Summer, that much-anticipated time for some… and much-dreaded for others. Vacations are the most critical time for animal abandonment. According to the latest data, between May and August of last year, 34% of the more than 104,000 dogs abandoned throughout 2016 were collected, as were 42% of the 33,335 cats. A chilling figure that demands serious reflection before bringing a companion animal into the family, to understand the responsibility this entails. A figure that also demands involvement from institutions, companies, and people with certain relevance, to raise awareness and combat this shameful figure.
In this regard, the president of the Community of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes, recently presented a campaign against pet abandonment, especially during these summer months. The campaign encourages all Madrid residents to share photos of their trips and vacation outings with their ARISTOPETS on social media with the hashtag #MyPetTravelsWithMe.
Because if your furry friend or feline is truly your best friend, if you love them and need to have them close, whenever possible you take them with you. In the car, on the train, by boat, or by plane thanks to the pet-friendly airline par excellence, Iberia. Because, simply, you can't imagine being separated from them. What would be the point of a vacation if you couldn't spend hours throwing the ball to your ARISTODOG? Would it be worth it if you couldn't watch your ARISTOCAT sleep for much of the day?
The campaign's objective is to combat abandonment, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure animal welfare. To make the Community of Madrid an example for other Spanish regions to follow, in terms of animal respect. Something that can be achieved with the cooperation of the estimated 400,000 families who share their lives with companion animals in this community.
Likewise, this campaign is part of a series of actions developed by the regional government to continue advancing in animal protection policy and the promotion of companion animal adoption. A commitment that reached its maximum expression with the approval, a year ago, of the Companion Animal Protection Law.
The new regulation enshrines the policy of "zero sacrifice" for abandoned animals in the region, promotes adoption and responsible pet ownership, and stiffens penalties for those who abandon or mistreat an animal.
In this sense, as a result of the work of administrations and increased social awareness, in recent years the figures for animal abandonment are decreasing and, most importantly, are being surpassed by the number of adoptions. In 2016, the 95 animal shelters in the region registered a total of 5,148 pet abandonments, the lowest figure since 2005 — the year data began to be collected. However, during the same period, Madrid residents gave a new home to 6,525 companion animals.
Sometimes it seems that only grand gestures like that of the philanthropist who houses all abandoned dogs in Ibiza count. But the truth is that little by little and with small daily gestures, we can all contribute to changing things for our beloved animals. That's why a hashtag can be a new battle cry. So if you travel with your ARISTODOG or your ARISTOCAT, let the world know: #MYPETTRAVELSWITHME.
