Summer, that much-anticipated season for some… and so feared by others. Holidays are the most critical time when it comes to 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 taken in, as were 42% of the 33,335 cats. A shocking figure that calls for serious reflection before bringing a companion animal into the family, to understand the responsibility this entails. A figure that also requires the involvement of institutions, companies, and prominent individuals to raise awareness and combat this shameful statistic.
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 residents of Madrid to share photos on social media of their trips and holiday outings with their ARISTOPETS, using the hashtag #MiMascotaViajaConmigo.
Because if your furry friend or feline really is 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 quintessential pet-friendly airline, Iberia. Because, quite simply, you cannot imagine being apart from them. What would be the point of a holiday if you could not watch the hours go by while throwing the ball for your ARISTOPERRO? Would it be worthwhile if you could not watch your ARISTOGATO sleep for much of the day?
The campaign aims to combat abandonment, promote responsible ownership, and guarantee animal welfare. The goal is for the Community of Madrid to become an example for the rest of Spain’s regions in terms of respect for animals. This can be achieved with the cooperation of the 400,000 families estimated to share their lives with companion animals in the region.
This campaign is also part of a series of measures developed by the regional government to continue advancing its animal protection policy and promoting the adoption of companion animals. A commitment that reached its highest expression with the approval, exactly one year ago, of the Animal Companion Protection Act.
The new law enshrines the policy of “zero killing” of abandoned animals in the region, promotes the adoption and responsible ownership of pets, and toughens penalties for those who abandon or mistreat an animal.
In this regard, thanks to the work of public administrations and greater public awareness, in recent years the number of abandoned animals has been falling and, most importantly, it has been surpassed by the number of adoptions. In 2016, the region’s 95 animal shelters recorded a total of 5,148 abandoned pets, the lowest figure since 2005 —the year data collection began. However, during this same period, residents of Madrid gave 6,525 companion animals a new home.
Sometimes it seems that only grand gestures count, such as that of the philanthropist who gives a home to all the abandoned dogs in Ibiza. But the truth is that, little by little and through small everyday gestures, we all can help change things for our beloved animals. That is why a hashtag can become a new battle cry. So if you travel with your ARISTOPERRO or your ARISTOGATO, let the world know: #MIMASCOTAVIAJACONMIGO.
