Today we’ll talk about Stray Animals Day. He appeared relatively recently. Consider the causes of its occurrence.
The problem of homeless animals is acute in many countries of the world. Stray dogs and cats thrown into the street pose a threat to human security. But the fault with the owners of pets can not be removed. The classic appeal “We are responsible for those we tamed” becomes too relevant in relation to homeless animals.
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Since 1992, on the initiative of the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights, World Homeless Animals Day has been celebrated. When is it celebrated? August 20 Zoodefenders celebrate Homeless Animals Day; they conduct educational and charity events. Competitions, concerts, open lessons in schools, fundraising can draw attention to the problem. It is important not only to arrange shelters or sterilize cats and dogs, but to teach people to be responsible for their pets. World Homeless Animals Day was created precisely to awaken sympathy in the souls of citizens, to make them think about their attitude to surrounding creatures.
The animals are not to blame!
Society of dog and cat lovers of our country have joined the worldwide action. They celebrate Stray Animals Day in Russia. Studies show that at the moment in the cities and towns of our country there is no "clean line" of stray dogs and cats. Flocks of stray dogs are the work of living citizens. When buying a little puppy, a person rarely wonders how difficult it will be to keep an animal. Unable to cope with the troubles, he simply throws the unfortunate man out onto the street, relieving himself of all responsibility. Many times the State Duma introduced a law on the responsibility of owners for their pets.
There was a proposal for the mandatory registration of ownership of animals. But technical capabilities do not allow to mark a specific pet and correlate with its owner. Although if the ownership of the dog (cat) and the irresponsible behavior of its owner is proved, the latter may be administratively punished. Measures to bring the person to account are one-sided and do not work in most cases. The number of stray animals is growing every day. And if catching and cleaning are regularly carried out against dogs because of their aggressiveness and danger, then cats are deprived even of this.
The number of homeless pets is increasing
Volunteers and animal advocates open shelters. But for such a volume they are insufficient. Annually, up to 100 thousand animals are thrown onto the streets of our cities. About 35 thousand people suffer from bites of homeless animals. Since 1999, euthanasia for trapped dogs and cats has been banned in Russia. Sterilization measures did not bring the expected benefits. Growth is observed annually. Homeless Animals Day is the moment when you can draw the attention of citizens to the problem of homelessness of our smaller brothers.
On this day, some veterinary clinics conduct free sterilization at the request of the owners. This helps to at least slightly limit the contact of tiny puppies on the streets, who often die in natural conditions.
Shelters
In Russia, there are municipal and private shelters. You don’t even have to describe the conditions of keeping animals in state ones. The lack of allocated budget funds does not allow creating normal conditions for a large number of pets. The main goal of these establishments is to sterilize captured animals and, if transfer to possession is impossible, to release them back into the street.
Private shelters are maintained by caring citizens. Maintenance money comes from fundraising by volunteers and various charities. But even such animal lovers are not able to warm and feed everyone. After all, in addition to food, you need constant treatment and medical examinations, cleaning and care. Great help in working in shelters is provided by volunteers who find time for free work with animals. Each of us can come to a shelter in our city at any time and help for free. The owners of these establishments will gladly accept food and pet care products as a gift.
If someone is looking for a four-legged friend, then, turning to a shelter, he will be able to make the poor creature happy.
Some facts
- The first private shelter for homeless cats and dogs was opened in the Moscow region back in the 90s of the last century.
- The Law on the Protection of Animal Rights and Ownership Responsibility first appeared in the UK in the early 19th century.
- The oldest shelter in the world for stray cats, dogs opened in 1695. It contained about 50 thousand animals. In a way, this is a record that has not yet been surpassed by anyone.
- The most humane for animals is the legislation of Austria. Here, a ban has been introduced on stopping tails and ears, the use of various animals for performances in arenas, dog fights are strictly prohibited. Austrian laws prohibit even putting animals for sale in store windows.
- Monuments to dogs are not uncommon. In Edinburgh there is a monument with the inscription "The most devoted dog in the world." It is installed in honor of the sky-terrier named Bobby. After the owner’s death, the dog remaining homeless for another 14 years came to his grave.
Conclusion
Now you know when Homeless Animals Day is celebrated. Watching films about the tragic fate of animals, we empathize, and sometimes cry. But for some reason, we pass by a homeless hungry dog, not paying any attention to it. You can solve the problem of homeless animals only by cultivating compassion and responsibility in a person. No one except humans is able to help four-legged vagabonds and protect themselves and them.