A Crisis in the Animal World

Changes we would like to see implemented in our lifetime by the proper agencies accountable:

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1. Implement spay and neuter laws in every town, county, city and country. Every animal that is healthy and able, should be spayed or neutered. Period. There are spay and neuter programs in most major cities who can help if someone has fallen on hard times and cant afford to do this. If you are getting a new animal, your finances should be able to cover basic care which includes; spay/neuter, vaccines, flea treatment, yearly exams, even ear cleaning and nail trims (if you cant do this on your own). There are a few reasons we are currently in a shelter crisis due to overpopulation; irresponsible owners and not spaying and neutering your animals. Do better. Your veterinarian will advise you on a good time to alter your particular animal. Listen. If it is a larger breed and they suggest holding off until 1-2 years of age, then it is your responsibility as a pet owner to keep your animal away from other unaltered animals until they are fixed. No dog parks, no letting them run loose through the streets. There is no such thing as a accidental litter, only irresponsible ownership (unless you are told your animal is fixed and they are not, or the procedure was not done correctly, however both are rare excuses). Be a good animal owner or don't get an animal (no one is forcing you too). ​

2. Create a Licensed Breeder Registry in every country. Ethical breeders would pay a fee to be licensed, they would be added to a online registry where potential buyers could find their facilities. Every facility would be assessed before approval and would have quarterly check-ins by officials to ensure ethical practices and no over-breeding. If a breeder was not licensed and on the network, that would categorize them as a backyard breeder or puppy mill, to be reported and shut down by officials. Most ethical breeders have non-breeding contracts you must sign (you must get your pet spayed/neutered by a certain age), they vaccinate with the first 2 sets of vaccines, microchip and in some breed cases do bloodwork/x-rays prior to you taking your new animal home. Most ethical breeders have waitlists and only do a certain amount of litters per sire/dam. They will allow you to come and meet the parents and see where the puppies are being raised/born. They will have proper websites, and wont be advertising their litters on Kijiji, Used.com, Facebook Marketplace, etc.

3. Create a Animal Abuse Registry in every country. This would aim to prevent convicted animal abusers from buying or adopting new animals. Each individual would also get quarterly check-ins to make sure this is being upheld. If you see someone abusing their dog, report it. Many turn a blind eye because they are scared of retaliation or don't want to be involved. You are a citizen of this world, you are already involved.

4. For our SPCA's and Animal Control Agencies. We would like to see stricter conditions put into place for what an owner has to show to prove they are providing a quality life for an animal. Currently the check list consists of three major points; does the animal have shelter? food? water? With the current standing list, an animal can be tied up outside with a run down dog house, water nearby (unknown how frequently it is filled) and some food thrown on the ground, but have multiple health issues, are cold and miserable, have no love or engagement from the owner and this passes as adequate ownership or the owners are given a warning. We can do better than this, we must.

5. For Canada to END PET BANS IN RENTALS. In BC alone nearly 13,000 animals are surrendered per year because their owners can not find housing that allows them. Landlords should have the right to have a pet-deposit be paid, and to request that your animal is under control, not barking constantly, and is properly taken care of. To decline an animal all together should not be allowed, especially if it is a breed specific ban, instead of looking at the individual case presented.

6. Animals should not be allowed to be posted for rehoming or for sale on Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace or any sort of Facebook group that is not monitored closely for vetting criteria. This is how backyard breeders and puppy mills or irresponsible owners thrive, and the problems we are facing keep re-occurring. I see everyday people posting their animals (puppies/kittens all the way to seniors) for "rehoming" without vetting them or properly screening their new owners. Stricter criteria need to be put in place by these platforms. These people should be able to be reported to the city animal control - to have the animals confiscated and placed in a rescue.

7. For Emergency Services to all be equipped on how to handle aggressive/fearful animals. We hope that one day police services can all be stocked on the proper materials needed to handle animals in the cases of their calls. Police receive calls after hours frequently where the proper animal control agencies can not attend in a timely manner. Having a catch pole, leashes, treats in patrol cars and basic training on animal behavior may help protect both the officer and the animal in these cases. Most animals are just trying to protect their owner or territory, or are just scared, in both cases when emergency services need to get to root cause of their attendance, having these tools could help everyone involved. Police also receive calls for roaming animals that may be in traffic or injured, human matters need to be dealt with first, however in smaller agencies being equipped on how to catch animals may be beneficial to saving a life.