hunt and attack prey. By now, we have managed to domesticate a wide variety of animal species including reptiles, birds, fish etc primarily for companionship reasons. 

At the same time, in most countries animals are legally considered to be objects. We can consume them, we buy them. However, if we really want to live sustainably, we also need to rethink our relationships with our pets, our attitude towards the animals who share their lives with us. Are they only there for us or do we want to be there for them as well?

We've put together some thoughts to help you reconsider your relationship with your pet to become a responsible pet owner.

BEFORE GETTING A PET

The decision for a specific pet species is complex, manifold and depends on various factors. There are two things in particular that you should clarify first in the following order:

1. Does a pet suit you and your life?

2. Which type of pet suits you and your life?

FIRST CONSIDERATIONS

We have put together a few very basic questions that you should ask yourself when you are considering if a pet is suitable for you.

• Why do you want to have a pet?

  Be honest with yourself!

  → Are you looking for a friend for life?

  → Or is it just a fashion accessory?

• Does having a pet fit in with your long-term plans?

  What is the lifespan of your future pet?

  Where will you be in 2, 5 or 7 years?

  Will there still be room in your everyday life for your pet?

• What are your professional plans?

  Will you have to travel a lot?

  Who will take care of your animal?

  Are you in the office all day?

• How stable is your financial situation?

  Can you afford the necessary equipment and medical treatment?

  What if your animal becomes seriously ill and needs surgery or expensive medicine?

  Do you have an appropriate buffer in your household budget?

• Do you love to travel overseas for holidays?

  Who will take care of your pet?

  Do you really want to bring your pet and expect it to spend hours on flights, cramped in a transportation box?

• Do you have children?

  Is the pet suitable for a family and do you still have time to take care of the pet when having kids?

  Can the kids take over responsibility?

  You don’t have kids yet?

  Do you still have time to take care of the pet when having kids?

The meaning of having a pet

And remember: Pets are not gifts. Don't give them away for occasions like Christmas or a birthday. Especially for children this would be a wrong message.

WHY HAVING A PET

First, ask why it is that you want a pet? Animals are living beings that can think and feel.

→ If your pet really means something to you, keep it in a species-appropriate way and make sure that its natural needs are met. 
→ Don’t ever buy animals for social status or as decoration. They are not a disposable commodity. 

HAVING A PET IS A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

A major reason why we abandon our pets is because we do not necessarily consider our long-term plans when getting a pet.

→ Pets should be a priority while taking decisions, so you should ensure they always have a place in your home, even with major changes going on in your life. 

HAVING A PET IS A LIFELONG BOND

We need to take care of the pet throughout its entire life. Can we really do this?
Just consider the life expectancy of dogs, that is 10-13 years while cats can live up to 20 years. 

ACCOMMODATION & PETS

Because of work or family commitments we change our geographical center of life. Several challenges might appear, while searching for a new accommodation.

• Getting the papers and tickets ready to take your pet along can be tedious and expensive. 

• The animal breed might be banned in the new place. 

• Some landlords do not allow pets on principle.

• Is the area suitable for your pet? For example, dogs need a lot of exercise in the countryside.

WORK LIFE & PETS

What about your professional commitments and your career plans?

→ Ask yourself whether you can spend enough time with your pet, give it attention and ensure the pet is taken care of when you travel for work. 

HOUSEHOLD BUDGET & PETS

Can you manage the financial aspect of owning pets. Having a pet requires a lot of resources like food, medicine, toys and grooming equipment. Trips to the vet, vaccines, adoption charges, registration charges and taxes in certain cases are necessary for a pet.

→ Ask yourself “Do I have enough financial stability to ensure these needs are met?”
→ Make a financial plan and research the costs involved.
→ Stay realistic when calculating and consider to include proper buffers.

KIDS & PETS

Kids and pets actually go well together. Really? Dogs and children can often become good friends. There are even dog breeds that are called "family dogs". Rabbits, on the other hand, do not want to be lifted and are “flight animals”. Hamsters are active at night.

You don’t have children, but are you thinking about starting a family sometime? Will your pet still be alive at this time? And can you meet the challenge of taking care of your child and your pet?

PETS NATURAL NEEDS

As soon as you have made the decision to have a pet, you need to decide which pet is the right one for you. Consider that different species and breeds have different natural needs. As responsible pet owners we must strive to meet them to ensure a species appropriate pet life.
Take this this quiz from veterinary charity PDSA to figure out which species is the right one for you and what to consider before getting your pet.

ENVIRONMENT

Check if the environment around you is pet-friendly. Where do you live? In a little apartment in the city? Or in a house in the countryside? Animals must have enough room and shelter and the environment must be safe for the pets. 

Also consider the climate and geographical location. For example: Don’t keep a Husky in a hot region. These dogs are bred to survive in extreme cold. A life in heat is a torture for this breed.

DIET

Do you know the natural diet of your pet?
Inform yourself in advance. Food can be very expensive, depending on how much and what kind of food your pet needs.
Do you only want to feed highly processed food or do you want to feed your pet as close to its natural diet as possible?
Check the website of your national animal welfare organization, it will certainly offer some helpful tips.
Here you can learn more on Pet Food →.

HEALTH

Good health of the animals depends on a good diet, exercise and grooming routines. Do you have the necessary financial resources to provide these requirements? 

• Consider routine visits to the vet to ensure your pet receives the necessary vaccines and medications. 

• What about training activities for dogs? Some breeds are bred to move around a lot and to fulfill tasks like retrieving or herding and guarding. They wither mentally if you do not fulfill these needs.

• Some breeds are overbred and have unnatural hair growth. This occurs with dogs, cats, but also some guinea pig or rabbit breeds. Do you have the time to go trimming with your pet regularly?

BEHAVIOUR

Depending on what kind of pet you get you have to expect and handle certain behavior.

• Think carefully about which behavior suits you and fits into your life? 

• Ask yourself what behaviour could bother you and in turn, what is important to you?

Here are some examples to help you get started:

• Dogs need a lot of attention, care and communication. They will be focused on you and want to interact. You will be their pack.

• Cats, on the other hand, are very autonomous and independent. From whom they get food and cuddles is not that important.

• Birds want to fly and budgerigars, for example, live in a flock. Do you have the space for a large aviary?

SURROUNDINGS

Nature is exciting, beetles crawl past, falling leaves rustle and a cuckoo calls in the distance. Above all, there are constantly changing smells. Nature offers its inhabitants an explosion of sensory impressions. Does your apartment do that as well?

COMMUNICATION

Do you understand the “language” of your pet? Get familiar with the language of your pet. To really understand its feelings and needs, you need to know how to interpret its “language”, its behaviour.

Animals do not only communicate by voice, they also use body language, like us. Dogs can even read and understand our body language and our facial expressions.

COMPANIONSHIP OF CONSPECIES

Just like humans, certain animals crave bonds and love to socialize. Making sure they get enough attention and love is vital for their mental health and maintaining a good relationship with them.

Dogs are the only type of domestic animal that is satisfied with the sole company of humans. Studies show that dogs think of you as family and are wired to pick up emotional cues like love. However, arranging walks in the dog park and playdates with other dogs will keep them active and provide stimulation.

Nevertheless, as a human being, you are no substitute for conspecifics for most of our pets. For some small pets, like rabbits or guinea pigs it is necessary to live together with at least one fellow or even in a group, otherwise they suffer from psychological damage and loneliness when housed alone. These animals are social creatures and need attention and company of conspecies to thrive. This applies for chinchillas, female mice, or sugar gliders, as well. 

SPECIES & BREEDs

Before getting a pet, learn about the species that you are intending to buy, so that you can make a considerate choice.

WHERE TO GET INFO ON PET SPECIES & BREEDS

• Consult your local and national animal welfare organisations website to get first information on pets. Browse the web to find your local and national animal welfare organisation.

• Check out our article on Animal Charity → to learn about how to ensure that you consult a reputable animal charity.

• Check your libraries’ catalogue for specialist literature. 

EUROPEAN PETS

An estimated 85 million households (38%) in the European Union, own at least one pet. Data shows the most common house pet is the cat followed closely by dogs. Birds, small mammals like bunnies, aquaria and reptiles are also popular pets present in EU homes. However, dogs and cats remain the most popular pets with around 25% of homes having at least a cat or a dog, respectively, with Germany having the highest pet population.

• Belgium has good legislation when it comes to vaccination and private breeding, so consumers can be sure that the animals are treated fairly when they get pets from such breeders. 

• France has a good set of legislation present which protects animal rights. Adopting is the most common way to get a cat but dogs are mostly bought from the market.

• Italy is slowly tightening its animal welfare regulations and similar to France, adoption is the most common way to get a cat and buying is still the common way of getting dogs. 

• Legislation is not very strict in Romania when it comes to animal welfare. Data is also not available to track the thousands of abandoned pets and strays on the streets. Animal shelters are overburdened and government action needs to be swift to take control of the situation.

• Switzerland has one of the most effective set of regulations for animal welfare where a licence is required for private breeding of commercial breeds of cats and dogs.

GETTING A PET

If we want to get a pet, the main question is whether we want to buy or adopt one.
We've put together a few thoughts that you should think about before you make a decision.

BUYING A PET

Before you actually purchase a pet, prepare yourself to ensure you buy a healthy pet that comes from a trustworthy source, where animals are treated well and species appropriate.

It is possible to buy a pet from trustworthy sources?

→ Avoid buying from unverified breeders and stores.
→ Instead choose licensed certified professionals. Note, that breeder license and register themselves and the rules vary from country to country.
→ If you should witness a puppy mill or inappropriate facilities, report them to your national animal welfare organisation. They run hotlines and registers and will take action and provide advice on further procedure. 

To help you finding a trustworthy breeder, we compiled a list with questions, inspired by Four Paws and Top Dog Tips. Some of the following tips might be written for dogs exclusively, however they could serve as rule of thumb when buying other species.

What to watch out for?

→ Ask your national animal welfare organisation for guides specialised in animal species, to ensure you know in detail what to watch out for when buying a specific pet species.
→ Always buy from a licensed breeder. Breeders need to be registered and hold a breeding licence to be able to breed animals and sell them commercially.
→ Avoid buying pets through advertisements, newspapers, online and through some pet shops. Always go and see the breeder. 

Where to find licensed breeders? 

→ Ask your vet. A good and experienced veterinarian will likely have some information on a few local breeders in your area. You can also ask his/her colleagues for any leads.
→ Ask your local and national animal welfare organisation. They will provide lists, overviews and further information.
→ Ask another owner. If you have pet-owning friends, family members, neighbours or people you've seen around, particularly those with the species/breed that you want, ask them where they adopted their pets and if they can help you find local breeders in the area.
→ Ask local clubs. A lot of cities have fan clubs and breeder clubs for specific species and breeds. Contact them and ask for information regarding that specific breed. 

Prepare a list of questions

When you have found local breeders in your area, next, you must verify the quality of breeders you found. The first step is to go prepared with a list of questions regarding the breeder’s operation – their history, documentation, practice, dogs, etc.

→ Always ask to see their licence!

How is the breeder treating its animals?

→ Spend time with the young animal to ensure it’s the right temperament for you.
→ Ask to see the mother and siblings. If the breeder doesn’t let you view the pet with its mother and the rest of the litter, don’t buy.

Inspect the breeding facilities

Just asking the breeder is usually not enough for determining the quality of their operation – ask to inspect the facilities in which they are breeding, treating and raising their animals. All reputable breeders will be happy and will probably proudly show you around.

Demeanor & attitude of the animals

Don’t just look at the facilities in which they are keeping their pets – look at the animals themselves. If the animals look lively, healthy, relaxed and energetic, this means that they are being well taken care of and this should tell you that the breeder is trustworthy.

Number of breeds in the facility

Most reputable breeders focus on one or two breeds. For example dog breeders. This is because each dog breed needs very specific and personalized care. If you find local dog breeders that deal with dozens of different breeds, this more than likely means that they are a puppy mill that doesn’t take good care of their dogs.

Age & condition of the young animal

→ Check that the breeder has the correct paperwork for the animal, birth certificate, etc.
→ Make sure the animal is old enough to leave its mother. Puppies for example should be at least eight weeks old before they are given away.
→ Check the paperwork for its first vaccinations.

See how the staff behaves

It’s a good idea to wait and see whether people at the local breeder will offer to come several times and interact with the animal, if they offer to go see the animals’ parents, etc. If the people at the breeder are just trying to rush things and sell you an animal as soon as possible, don’t deal with them.

Confirm breeder's credentials

Always ask to see the breeder’s credentials – whether they are registered, their documentation on the animals’ lineages and breeds, their records for vet visits, etc. Look them up online and try to find as much information as you can.

Ask for references

→ Browse the web for references.
→ Most reputable breeders will have a reference book or records of their clients’ opinions and feedback.

Contracts & health guarantees

Lastly, never work with a breeder who doesn’t offer you a written contract and health certificates for the animals they sell you. When you find reputable local breeders, they're likely even to encourage you with all types of guarantees because they care for their animals' welfare.

Ask questions

Ask as many questions as you want – a reputable breeder should always be happy to not only answer all your questions, but offer you support with your new companion before and after the purchase.

Ask a vet in case of doubt

If you have any concerns, ask a local vet to accompany you when you make a second visit. It is worth the investment and will pay off for your entire relationship with your pet.

ADOPTION

Some European countries are adopting programs like “Trap-Neuter-Release” to handle their stray population. The idea is to catch strays, neuter them at the nearest veterinary facility and release them back to the streets.
This program aimes to stimulate the decline of the stray population on the streets in a more humane way rather than euthanizing the animals after capture.
However, this practice still leaves a considerable stray population on the streets. A way for us to combat this problem is to adopt pets from shelters making room for strays to be rehabilitated.  

WHY ADOPTING

We want to make the adoption of pets palatable to you and have compiled some of the benefits of adoption that might change your mind. 

Adopting a pet means “saving a life”

For most pets adoption can literally mean the difference between life and death. According to WSPA, as most animal shelters are already overcrowded, all but 5 European countries have legalized euthanization of healthy stray dogs. In such cases, healthy and sometimes young animals are euthanized if they are not adopted or reclaimed quickly. Thus, adoption can help save an animal’s life and also make room for another animal to be rehabilitated in the shelter at the same time.

Adopting a pet is cheaper

Pet influencers on social media are now strongly dictating the breeds of animals that people find appealing and this has significantly increased the costs associated with the purchase of these animals. This can be avoided by adoption which is done at a fraction of the price. There are some charges that you must pay for vaccines and medication but the overall price is very low for a new best friend. Ask your local shelter to put you on a waitlist if you prefer to have a certain breed of animal. 

Adopted pets are trained

Another advantage of adoption is that older pets are already house trained. In most cases, pets end up in shelters due to no fault of their own and the most common reason cited by owners while surrendering their pets is relocation to a different city. This means the animals are healthy and already house trained and the owners won’t face many issues when they bring the pets home.

Adopting gives us a sense of purpose

Overall, owning a pet has been linked to several health benefits like decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, better mental health and a reduced feeling of loneliness. According to CDC, pets also give their owners a sense of purpose which can lead to a more positive state of mind and a healthier lifestyle.

WHERE TO ADOPT

Pet adoption these days has become more accessible thanks to the power of the internet.

• How to spot your national animal welfare organisation?
  Wikipedia has compiled a list of the most popular animal welfare organisations in Europe.

• How can animal welfare organisations support you?
  Animal welfare organisations, such as Four Paws, provide lists of animal shelters sorted per country.

• Check the Animal Rescue Guide to spot European shelters in your country and area.

Check out our article on Animal Charity → to ensure that you consult a reputable animal welfare organisation.

Many small local shelters have their own private website and social media presence. Facebook for example has several adoption shelters pages that constantly update information about the animals available for adoption. Go, browse the web and research animal shelters in your area and the animals available. Some local shelters even host adoption events.

SUPPORTING SHELTERS

There are many reasons why we cannot or do not want to keep a pet.

• Your rental contract prohibits you from keeping a pet.

• A pet would be too big a financial burden for you.

• You or someone in your household has an allergy to animal hair.

• You cannot afford to spend enough time with a pet.

However, there are many more ways in which you can support companion animals. Here are some options to help you get started. 

FOSTERING

A good way to ease into pet ownership is fostering animals.The background is, that animals that don’t get adopted end up being euthanized. While no-kill shelters do exist, all but five European countries have legalized euthanization of stray dogs that are not reclaimed or adopted quickly. This can be prevented by fostering animals until they are ready to be adopted by the right person or family. 

→ Ask your local animal shelter if they are engaged in such a program.
→ A lot of places have Facebook groups that show what pets are available for fostering and for how long so it can be easily planned.

VOLUNTEERING

Consider volunteering for a shelter near your place. Most pet adoption centres are looking for volunteers to help them taking care of the animals.

→ Information about such volunteer opportunities can be found via local Facebook pages or websites.
→ Check organisations like Animal Courses Direct to find a volunteer position in an animal shelter within Europe.
→ You do not necessarily have to spend time with the animals. Maybe you have other skills and talents that you apply to support pets!? For example you could volunteer as Social Media Manager and support advertising the pets that are available for adoption on social media and sharing events that are taking place at the shelter to increase awareness and engagement. 

DONATING

Another way of supporting animal shelters is by donations. Adoption centres are usually in need of monetary support for maintaining good standards at their facility and to buy provisions for their animals. Mostly you choose between either a one-time donation or a monthly donation.

AFTER GETTING YOUR PET

Here you can find tips on how to take responsible care of your pet.

SPECIES APPROPRIATE HUSBANDRY

Husbandry is care and maintenance of domestic animals which includes diet and nutrition, grooming, breeding and veterinary care. 

TRAINING

Many pets need to be educated. Mostly this counts for dogs and cats. To life with a well behaved pet you need to train with them proper behaviour.

Here are a few general considerations that you should keep in mind.

• Consider that some of these activities may have to be introduced slowly to the pets so they can get used to them. 

• Get started with the training as long as your pet is young. Especially dogs are eager to learn and love to accomplish tasks. 

• Always work with positive reinforcement. Consult animal welfare organisations or animal trainers if something does not work out as planned/ expected. 

• Never punish the animal for failure. It does not misbehave just to tease you. There must be another issue. Take the challenge, dig for it. It is worth the effort! 

To know which kind of training is required for your pet, inform yourself thoroughly about species appropriate advice. Here is where you get proper information from:

• Browse the city library catalogue and borrow specialist literature about your pet species.

• Animal welfare organisations often offer a good first overview of what to consider when keeping our pets. Besides, they provide useful links to further experts and reputable online guide books.

• If you want to dive really deep into the subject, you can find scientific articles about keeping pets. Just enter the corresponding keywords into the web search.  

• Animal trainers and animal psychologists have a lot of experience with keeping animals. On their websites you can often find first good advice and tips.

GROOMING

Keep in mind that caring for your pet might be time intensive. Depending on the species and breed, grooming routine includes regular nail trimming, inspection and cleaning of eyes, nose, ears and mouth. 

• For pets with hairy outer coats, occasional baths, frequent brushing and other routine maintenance tricks will help keep the pets in better shape. 

• Brushing will help remove loose hair and dirt and keep the coat clean and smooth. 

• Shedding of pets is quite common and indoor areas might need regular extra vacuum cleaning.

PET FOOD

The strong domestication of our pets has led to some developing allergies and intolerances. More expensive special food might be necessary. Let your veterinarian advise you what your pet needs.

Go, check out which foods are not suitable for your pet. Just because we humans can tolerate a specific type of food, that doesn't mean that your pet's digestive system can handle it. A medium-term wrong diet can even lead to the outbreak of diseases. Those in turn might require intensive and expensive medical treatment.

Understanding pet food ingredients list

We love to spoil our pets with treats and high quality pet food but never check the packaging to see what our furry friends are actually consuming. Pet food usually comes from scraps or left overs from large meat processing factory farms. These food showed upon analysis that they are full of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and hormones and do not really provide the nourishment the pet needs.

“Pet food labelling falls under EU legislation for animal feed. It doesn’t have its own set of rules nor does it fall under the rules for human food. Some of the terms used are more tailored to the farmer than the pet owner. The law requires that the label contains certain key pieces of information including a list of ingredients (referred to on the label as ‘Composition’), additives and a nutritional analysis (referred to as ‘Analytical Constituents’) along with feeding guidelines.” (Fediaf)

Alternatives to conventional pet food

Consider to source pet food from more sustainable sources. Environmentally friendly pet food/treats can improve your pet’s health and reduce our negative impact on the planet. 

Organic pet food

Opt for organic pet food instead of conventional choices. Organic pet food contains safe ingredients that provide good nourishment for your pets and avoids the use of chemicals. 

• The crops used in the formula are free from pesticides, chemical fertilizers and the crops are grown naturally. 

• The livestock (cow, pigs, chickens, that serve as a main ingredient in the majority of pet food) are also treated more humanely and do not receive any growth hormones or antibiotics. 

• These chemicals would otherwise end up in pet food causing health problems for your pets in the long run and damage the environment at the same time. 

• Switching to organic pet food has known benefits for pets such as improved digestion, better immunity and better energy levels. 

• This has also proven to increase the pet’s longevity and reduces the number of trips to the vet. 

• Additionally, the environment benefits from the reduced usage of chemicals for growing the ingredients. 

Learn more about The Benefits of Organic Produce →.

Here is a list of organic pet food, to help you getting started:

• Benevo

• Biopur

• Defu (German speaking countries only)

• Organic Vet (German speaking countries only)

• Yarrah

Insect-based pet food

Do you keep a carnivore or omnivore? Have you considered adding insects on its meal plan?
Insects are packed with a good mix of amino acids, omega 3 oils and vitamins, providing a complete protein. Protein bars made from Edible Insects → are sold for human consumption. Some pet food brands offer options containing insects. Swapping regular treats with ones made from insects can have significant reduction of the impact on our planet, caused by pet food production.

Vegan pet food

Pet owners who are mindful of their consumer habits are also looking for environmentally friendly food for their pets which does not contain any meat. Though most pets are omnivores, switching a few meals during the week to vegan meals can reduce the impact of pet food. Major brands have a special line of pet food that source protein from grains and develop formulas that are more sustainable. Here is a list of brands that supply vegetarian pet foods worldwide:

You can find more information about vegetarian pet food on websites, such as Vegepets.

PET REGISTER

An important part of pet ownership is identification and registration of pets. In most EU nations the process of registering pets with a government approved database is mandatory and helps with responsible ownership.

How to register your pet?
After pets turn 3 weeks old, they are microchipped and must be registered at the vet, animal shelter or the breeder. The microchip is a tiny transponder device that holds information about the pet and the details of the owner. The chip should then be registered with a pet registry.

Why should you register your pet?
There are several reasons why you should register your pet.

• This system is extremely useful in reuniting lost pets with their owners. Learn more about What to do when you lost your pet →

• Staff, equipment and materials in local shelters are financially supported by the registration fees.

• Dog parks maintenance and educational media on responsible pet ownership are also supported by registration fees.

• Furthermore, they fund pet councils that scientifically research pets and raise awareness of responsible pet ownership among the masses.

THE LOST PET

An estimated 15% of pet owners lose their dogs/cats in a five year period. Microchipping pets and registering the pet is an important way of ensuring the pet can be returned home safely. Your address and contact information can be saved on the Registration Chip → so that you can get contacted by authorities when the pet is found. Here is what you can do in addition to look for your pet:

• Go outside, search the yard and the neighbourhood.

• Contact and visit local shelters and animal control units.

• Make use of social media to advertise your missing pet with a picture and the information where it got lost.

• Create flyers with the same information and paste them in the neighbourhood parks, grocery stores, bus stops etc.

REHOMING PETS

Giving up a pet is an emotional situation for both you and your pet. Always take responsibility for your pet and consider giving it up as a last resort only.

• Animals that come from loving homes will not understand why they are left in an unfamiliar place and lost their family. 

• They are known to undergo bouts of depression and anxiety when abandoned by their owners.

• Sometimes it makes it difficult for abandoned pets to trust the new owners after being adopted which can lead to behavioral issues that need to be worked on. 

• The whole experience can be devastating for our pets - especially for dogs, as they form deep and close bonds with their owners and feel attached to us. 

Pets must always be either rehomed or surrendered to responsible authorities, abandoning pets on the streets or nature is a criminal offense. 

HOW TO REHOME YOUR PET?

Here are some alternative solutions to be considered, before you bring your pet in a shelter:  

• Reaching out to trusted family members and friends who can look after your pet is the best option to rehome pets. 

• Are you facing financial  issues? Research the offers of local rescue groups and shelters. They sometimes provide assistance with buying food for pets and vaccines. Speaking to veterinarians can also be useful in finding resources needed to support the pets. 

• Reach out to other families looking to foster or own pets themselves. 

• Breeders can sometimes also take back pets depending on the age and health of the animal being surrendered. 

• Keep in mind, posting pictures of pets online or enlisting them on Craigslist may attract animal abusers and torturers. Choose well on which portals you offer your pet for sale. Don't give your pet to everyone. Take a close look at who contacts you and ask questions.

The final option could be to surrender pets to rescue or animal shelters. However, keep in mind, that many pets are often not adopted and end up being euthanized after the holding period has passed. 

Here are some charities that deal with responsible rehoming of pets in Germany and the UK.
Browse the web to find out if there is a comparable service available in your country. Also contact your national or local animal welfare organization to get help during the process.

WITNESSING ANIMAL ABUSE

Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Animal abuse or neglect is never justified and if somebody witnesses such acts they must report to the responsible authorities as part of their duty as responsible citizens. These acts can be witnessed first hand or on the internet and must be treated seriously.
But what can we do? We can spot and report animal abuse, to help the animals affected.

ANIMAL HOARDING

Animal hoarding is a form of abuse that is not deliberate and could be a result of mental disorders if done compulsively. Hoarding means that the owners have a high number of pets in their house and are unable to take care of and pay attention to the needs of all of them. This results in neglected animals without proper quality of life.

• Due to their sheer number the animals are often sick, malnourished and have severe sanitation issues.

• In many cases the animals are strays that have not been given proper veterinary care and can carry diseases which can easily spread to other animals crammed in the house.

• If animals die in the house, it is difficult to spot as the smell is masked by the strong smell of urine and feces that keep accumulating in the house.

• The owners fail to see how hoarding is harmful to the animals as they are extremely attached to their pets. 

Go, inform the authorities about animal hoarding. This way you save both the animals and the owner from harm. 

Learn More

Get additional information about Animal Charity → and Movies & Documentaries →
Check our sources: Bibliography →

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