They say a dog may be a man’s best friend, and so with cats as a woman’s best buddy. Ever wondered why there are many scattered animals in the streets wherever you go and wherever you look? Why is it so? Well, the number one reason is abandonment. According to the data of the Philippines Animal Welfare Society, around twelve million stray dogs and cats will roam the country in 2019 because animal shelters are overcrowded and it gradually increases each year. Thousands of animals are slaughtered in pounds each year, or die of sickness, malnutrition, or wounds sustained in fights.
Abandonment, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an act of leaving without providing protection, care, or support. This kind of act often happens to animals being left in the streets surviving the hotness and coldness of weather without a home and on their own. There are many advocacies made aim to put a solution to the problem of animal cruelty but the simplest way to address it is to adopt. Why adopt and what are the benefits of adopting stray cats and dogs? According to Animal Friends Pet Insurance, the number one reason is you are saving someone’s life. You are giving an animal the second chance it deserves. Many have been saved from awful situations such as brutality, neglect, and abandonment, or simply because their owners could no longer care for them due to illness or a change in circumstance. Several studies have shown that keeping a pet can help you live longer while also enhancing your happiness and health. It also aids in the treatment of depression, stress, anxiety, and a variety of other diseases. Dogs' affectionate and loyal character as pack animals that build deep bonds with their owners might benefit depression sufferers who may feel alone. While cats Having a cat may be a very rewarding experience. A cat has the potential to relax your nervous system while also providing an immediate source of entertainment and play. Cats are independent animals who like hunting and exploring on their own time, but they are also incredibly affectionate with their owners and anyone they trust. This is a relevant time where the pandemic strikes us and greatly affects our mental health status. They can provide us with psychological support. Additionally, adopting cats and dogs can benefit children. Pet ownership may teach children essential life lessons, such as the significance of taking care of one's obligations. Rehoming a pet will also foster empathy by causing children to consider how they assisted in finding a loving home for an unloved animal. Pets can help youngsters cope with separation anxiety and provide reassurance by reassuring them that someone will always be there for them. They can also be wonderful playmates and companions. Moreover, the majority of the animals are housetrained. Animals are frequently housetrained in their prior home, especially if they are older. They also provide unending love and loyalty where there will never be room for them to judge you. Their unconditional love not only makes you feel amazing but also boosts your self-esteem because of the affection they provide you. Animals are thought to recognize when they've been saved, so your attachment with your rehomed pet will be exceptionally deep. Lastly, it supports spaying and neutering. One reason why there are many stray cats and dogs is due to the uncontrolled population. Spayed or neutered pets add to the problem of unwanted animals, which can lead to more being abandoned at shelters. When you adopt an abandoned animal, you may rest assured that your new companion has been spayed or neutered to the extent possible. Adopting is also the face of supporting animals at all costs.
There is no government organization committed to their welfare such as providing them with low-cost medical care or a halfway house. To generalize, there is no permanent solution addressed to these “indigents”. They are unable to vote, communicate, or have their "rights" recognized by the majority of society. Nonetheless, their grief and suffering are just as real as yours and mine. They all deserve to be loved and cared for just like us, humans, because they also have a life to live. They never demand for food and often patiently wait for their owners to come home no matter how long you’ve been away leaving them all by themselves. They always offer open arms and warm welcome hugs no matter how long we keep them hanging. Isn’t that a great feeling?
Written by: Gladys Joy Romero & Jessica Rose Tumalip
Sources:
“Abandoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/abandoned. Accessed 17 Jun. 2021.
Barnard, Elena. “10 Benefits of Adopting a Pet.” Animal Friends Pet Insurance, 3 Feb. 2015,
www.animalfriends.co.uk/blog/10-benefits-of-adopting-a-pet/.
“STRAYS: Why Are There Stray Cats and Dogs?” Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS), pawsphilippines.weebly.com/strays-why-
are-there-stray-cats-and-dogs.html.
“Top Reasons to Adopt a Pet.” The Humane Society of the United States,
www.humanesociety.org/resources/top-reasons-adopt-pet.
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