Some figures are chilling. The number of companion animals abandoned during the past year is one of them. In 2015, more than 140,000 animals were abandoned in Spain. Can you believe it?
There are several reasons why animals are abandoned. Generally speaking, a large proportion of abandonments have to do with owners becoming “bored” or fed up with having the animals. In many cases, owning animals is a fad rather than a conviction or a way of life. That is why, when “the novelty” wears off, many owners think it is better to get rid of their pets. And they abandon them. The inhumanity and irresponsibility of this act cannot be questioned.
Another reason put forward to “justify” animal abandonment is the economic crisis. There is no doubt that the crisis has hit many families and that keeping an animal requires a certain income. That is why many people, in lean times, abandon their animals and justify it by saying that they are “a luxury they cannot afford”. This is not entirely true, since nowadays there are numerous initiatives, such as pet food banks, whose precise aim is to ensure that financial circumstances do not force families to give up their pets.
Regardless of the reasons, the abandonment of domestic animals is punishable by law. Heavily so. The problem is that there is no nationwide law regulating this; instead, it depends on each autonomous community and its criteria. In almost all communities, however, it is considered a serious or very serious offense. Of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities, eleven consider the offense very serious; for three it is serious, and for another three, serious or very serious depending on the circumstances.
The fines imposed for this repulsive act are generally quite high. But even that does not deter some people from abandoning their pets. So if the law is not enough, action must be taken. And that is where animal shelters come in.
Animal shelters and adoption centers carry out many initiatives to promote adoptions… To give abandoned animals a family and a future.
The Fuenlabrada municipal animal center recently organized an open house so that potential pet parents could get to know the pets waiting for a home up close. Those with whom they felt the greatest affinity and where a spark developed could be adopted. After the event, 5 of the 35 pets had found a new family and regained hope.
The first pet adoption event was also held very recently in one of the European cities where the most animals are abandoned: Córdoba. Organized by Sadeco, the initiative involved 19 animal shelters. Its ultimate goal was to promote adoption, but also raise public awareness that dogs from kennels and those that have lived on the streets are perfectly suitable for adoption, just as much as one sold in a store. It also aimed to “prepare” people mentally to understand that when a puppy becomes an adult dog, it is still just as wonderful… only bigger.
In the town of Elda, the canine association Ascan, in collaboration with Juan Rico y Amat School, held the second edition of “Apérrate-adóptame”, another project aimed at promoting adoption and responsible animal purchasing among children. The event also included a basic obedience demonstration, a dog show, and the opportunity to adopt a total of 13 dogs. It concluded with a paella tasting as a celebration.
As you can see, animal shelters and associations are taking a lot of action. If you hear about an adoption event that will be held soon, share it. Together, we will bring down the shameful rate of animal abandonment in Spain!