The abandoning of pets has far-reaching consequences for the animals involved as well as for the community.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, shelters emptied as people isolating felt the need for companionship, adopting pets during lockdowns and working from home. But as the pandemic waned, and shelters filled back up with dogs and cats now deemed “inconvenient” and somehow disposable, the problem of pet abandonment has increased exponentially.
Pets are either dumped on the streets, left alone in vacant properties or remote areas, or dropped off to already overcrowded animal shelters. This can particularly be seen during the holiday season when some pets having been bought as presents and then are abandoned when the winter holidays is over.
Abandonment exposes dogs and cats to an uncertain fate, once on the streets they must fend for themselves and may suffer from hunger, thirst, injuries and diseases. As well as feeling distressed and confused because they have been left on their own in an unfamiliar place by their owner.
The Difference between Surrendering and Abandonment
- Surrendering
The surrender of dogs, cats and small mammals to a reputable animal shelter means that the animals will be taken care of, they do not have to fend for themselves, but they will be fed and have a warm place to sleep. The animals also have a much better chance of finding a new home through adoption. However, some shelters are overcrowded, or are lacking funds to take care of the animals well and may have to resort to euthanasia. Many have even had to post that they can not take in surrendered animals. This is not helped by the fact that some owners choose to dump their pets outside animal shelters or rescue organizations, in the hope that they will take care of them.
- Abandonment
Pet abandonment is different, it essentially means that pets are left to fend for themselves. They are either dumped on the streets or left in remote areas, where no one can see the pets being abandoned. Dogs and cats including puppies and kittens have been found in garbage bins, on motorways, or tied to park benches.
Consequences of and Penalties for Pet Abandonment
Generally, people that abandon their pets, know they are doing something wrong. They try to hide the fact that they are abandoning their pets. They do not want to be seen. It is rare that pet abandonment is directly witnessed. The pet owners tend to act when no one is around.
Furthermore, dumping animals has consequences for the community that many people are often unaware of: The animals may pose a road safety risk if they run out in front of cars searching for their owner. They may cause a ‘nuisance’ to the community searching for food, barking at other dogs, or even biting someone due to feeling unsafe.
Dumping a pet can for some owners be very upsetting and have a long-term impact. It can push the owner and their family into an emotional crisis. Especially children suffer when their pet is suddenly taken away from them. Many people who have surrendered their animals to animal shelters feel guilty and ashamed as if they had failed and betrayed their pet, who depended on and trusted them.
In many countries and states, pet abandonment is an illegal and a punishable offense. These laws are mainly covered under the animal welfare acts of various countries. For example in California, according to CA Penal Code Section 597s, anyone who willfully abandons an animal is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1000 and up to 6 months in jail. In Oregon, Pet Abandonment is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1000 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
In fact, in nearly all 50 states, “abandoning” an animal is classified as animal abuse, a criminal offense. In the state of Massachusetts, for example, it’s considered a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $2,500. In Arkansas, depending on the specific circumstances and the level of “cruelty” involved in how you treat or abandon your animal, the charge will range from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony with a possible six-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.
Humane Alternatives to Pet Abandonment
If you realize you’re no longer able to provide proper care for your animal, you may start considering your options for rehoming them, including considering factors like the legal and ethical implications of the options you want to pursue.
Rehoming
If you have the time and resources, rehoming your dog or cat may be a kind way you can give them a new place to live. When you rehome, you’re giving your animal up for adoption directly to its new family. If you have a trusted friend or family member you know can provide your pet with the love, attention, and care it deserves, that can be an especially humane way to relinquish your ownership.
Giving your animal to a stranger can be a lot riskier, and some local city laws may dictate how you’re allowed to do it. It’s generally advised to charge some kind of small fee to rehome them, so you reduce the risk of someone just picking up a free animal they may not be able to afford or commit to. You should ask them questions about their experience with pets, and be honest about your surrendered pet’s habits and personality to improve the odds of a good fit.
Surrendering to a No-Kill Shelter or Animal Rescue
If you don’t have the time or ability to rehome your pet directly, surrendering them to a no-kill shelter or animal rescue group might be a safe option. Make sure you research the organization you plan to leave your animal with; understand their adoption policies for rehoming and the nurturing support your pet will receive while with the organization. Note which shelters in your area euthanize animals as a solution to over-crowding, as you create the risk your pet will be put down if it’s there for too long. In areas where animal shelters are especially overwhelmed, the time limit before euthanasia can be very short.
In a worse-case scenario where you need to get rid of your pet immediately, some public rescues and shelters will allow you to drop off your pet after hours. They may even have a specified drop-off area. Some shelters won’t allow this, however, and just leaving your pet there can constitute abandonment.
There are so many different ways you can safely surrender a dog or cat, so the illegal act of abandonment should never be a consideration.
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